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| Above: FFA Students gathered in uniform at the Nebraska State FFA Convention 2014. Photo Credit: Craig Chandler, UNL Communications |
Raising awareness about biofuels has always been a key CenUSA
goal. Over the past four years, CenUSA has partnered with Purdue University,
the Indiana 4-H chapter and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) to create standout
educational programs that create unique opportunities for students outside of
the classroom.
“Our goal is, contextualizing STEM concepts and integrating
them into an agricultural context,” said Matt Kararo, a CenUSA supported
Doctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Youth Development &
Agricultural Education at Purdue University. Kararo has helped develop CenUSA Bioenergy youth outreach materials
as part of an interdepartmental team working on Objective 9 of the grant, and
is evaluating the 4-H science workshop and the walking tour as part of his
dissertation research. “I’m translating
scientific research so that the general public can utilize that information to
benefit their daily lives,” said Kararo.
Kararo worked with CenUSA and 4-H to organize a Renewable
Energy workshop held June 10-12 at the Purdue campus. High school aged 4-H
members had the chance to attend this interactive workshop to learn more about
switchgrass and other biorenewable fuels. Keith Johnson, Professor of Agronomy
at Purdue and part of CenUSA’s Outreach and Extension Team, directed the
workshop. “We had different varieties of big blue stem and indian grass to
compare,” said Johnson. “We will look at what does it take to establish and
grow and what the conversion process will be. We will have the opportunity for
them to see plants in the field in season.”
CenUSA’s Indiana educational efforts this summer will include
the construction of two new exhibits, one in Trafalgar, Indiana for FFA youth
and the other in Roann, Indiana for the general public. CenUSA’s research on
switchgrass and other biofuels will be the primary focus of each of the
exhibits.
“It’s a really interactive way for the youth to learn about
what is going on with the CenUSA’s project,” said Kararo. The exhibits will feature
the latest technology to enhance the classroom experience. “There will be
switchgrass, big blue stem, and indian grass,” said Kararo.
In addition to signage, students will have access to electronic
supplemental materials on tablets that they can take out to the fields with
them displaying information and or photos for each part of the exhibit.
The 4-H Youth Round-Up, a STEM educational event, will be
held June 22-24 is another great event to look forward to. Eighth-graders and
ninth-graders from across Indiana, will attend the Round-up, participating in a
variety of STEM workshops and living in dorms, like college students for three
days. CenUSA will offer a renewable energy track. “I created a Renewable Energy
track in which I am giving them CenUSA information that hopefully inspires them
to continue along and pursue a STEM field,” said Kararo.
“With the youth, the objective is career awareness in
renewable energy,” said Kararo. The programs are sure to peak the curiosity of
young students, and alert them to possibilities of jobs in this field. This
takes knowledge out of the textbook and into the real world to show students
that scientific research is interactive and exciting.
Purdue’s educational programs are an asset to CenUSA. “We
will show the greater impact that the extension type of outreach program can
have,” said Kararo. They are great examples of how education prepares the
younger generation and ensures a brighter future for us all.
