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INVESTIGATOR: Walker, C.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
SOUTHERN UNIV
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70813

DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING MODULES FOR ASSURING ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN RURAL LOUISIANA

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The project will incorporate science and math using practical agricultural examples and terminologies to reinforce learning of science and math concepts. We will use extensive practical science and math activities to demonstrate that these disciplines are integral components of the FAS. The proposed project provides for a summer academy annually to expose at least 30 high school students to the science of agriculture.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the project are (1) to design learning modules in science, math, food and agricultural sciences (FAS), (2) to determine the effectiveness of learning modules, and (3) to implement a FAS Academy during the summers. The intended outcome of the project include (1) a change in knowledge when at least 300 middle school students will learn and enhance their science and math skills, (2) a change in action will occur when at least 80 summer high school students will have a change in knowledge of biofuel and FAS programs, (3) at least 300 middle school students will participate in the program's garden project as a means for bringing awareness to eating healthy and obesity prevention, (4) at least 200 of the middle school participants will, after participating in the garden project, acquire new knowledge of science and math while learning the importance of healthy eating and nutrition using fresh garden products, and (5) the practical hands-on demonstration activities that will make science and math more practical rather than abstract. If the project is successful, many of these students will help increase the number of high school students enrolled in our land-grant universities