Name
Educators Empowering Educators: Intentional Design in Connecting Scientists and Teachers
Date & Time
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Daniel Foster
Description

Educators play a pivotal role in helping students recognize agriculture as a dynamic discipline through which they can address global challenges they care about, such as food insecurity and climate change. It is critical to equip educators with the global knowledge and skills required to inspire and develop the future agricultural workforce to take on pressing global issues. Anchored in the <Organization Name>, Educators Empowering Educators (EEE) addresses the urgent need for professional development that provides teachers with tools to integrate global agricultural literacy into their curricula. Cohorts of experienced secondary educators from diverse disciplines explore complex agricultural systems, sustainability challenges, and methods for teaching systems thinking. EEE connects educators with leading university agricultural science researchers to transform cutting edge agricultural research into actionable learning experiences. The initiative emphasizes a "train-the-trainer" model, where selected educators form collaborative teams to design, test, and disseminate professional development resources for peer educators. These outputs include digital modules with micro-credentialing, virtual workshops, and in-person sessions, all targeting the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Priority Areas. By aligning with principles of adult learning and situated cognition, EEE supports teachers as active partners in their professional growth, nurturing the development of enduring, high-impact teaching practices. EEE's innovative framework promotes global agricultural literacy through immersive learning experiences and digital platforms, engaging educators across 48 countries. These efforts are enriched by partnerships with industry leaders and global networks, enabling educators to inspire students to view agriculture as an interconnected system shaping economic, environmental, and social landscapes. Ultimately, EEE not only empowers educators but also catalyzes their role in cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators, bridging the gap between agriscience research and meaningful community impact.

Location Name
British Columbia/Alberta/Yukon Ballroom
Full Address
The Westin Edmonton
10135 100 St NW
Edmonton AB T5J 0N7
Canada
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Topic(s)
Practice of Teaching
Number
227
Authors

Daniel D. Foster, Pennsylvania State University
Melanie Miller Foster, Pennsylvania State University