To create an environmental-conscious future for Tennessee’s agricultural production, it is vital to educate communities about crop improvement endeavors whilst also promoting career opportunities in the sector for young people in the state. In 2020, Dr. Ahmad Aziz and his colleagues at Tennessee State University launched an innovative project designed to address both of these issues. Funded by the USDA/NIFA 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grant, they sought to address the critical need for high-quality agricultural education at various levels. Read More
Their objectives were twofold. First, they wanted to increase participation in an agricultural and environmental science integrated project from communities across Tennessee using a state-of-the-art mobile STEM education lab. Second, they aimed to develop interdisciplinary curricula which would deliver varied and well-rounded outreach education.
At the heart of this was a commitment to cover all fundamentals of relevant scientific processes in plant genetics and agricultural biotechnology. The proposed molecular research and training were designed to provide a robust foundation for students at various educational levels.
However, as with many educational initiatives in recent years, the project faced the unexpected challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the destruction of the mobile education trailer by a tornado on March 3rd in 2020. The original plan to conduct in-person teaching activities had to be swiftly adapted to meet the reality of remote learning.
Dr. Aziz and his colleagues pivoted to develop online DNA-fingerprinting courses for secondary school educators. This shift not only ensured the continuity of the educational program, but also opened up new avenues for hands-on learning in a virtual environment. Collaborating with the university’s Media Centre Coordinator, the team embarked on an ambitious project to create 100% online content, featuring 3D scans of DNA puzzle pieces for interactive activities.
The result of this adaptation is a series of cutting-edge online resources now available to educators and students alike. Three interactive instructional modules using DNA puzzle pieces for forensics fingerprinting have been developed and made accessible online. These modules, designed for grades 9 to 12, offer a unique blend of agricultural technology and applications, bringing complex concepts to life.
Each lesson in the series – from solving plant-forensics cases to exploring genetic markers – provides students with hands-on experience in applying scientific principles to real-world scenarios. The 3D scans of DNA puzzle pieces, embedded within these educational modules, offer an immersive learning experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
This innovative approach to agricultural education paves the way for a more accessible and engaging form of STEM education. By leveraging technology to bring complex scientific concepts into the virtual classroom, Dr. Aziz and his team have created a model for agricultural education that will inspire and educate a new generation of scientists, researchers, and agricultural professionals.
