USDA Future Scientists Program: A Two-Day Science Workshop

The Future Scientists Program is designed to assist USDA/ARS Laboratories in connecting to local communities and schools. The goal is to inspire teachers and students to explore STEM-based science, develop student potential and to encourage students to pursue science courses in college and ultimately enter the science career pipeline as Future Scientists.

Over the two-day workshop, participants will learn about:

• Digital microscope technology
• Fermentation (vegetable preservation by acidification) 
• Insects
• Soil science
• Food Science
• Monarch butterfly populations and migration
• Row crop genetics (soybeans and corn)
• Drones
• NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom program

Participants will receive:

• Free scientific equipment for your classroom with total value of $150! (digital microscope and soil sieve stack)
• 2-day immersive science professional learning/development
• Handouts and educational materials
• Lunches and snacks
• Hotel accomodations for one night (July 31, 2023), if applicable/needed
• A classroom visit to NC State University Schaub Food Science Building
• A visit to your classroom by a scientist

• This workshop is for North Carolina licensed middle school science teachers only.
• Full two-day participation is required.
• You are responsible for your own transportation during the two-day workshop (to NC State University in Raleigh, NC and Central Crops Research Station in Clayton, NC)
• There is an application process for this workshop. You will be asked to share the following:
  1. Why you are intereseted in this opportunity.
  2. How you highlight agriculture and/or STEM concepts in your classroom.
  3. Provide examples of how you facilitate agriculture and/or STEM concepts in your classroom.
• Participants will be selected and notified by June 30, 2023. Full agenda and workshop details will be shared with selected teachers.