The 2018 CASE Institute: What a blast!

The participants of the 2018 CASE Institute.

The 2018 CASE Institute has come to an end, and our participants from all over the country have come out more confident, prepared, and certified to deliver proper instruction on mechanics and technology to their students.

This year's CASE Institute was held at Cumberland Valley High School and hosted by #psuaged alum Ms. Darla Romberger (@DJR_131). The institute ran from June 17th to the 28th, where participants were able to be certified through CASE's Agricultural Power and Technology curriculum.

Over the course of two weeks the program covered 180 days of curriculum, and included topics useful to any agricultural teacher such as shop safety, machine and tool operation, fabrication, energy and power, and more! Attendees got to not only practice themselves, but learn how to meaningfully teach on these topics.

CASE provides 10 courses that fall under four major pathways covering almost every aspect of Agricultural Education. Each of these courses aligns with national standards for agriculture, science, mathematics, and English language arts. The Agricultural Power and Technology course is just one of the many courses that Penn State will continue to help provide for pre-service and in-service teachers.

Follow us on Twitter (@TeachAgPSU) and Facebook to stay up to date on all of the professional development opportunities that Penn State Teach Ag offers, and be one of the first to hear about the 2019 CASE Institute!

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

 

Hunter Kauffman, Student Blogger 

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

Email: hlk5120@psu.edu

Guest Blog @allyson_balmer: CASE Institute 2017 - Welcome to Professional Development

My name is Allyson Balmer and I am a rising senior at Penn State University majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education. I am a member of the 2018 cohort and will be student teaching this spring with Gretchen Dingman at Tri-Valley High School.

A few weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to attend a CASE (Curriculum in Agricultural Science Education) Institute and get certified in the Natural Resources and Ecology curriculum in Pontiac, Illinois.

The institute lasted 10 days, where the class of agriculture teachers, from various states, went through the entire course in that amount of time. As I went through the course, I played the role of a student and filled out the entire student binder and all the worksheets. My lead teachers would check certain lessons that had to be done proficiently and at the end of the 10 days, I was certified. This certification will always stay with me, as I now have the entire teacher and student curriculum.

Here are a few things I learned while at my CASE Institute:

1. Agriculture Teachers ARE Science Teachers.

In every agriculture class there is some aspect of biology, chemistry, etc. that is reiterated and brought to life at a hands-on level. Thus, we, as agriculture educators, need to take that seriously so that we can continue to be respected among academia.

For example, if there is a lab activity for students to conduct, we need to make the experience as "real-life" as possible. This means using glass beakers, flasks, graduated cylinders, pipette droppers, microscopes, and other scientific lab equipment whenever possible. Enough with using Dixie cups. Let's show the other academic areas that we too can put science literacy and skills into our agriculture curriculum.

By doing this, students feel more valued, that their work is important, and that their development in all STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics) fields is a priority to agriculture education.

2. Inquiry-Based Instruction/Self-Directed Learning

Throughout my collegiate career, the topics of self-directed learning, growth mindset, and inquiry-based instruction have been the focus of a variety of classes. There is a central theme, a shift to student-centered learning where the teacher is a guide/mentor/facilitator. Students are encouraged and challenged to ask why, think at a deeper level, and become less dependent on the teacher.

In CASE, this is a highly important component to both understand and practice in the classroom. This curriculum is designed for student discovery by following the step-by-step procedures provided in their student binders. This means less spoon-feeding, developing students who can problem-solve on their feet, and creating hands-on and real-world application even in a classroom setting.

This experience was an opportunity of a lifetime for a pre-service agriculture teacher as I made new connections, gathered ideas from other agriculture teachers nationwide, and now have an incredible curriculum to use while student teaching and beyond.

Allyson Balmer
Penn State University
Agricultural and Extension Education
2018 Student-Teaching Cohort at Tri-Valley High School
Twitter: @allyson_balmer

2016 Impact FFA CASE Institute Scholarship Recipient: Katie Andrews!

Katie is a 2016 student teacher.

As pre-service teachers there are many ways future agriscience teachers can develop themselves professionally to set them apart in the field. For one of our Teach Ag! Stars, this has been a goal since day 1.  "Pursuing a degree in Agriculture Education was my goal since day 1 of freshmen year. Preparing agriculturally aware and competent students with 21st skills to be successful in anything they decide to do is my passion. Penn State has provided me with endless opportunities to maximize my skills and knowledge and I am excited to provide the same opportunities for students.”  A senior in agricultural education and  minors in International Agriculture and Agriculture Business Management, her next accomplishment comes as no surprise!  Congratulations to 2016 Impact FFA CASE Institute Scholarship Recipient Ms. Katie Andrews! 

Katie has been student teaching at Big Spring High School.  At Big Spring she has been able to teach the CASE Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources curriculum and has found many crossovers with science and math principles.  Katie says " Case does an excellent job of integrating STEM into the curriculum and it's adaptable."  To further develop herself professionally, and add another tool to her tool box as a teacher, she looked for opportunities to be certified to teach with CASE curriculum.   For the FFA Impact scholarship, she was one of four students to receive this honor.  Katie said "this scholarship will assist me with supporting my curriculum development as a new teacher."

CASE or Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education, provides materials, and education materials to students and teachers to "enhance the rigor and relevance of agriculture, food, and natural resources subject matter. CASE uses inquiry and problem, project and activity based lessons.  Each CASE lesson is aligned with math and science standards.  In order for a teacher to utilize CASE curriculum, it is necessary that they attend a CASE institute offered every summer.  

Sherisa Nailor, Katie Andrews & Sarabeth Fulton

As student teaching is nearing an end Katie reflected on the experience she has had at Big Spring.   She told us that her mentors and her students are her biggest supporters.  Katie said "the people you surround yourself with in life will gauge your happiness and who you are."  Her two mentors have provided her support, encouragement and professional growth.  Katie's cooperating teachers, Ms. Sherisa Nailor and Ms. Sarabeth Fulton are "excelling in their profession and care endlessly for students."  And Katie can't say thank you enough!  

If you would like to read more about Katie and her preparation for student teaching, check out her bog at: http://kickinwithkatie.blogspot.com/ or connect with her on twitter @klandrews_24.  

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

PSU CASE Institute: The Host School Perspective from Cumberland Valley! #case14asp

As the summer was winding down, the Center for Professional Personnel Development and the Cumberland Valley Agriculture Department were putting the finishing touches on the plans to host a Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Summer Institute. The institute hosted this year was Agricultural Science--Plant to complement the previous institutes offered in 2012 (Agricultural Science-Animal) and 2013 (Introduction to AFNR), respectively. With 17 Agriscience teachers from 7 states registered and 2 fantastic lead teachers in place, #case14asp hit the ground running on August 3rd and continued until August 13th.

CASE is a one-of-a-kind curriculum that shifts the classroom towards student-based learning and inquiry-based instruction where students apply critical thinking skills and problem-solving each and every day in the classroom.  Students are challenged to take control of their learning and become an active member of the learning community.  For many agriculture programs, this curriculum is implemented to increase the rigor and relevance of agricultural science while preparing students for diverse careers in the field of technical agriculture.

A unique professional development experience in itself, CASE institutes equip teachers with the content they will teach by employing 2 Lead Teachers that guide participants through key Activities, Projects, and Problems that make up the curriculum. Certified CASE teachers have seen the curriculum through a student's eyes and have completed the lab activities and projects firsthand to lead their classes with confidence through the new content. Rather than leaving with a binder full of worksheets, answer keys and video clips, teachers are prepared to develop an engaging classroom environment and lead students in inquiry-based lessons.

New this year to the CASE arsenal is CASE Online, a resource available to certified CASE teachers. This system provides students and teachers an online method to communicate while completing coursework and share course assignments and assessments. End-of-course assessments and review question banks are now available through this platform for teachers already implementing CASE curriculum.

In addition to learning the curriculum and about available resources, CASE workshops are an excellent opportunity for new and beginning teachers to gain "tricks of the trade" from experienced lead teachers and colleagues with years of teaching under their belt. During several lab activities, participants would volunteer their expertise and provide value-added classroom extension projects that were successful in their past classes. This professional collaboration is often a driving factor in motivating teachers to return to CASE institutes each summer to increase the rigor and relevance of their classes and prepare students for employment in the 21^st century food and fiber industry.

Although the end of the institute came way too quickly, the friendships, partnerships, and camaraderie developed at this institute will continue to grow as the 17 certified CASE teachers will communicate throughout the school year and work together through classroom challenges. I look forward to see how my fellow participants will implement CASE in their classrooms this upcoming year and how many students will be impacted through the CASE program into the future.

For more information on available CASE curriculum, CASE Online, and upcoming CASE pilot courses, please visit www.case4learning.org.

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog

Darla Romberger

Cumberland Valley Agriculture Science Teacher

Guest Blogger
Current PSU M.S. Student
2014 PSU Student Teacher

                                                                        

CASE: Your Vessel to Applied STEM through Agricultural Science Education

As agricultural educators, we are continually inundated with countless projects, obligations, and new tasks. Agricultural educators are the most innovative teachers on the planet.  Why?  Because we understand the importance of a competitive and competent world.  Just like the American Farmer, we must always think critically for the advancement and betterment of society.  As we advance into 21^st Century teaching methods, educators of agricultural science must remain at the forefront of education as engineers creating and designing the newest vessel to deliver applied STEM through agriculture.  This, my friends, is where CASE (The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education) enters the mix as the tool to allow us, as positive agent of change, to enhance the relevance and rigor of our agricultural science curriculum. 

Recently, twenty-one agricultural science educators from seven states met at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA for a refreshing professional development opportunity hosted by the Penn State Center for Professional Personnel Development at Cumberland Valley High School in the realm of STEM delivery and how we teach learners of agricultural education the fundamentals and foundations of our diverse curricula.   Albeit, at the beginning of this two-week training some were apprehensive – BUT shortly after the institute began, everyone was fully invested in the learning experience afforded to them through #PSUCASE13 – Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Institute[AFNR]. (Click here to view the twitter feed for this experience)

How do we learn best?  BY DOING!  CASE Institutes do just that.  Agricultural educators are challenged as they progress through Activities, Projects, and Problems presented through CASE methodologies – which build upon a pedagogy that spirals and scaffolds the curricula.   

Science and mathematics are not “included” in CASE curriculum, rather science and mathematics are purposely and properly taught to provide true integration of core-academics. CASE does NOT assume students should know how to perform a science skill or mathematical operation – these are purposely taught within the context of AFNR. (Click here to learn more about the AFNR Course)

It has been stated that, “CASE is the most powerful tool available for the advancement of agricultural education and enhancement of student learning of agricultural science subject matter.” Truth be told – if you want ‘up the ante’ of your agricultural science program, - EXPLORE the opportunities of CASE!  Find more time to ‘Do what you love – Love what you do,’ by allowing the CASE Team to lay the foundation for you!  Think of the possibilities! 

Learning more by visiting: www.case4learning.org or following on Twitter @case4learning.  To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog! 

Mr. Mike Woods

Guest Blogger

Cumberland Valley Agriscience Teacher/FFA Advisor

@CV_Aggie

2009 Graduate of Penn State AEE