Governor School (#PGSAS14) going Global! #globalag

Remember when you were a kid and you went to a summer camp? Either your parents forced you leave or you wanted to actually go? Well, these 27 academically talented students from all across Pennsylvania were selected to go away for four weeks to Penn State’s University Park campus for Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences! This is the first time that this program has been opened since 2008!

Students from all around Pennsylvania have traveled to Penn State to learn about what the College of Ag has to offer. The students have four weeks to see if Penn State is right for them as well as if they truly do want to major in agriculture. One class was taught by the AEE program about Global Agriculture! Directed and facilitated by Dr. Daniel Foster and Dr. Melanie Foster, they took 8 volunteers to help create and then teach their own individual lesson plans that related to global agriculture! With four undergrads and four graduate students, two of which were international students, was the perfect blend for this week long class!  

 

Outlined below is the classes that were taught and by who! 

Students touring the greenhouse

Monday: Taught by Amanda Forstater (@CityAggie)

“Chocolate from Cacao to Bar”

This was the first class where Amanda challenged the students to think about the entire process of how chocolate.  They used the scientific process to hypothesize and then were rewarded with two different chocolate bars from different countries! 

Trying Indian Cuisine! YUM! 

Tuesday: Taught by Roshan Nayak (Ph.D candidate)

“Importance of Food in Your Life”

The students were able to study food systems and nutritional values! They played games to see what foods go in a balanced diet and what farm life was in India! Since Roshan is from India, he was able to give an insight of what life is actually like! The students were also able to dine on some local Indian food! 

Students dressing in traditional Korean attire

Wednesday: Taught by Janae Bickhart (@JanaeBickhart)

“Global Competency”

The students really focused on what the definition of “global competency” was and as well as learn about Korea! Since Janae was one of the students on the trip she brought a “study abroad” experience to the classroom! The students were able to try sample native foods such as  a kimichi, paint fans, and even dress in traditional Korean clothes!  

Learning definitions! 

Thursday: Taught by Stacia Creed (@stacia_creed)

“Food Security”

The students learned a lot with this lesson because they had to do an experiment to feed everyone in their group on a tight budget with a typical American price tag. The students said that they were surprised about how much food actually costs to feed a group of people! 

During the week long instruction, the students were also able to do two labs!

Lab One: Taught by Nur Husna Abd Wahid (Ph. D candidate)

“Malaysian Dancing”

For this lab the students were able to strut their stuff to see if they can dance the traditional dances of the Malaysian culture! There are videos if you click on this link!

Students completing the Amazing Race!

Lab Two: Taught by Olivia Murphy-Sweet (@OSweetMurph)

“Smart Goals and the Amazing Race!”

For this lab, the students learned about SMART goals (how to make them and what they wanted to do). They were also able to go on an Amazing Race tour around campus to learn  about what global programs that Penn State has to offer. 

  

Overall, the facilitators and the students had a great time! We hope that they learned a lot and that they come back to be Penn Staters! If you also want to check out a blog that the students wrote about their time with the class you can check out what they had to say here! 

WE ARE……!

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! 

 Olivia Murphy-Sweet
Student Blogger
Teach Ag! Avenger
Twitter Handle- @OSweetMurph
2016 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

Alpha Tau Alpha Welcomes New Members

2013 Initiation of New Members into ATA

Twelve students were initiated into the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha on Tuesday, November 19th. Alpha Tau Alpha is a national, professional, honorary, agricultural society. It is founded upon the development of true professional spirit and grown in agriculture.

The 2013 Alpha Tau Alpha initiates.
(Back Row) Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater,
Katherine Andrews, Janae Van Buskirk & Toby Neal.
(Front Row) Jillian Gordon, Jena Shaffer, Laura Metrick,
Bryanna Kenno and Deanna Miller.

The initiation ceremony took place in the Ferguson building at Universtiy Park. It was led by current members of ATA and Advisor Daniel Foster.  New initiate and 2015 Student Teacher, Janae VanBuskirk stated “I am excited to begin this new experience. I have ever been involved in an organization like this. It is nice to be recognized as students who work hard for their grades. I think all of the initiates are excited to grow out professionally and to ultimately make new friends with the same goals!”

The society was founded in 1921 and the Eta Chapter was organized at Penn State in 1931. The organization strives to promote the high standards and ideals in agricultural and extension education and to promote the bond between individuals in and those that have interest in the world of agriculture and extension education.

 2014 Student Teachers helping with the ATA initiation ceremony.

Another 2015 Student Teacher and ATA Initiate Morgan Campbell said “Becoming an ATA member is an exciting and rewarding accomplishment. I am proud to be a member of an organization that represents the professionalism and camaraderie of agriculture educators!”

The twelve students who have just joined the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha will enjoy the fellowship of individuals in an atmosphere of high scholarship that is dedicated to teaching, and who have a sincere desire to be a leader in agricultural education. The Students are; Katherine Andrews, Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater, Jillian Gordon, Megan Keller, Bryanna Keno, Laura Metrick, Deanna Miller, Toby Neal, Jena Shaffer and Janae VanBuskirk  


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!



Laura Metrick 
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher
Twitter: @Its_LauraBeth