As climate change brings warmer temperatures, scientists say we can expect an increase in the intensity of diseases facing crops. And, with an ever-growing and hungry population, our crops will need to rise to this challenge. As scientists find ways to grow more resilient crops, their findings can also lead to drug development for humans.
The Scientist in Every Florida School team partnered with the Song Lab in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ department of plant pathology on a four-year National Science Foundation grant-funded project to improve disease resistance in crops. This PD was called “Research Experience for Florida High School Teachers in Plant Pathology.”
As part of the outreach portion of the project, SEFS hosted a series of four professional development programs for Florida teachers where they ran active experiments relating to improving the rice immune system. Teachers also worked with scientists to develop lesson plans that help students better understand issues surrounding agriculture and food security.
Learn more about each teacher cohort:
Workshop Benefits:
Participants will leave the PD with:
- Authentic scientific research experience
- Access to a teacher-scientist network related to the project for continued scientific support
- A chance to collaborate with peers and co-develop practical lessons for the classroom
- A chance to expose students to scientist role models and careers in science
- Chance to have a scientist visit your classroom
- A $1,000 stipend for successful completion of the program
Instructors
- Dr. Wenyuan Song Lab (UF/IFAS)
- Stephanie Killingsworth, Scientist in Every Florida School
Learn more
Funding Sources
