News: Teacher stories
Teachers all over the state and beyond are using Feed the World lessons with their students! See how other teachers are implementing this curriculum in their classrooms, learn about emerging agricultural topics and resources, and get the latest updates on our workshops and satellite activities.
Plant genetics studied with mini-grant materials
Science teacher Donna Meller said the Pettisville High School STEM Program appreciated the mini-grant they received this year to help provide materials for a Genetics Module. Students participated in a four-week unit led by Bill Holdsworth, Plant Breeder from Rupp Seeds, on Plant Genetics. For one of the sessions Meller’s class used the pGlo Transformation kit purchased with funds from the Feed the World mini-grant to learn how plant genetics …
Meet Alumni Educator Brian Badenhop
Brian teaches Environmental Science, Biology, Science and Society at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. He’s been there four years, and his favorite part of teaching is forming lasting mentor relationships with students even after they graduate. He’s also involved in Envirothon, the Science Education Council of Ohio, and the National Science Teachers Association. How has Feed the World changed your view of agriculture? It helped me to gain a better understanding …
Testing biodiesel feedstocks
Biofuels are fuels that have been created from plants and crops. The most common are Bioethanol or simply Ethanol and Biodiesel. Blended with gasoline, corn ethanol can be used as an alternative fuel for your car. Plant based fuels come from renewable sources, can be grown anywhere and have lower carbon emissions as compared to fossil fuels. Biofuels not only help a struggling economy by providing jobs but also help …
Sr. Ag. Capstone students produce ethanol with mini-grant supplies
Lindsey Whetstone applied for a Feed the World mini-grant to use with her students. Whetstone said, “Students enrolled in the Sr. Ag. Capstone and Plant & Animal Science Courses at Jackson Center High School complete an entire unit on biotechnology. 98% of students do not have any agricultural background, and earning this grant to teach them about ethanol production would not only be vital for the learning process but to also …
Student’s independent ethanol research made possible with grant
Cinda Murray, a Northwestern High School teacher in Albion, Pennsylvania, received a $500 grant from Feed the World, sponsored by Ohio Corn & Wheat. This grant allowed Murray to purchase two distillation apparatuses for her classroom. Taylor Ryan, a senior Chemistry 2 student, chose to perform an independent research project for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition, investigating the production of alcohol in relation to fermentation times. Ryan said, “My hypothesis wa…
Workshop water quality kit at work in Morrow County
Beau Wolford, advisor to the Cardington—Lincoln Jr. High Science Club, and teacher Donna Kill taught a water quality unit to the club, then spent a school day exploring the Whetstone River Watershed of Morrow County. The group met with Matt Stooksbury, a Conservation Technician of Morrow County Soil and Water Conservation District at Headwaters Education Center. Mr. Stooksbury explained the watersheds of Ohio and took the group to the Ro…
Mini-grant leads to modern data collection
Heather Nicholson’s 7th grade science students at Mt. Gilead Middle School have gained new technology from a Feed the World mini-grant. The students are using iPads to complete virtual labs and collect lab data. This spring, they will be using the iPads as they collect water quality data from creeks and streams in our community. Nicholson said, “Curriculum from Feed the World, along with iPads purchased from the mini-grant, has …
Getting to know corn inside and out
You can count the rings on a tree; you can look at a horse’s teeth; but to know the age of a corn plant, you’ll have to go deeper. That’s what David Stacklin showed his students at Penta Career Center, splitting corn stalks to determine the growth stage. Penta Career Center has a school farm on the grounds, so the class toured the farm and examined the crops….