By Julie Tomascik
Editor
The school year is over, and the classrooms are quiet. But there’s more to learn for Texas teachers. And they can get to the science of agriculture through Texas Farm Bureau-hosted (TFB) workshops this summer.
Held across the state, the workshops offer teachers practical experience in agricultural-related concepts, and they can take away curriculum for their classroom.
“The workshops are science- based, and it’s hands-on learning,” Jett Mason, director of Educational Outreach for TFB, said. “We work to help teachers better understand agriculture through these summer workshops. Then, they’re able to take that knowledge with them to the classroom to share with their students.”
For more than 20 years, the workshops have helped teachers make the connection with agriculture through science. The workshops, Mason noted, provide teachers with innovative techniques to incorporate agriculture into their curriculum.
“Students in the classroom are often three or four generations removed from the farm,” Mason said. “Our workshops help the teachers close that gap. They’re able to incorporate agriculture into language arts, social studies, math and science.”
The curriculum is aligned with Texas teaching standards to help teachers better incorporate the material in the classroom.
Teachers also receive up to seven continuing professional education units in addition to the resource material.
This summer’s workshops will be held at the following locations:
July 6—Temple
July 7—College Station
July 14—Kerrville
July 18—Fort Stockton
July 19—Lubbock
July 20—Plainview
July 21—Bushland/Amarillo
July 26—Marshall
Check texasfarmbureau.org for updates on the workshops. For more information, contact Mason at jmason@txfb.org or 254-751-2569.