2024 NAAE Convention

Unlock the potential of inquiry-based learning by incorporating scientific methodology and entomology topics into your horticulture, floriculture, and plant science classes! This session will explore inquiry-based strategies that will provide agriscience teachers with the key foundations of engaging laboratory investigations that explore the vital roles insects play in plant ecosystems and greenhouses. Participants will explore hands-on activities and experiments including insect identification, and the impact of insect morphology on plant health. By integrating these entomology-based labs, educators can stimulate student curiosity, foster critical thinking, and enhance understanding of plant science concepts. Join this session to assist you in creating a dynamic, inquiry-based learning classroom environment where students buzz with excitement about entomology in floriculture!

Similar to how scientists utilize technology to manipulate environmental factors to improve plant growth and development, agriscience teachers can implement technology to teach the environmental variables and factors a greenhouse facility provides for plants to grow and flourish. This workshop will explore the use and benefits of environmental sensors in enhancing data collection and analysis within plant science and horticulture education. Participants will gain insights into how these sensors can improve the accuracy and efficiency of data-driven decisions in educational laboratories. We will explore how to collect and export data for analysis. Join us to discuss how environmental sensor technology can improve student learning outcomes by providing real-time data and facilitating hands-on learning experiences that illuminate STEM concepts in plant science curricula.

Agriculture education has tremendous opportunity to grow with the support state legislation and funding. Wherever your legislative program currently is, growing through advocacy can enhance your own experience and that of students, teachers, and programs in your state.

Do you have students with a disability in your agriculture classes? Are you unsure of how to support them? Would you like to brainstorm with colleagues about a solution? Then this workshop is for you. Participants will be provided with an opportunity to work with colleagues to modify/accommodate an agriculture education lesson plan that can be used in their classroom.

Feedback is vital for students to grow but grading can be a burden. This workshop highlights a strategy that makes group grading a breeze. Through use of a "Timecard", students develop their own priorities depending on the task at hand to self-assess and provide peer feedback for future improvement. Learn how to implement this tool, walking away with the resources needed to make your grade book one less thing to worry about.

Students require effective communication and decision-making skills for all careers across agriculture. This workshop will arm teachers with easy-to-use curriculum that can meet students' needs. Active demonstration of the modules will allow teachers to walk away with access to FREE curriculum. Free curriculum will include downloadable worksheets, handouts, videos, and audio clips to provide students with an immersive learning experience. Workshop participants will learn how to access and utilize curriculum covering topics such as listening effectively, oral and written communication, and social media use, as well as decision-making topics such as generating solutions, taking appropriate action and thinking abstractly. Curriculum is aligned with National FFA strands and standards. This project was supported by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grant no. 2019-38414-30265.

The purpose of the Member Experience committee is to provide insight and recommendations on the value of the NAAE organization and review the perceptions that current and prospective members have about NAAE.

Need ready to use classroom ideas? Come visit the "Seasoned Owls" workshop. With over 70 years of combined educational experiences, the workshop will provide ready to use activities in a variety of disciplines, from wildlife to bell ringers to food science. Laugh, network and ask questions. The Seasoned Owls have experience with NAAE Leadership, classroom management and want to help you have a successful, less-stressed year!

In this session, participants will gain practical skills to execute a hands-on contamination activity tailored for their educational settings. Beginning with a short formal lecture, participants will expand their understanding of meat and food handling, covering fundamental techniques, common contamination sources, and transmission pathways. This comprehensive understanding will be put into action through the engaging 'Contamination Lab'. Participants will handle both potentially contaminated and uncontaminated meat and food products (glogerm). Subsequently, they will employ a black light to visualize the extent of glogerm contamination. Through this experiential exercise, attendees will connect the knowledge gained from the lecture with real-world observations.