Feed the World


What kind of soil do worms prefer? 

Christina Howard, Black River High School agricultural education teacher & FFA advisor, conducted the Feed The World soil labs with her Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources classes and her Animal and Plant Sciences class.  

Prior to the labs Howard's class talked about the advantages and disadvantages of organic and conventional soil. The students set up a pan with both types of soil, separated by cardboard, then lifted the cardboard and let the worms decide which soil they liked best. By day 3, almost of the worms were on the organic side. Howard said, "The students were able to form some educated hypotheses as to why the worms chose the organic soil. This was interesting for them because very few of them have any organic farming knowledge." (read more)


Challenging assumptions about GMOs

FTW lead educators Jeremy Grove and Heather Bryan demonstrated a pGlo genetic transformation lab at the Cleveland Regional Council of Science Teachers' annual fall conference. In this lab, students perform an actual genetic transformation and become better able to explain the process to others. They also learn about corn genetic transformation and the benefits of GMOs.

FTW had an exhibit at the conference and Bryan and Grove talked to more than 50 teachers from Cleveland City Schools about FTW's educational resources. 15 teachers from northwest Ohio were present at the workshop. Jane McGann, upper elementary science teacher at Rushing Montessori School, said the activity would be a great one to do with her students. "We have students who have pretty strong views about GMOs," McGann said, "and this fits well with what I try to do, which is challenging their simplistic views and considering what genetic modification can do and what its advantages are."

Jason Tout, science teacher at Montessori High School in Cleveland, won a pGlo kit at the workshop. Tout said, "Thank you, Ohio Corn & Wheat, for the GMO-related materials."

Speaking of GMOs...


Here's a video that explains how scientists do genetic modification, using the story of the Hawaiian Rainbow Papaya. Great opportunity to discuss GMOs AND the economics of agriculture with your students!

Upcoming events
 
Engage your students in Engineering Design activities to better understand the production of corn ethanol and teach many fundamental concepts across the science curriculum. Attendees will learn the basics of ethanol production and create ethanol using the engineering design process to determine which feedstock provides the fastest rate of fermentation. One lucky participant will take home a FREE supply kit!

 
Brought to you by Feed the World: Ohio Corn Education, providing curriculum, industry contacts, teacher highlights and upcoming workshop information.