ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- During the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, Monsanto, in cooperation with the Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Consortium announced the inaugural winners of the Monsanto Outreach for Agriculture Awards. AITC is a grassroots student educational program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with chapters in all states and territories. State AITC programs address the need for agriculture literacy at the K-12 student level, with innovative curricular efforts designed specifically to reach non-traditional agriculture students.
"The AITC Consortium is pleased to announce the grants of $5,000 to California, Maryland, and North Carolina AITC Programs that will benefit students and teachers through professional development activities and agriculture related workshops," said Judy Roush, Ohio, President of Agriculture in the Classroom Consortium. "Monsanto's continued support to the Consortium provides additional funding opportunities for deserving state-level educational projects."
California, Maryland and North Carolina AITC Programs were selected as the recipients of the grants after an impartial grant review conducted by the National AITC Consortium. "Monsanto is proud to recognize these diverse programs that represent a commitment to improving the understanding and plant sciences, animal sciences or biotechnology of students. Science education is fundamental in preparing the future generations of consumers and opinion leaders. Monsanto is committed to show students the contribution agriculture makes to our society," said Ron Bumb, Monsanto East Coast Area Sales Manager.
California AITC will create a form/activity sheet featuring corn or another California commodity which has been directly associated with biotechnology. This project will be a factual, unbiased piece that uniquely shows and provides examples of information and how it can be incorporated into teaching and encouraging students. Maryland AITC will use the grant money to reach over 7,600 students and 400 teachers annually with hands-on, innovative lessons that advance biotechnology and its role in agriculture and student's lives. Three biotechnology lessons will be packaged in easy to carry totes which could be modified for use by volunteers in the agricultural community, education system, and youth organizations. North Carolina has developed a learning activity designed to help elementary children understand and appreciate the process of photosynthesis. The activity utilizes multiple learning modalities as it allows the students to see, hear, and move through a simulation of photosynthesis. Each "step" of the process is a dance step with accompanying lyrics.
"Unlock the Treasurers of the Garden State" is the theme for the 25th Anniversary of the USDA AITC Program. The conference has drawn nearly 300 participants from across the United States. Participants at the conference have the opportunity to attend workshops and hear speakers on a variety of aspects of agriculture and ways to integrate the topic into K-12 education. More information on the Agriculture in the Classroom Program can be found at http://www.agclassroom.org .
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology- based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. You can learn more about Monsanto's commitment to youth and science education by visiting the company's website at http://www.monsanto.com and clicking on "Who Are We" and then "Commitment to Youth."
SOURCE Monsanto Company; Ag in the Classroom