Virtual AgDiscovery Summer Enrichment Program: Innovation in a Global Pandemic
By Dr. Michelle Corley, Interim Chair Department of Agriculture & Professor, Animal Molecular Immunogenetics
The Virginia State University (VSU) College of Agriculture’s (COA) AgDiscovery program, like so many other summer enrichment programs, had to innovate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-week program, funded by the USDA-Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is usually conducted face-to-face on campus for 9th-12th graders, giving them an opportunity to participate in experiential, agriculture-based activities. The program exposes students to various disciplines within the agriculture industry, particularly animal and plant sciences, and careers and opportunities available in the field. But in the face of the global pandemic, the 2020 AgDiscovery program had to pivot to a virtual summer program.
Despite having to participate remotely, students still got a synergistic hands-on experience, and an education in the disciplines of animal and veterinary science, food safety, biotechnology, global food insecurity and biosecurity, as well as an introduction to career options in these areas. Students completing the program earned three semester credits for the AGRI -140 Freshman Course (Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Society). The course counts toward their bachelor’s degrees, should they decide to enroll at VSU and major in agriculture.
The AgDiscovery program activities were delivered interactively in June. In order to conduct program activities, materials were purchased and mailed to students’ homes. Before the program began, surveys were conducted to determine the home environment (lives on a farm, pet owner, Wi-Fi and internet, computer accessibility, career interest, permission to receive materials, best mailing address). The participating universities purchased Chromebooks/laptop computers and sent them to the students in order to align technology accessibility, software programs and program delivery. Materials for activities included personal protective equipment (PPE), microscopes, fecal egg count kits, DNA science kits, real life dog model simulators and pet first aid kits. The students also received VSU AgDiscovery T-shirts, backpacks and folios. All students signed equipment loan agreements and successfully returned their computers to VSU at the end of the program. Student activities were delivered via Zoom. Since students were enrolled in the AGRI - 140 course at VSU, they accessed program activities and resources and submitted assignments via Blackboard. Students received a grade at the end of the program. Twenty students applied to the face-to-face on campus program, and were accepted. Sixteen students participated in the virtual program. Students hailed from Virginia, New Jersey, New Hampshire, California, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
Connection is published by Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture. Special thanks to everyone who contributed content, photos, ideas and time to this edition.
Executive Editor: Michelle Olgers; Writer/Editor: Lorraine Blackwell; Art Direction, Graphic Design: Brittany R. Hughes
Send address changes and circulation inquiries by email to molgers@vsu.edu. Editorial inquiries and other comments should be sent to Executive Editor, Connection, P.O. Box 9081, Virginia State University, VA 23806 or molgers@vsu.edu.
©2020 Virginia State University College of Agriculture
Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, Dean/1890 Extension Administrator; Dr. Wondi Mersie, Associate Dean/Director of Research; Dr. Janine P. Woods, Associate Administrator VSU Virginia Cooperative Extension; Dr. Michelle Corley, Interim Chair, Associate Professor Department of Agriculture; Dr. Crystal Wynn, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Dr. Berkita Bradford, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Hospitality Management
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