A team of BKW educators has been selected by the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Association for Agriculture to participate in a series of On The Farm STEM Experience webinars in May, June and July, and an Aug. 8-11 educational conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We were asked by the National Farm Bureau Association to identify team members to fulfill certain roles as participants in the On The Farm STEM Experience webinars and conference,” said BKW agriscience teacher/FFA advisor Michaela Kehrer.
“Our BKW faculty group will include Bonnie Kane, administrator/treasurer of extracurricular activities; Donna McGovern, high school life science teacher; Carey Raymond, instructional science leader; Sarah McArdle, FFA advisor/community partner/5th grade teacher and team leader; and myself. There’s also an opportunity for a representative from Capital Region BOCES to join us in the role of curriculum developer.”
The On The Farm STEM Experience will include a May 13 evening webinar titled, “Relevance, Authenticity, and Identity in Science Education;” a June 10 evening webinar titled, “Evaluating Agricultural Phenomena and Problems;” a July 8 evening webinar titled, “Sense-making and Problem Solving to Drive Learning;” and an Aug. 8-11 in-person, immersive experience in Nashville.
“We are proud that BKW has been selected to participate in the On The Farm STEM Experience,” Ms. Kehrer said. “The program aligns with our district’s mission and goals and will benefit our students and school community.”
BKW provides opportunities for learning and growth for students of all ages through its FFA chapter and AgriSTEAM (agriculture, science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs. BKW’s expanded offerings reflect both the area’s rich agricultural heritage and today’s multi-disciplinary approach to agricultural education and diverse career offerings.