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National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
"Field of Dreams"
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Registration for the 2021 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference "Fields of Dreams" scheduled for June 28-July 1 in Des Moines, Iowa, is officially open! The conference will be held as a "hybrid" conference at the Iowa Events Center with an in-person option for people who can travel and a live streaming/virtual option for people who cannot travel. Hear from Will Fett, executive director of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation and conference host, as he personally invites you to the great state of Iowa with this brief Message!
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On-site workshops cover topics such as the science behind renewable energy, diversity in accurate agriculture literature and ioponics and hydroponics in classroom gardens, among other workshops. Traveling workshops visit a corn and soybean farm, a raspberry farm, and the Iowa Arboretum, among other stops. Curious what we have planned for pre- and post-tours, keynote speakers, workshops, and what it will look like to participate virtually? More information is available at Conference Website.
To register for the conference, please visit Conference Registration. Early in-person registration is $435, and is available until June 1, after which it will go up to $485. Virtual registation is $50.
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Calling School Gardens! School Garden Grown Project |
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CALLING ALL SCHOOL GARDENS!
School Garden Grown Project
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Maine fairs are ramping up for in-person events this summer! School gardens can exhibit their produce, create excitement for students, and build awareness, with cash prizes to benefit the garden program! MSGN is in partnership with Maine Agriculture in the Classroom to provide information on this amazing project with your LOCAL fair!
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MAITC is thrilled to report that 34 Emergency COVID Scholarships to support agricultural initiatives for almost 20,000 PreK - 12th grade students across the state have been funded! The applicants received up to $1000 each and have up to 1 year to complete the projects. Funding is a direct result of the Agricultural Specialty License Plate! Many thanks to all plate owners!
In 2021 the regular grant program will resume with deadlines in June, August and December. For more information visit www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org
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Summer Teacher's Institute |
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In the place of our 2021 Summer Teachers Institute, MAITC is planning two or three in-person, 1-day events for August.
Topics being considered include Maine Grains, Aquaculture, Hydroponics, and dairy. We would love your input on teacher interest in this professional development opportunity and additional thoughts on topics, agenda, site, etc. There will be 7 contact hours or .7 CEU’s awarded for each 1-day event.
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Opportunities from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture |
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Applications are open! Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants (formerly known as White-Reinhardt Resource Grants) are made possible by the CSL Foundation.
The CSL Foundation was established to carry on late AFBFA director Christy Lilja's beliefs of helping others in need and to continue to advocate for educating K-12 teachers and students about the importance of agriculture.
The purpose of these grants is to provide funds to educators to enable them to purchase accurate agricultural literacy materials from the AFBFA store for use in their classrooms. By providing this grant, AFBFA hopes to help students gain access to more accurate information about agriculture.
Applications close June 30. Learn More Here.
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Harvest of the Month - May is Maine Wild Blueberries! |
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Check out the great HOM materials:
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Teacher Resources Section |
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Hatching Science with Classroom Chicks. Grades K-2. Students will explore how an embryo develops inside of a chicken egg over time, discuss life cycles and other natural cycles, and observe similarities and differences between parents and offspring.
Paint's Family Tree. Grades 3-5. Students will explore the complexity of heredity by studying horses and creating a horse’s family tree.
Overfishing and Aquaculture. Grades 6-8. Students will discover the sources of various fish and seafood, compare wild-caught and farm-raised aquaculture systems, and use a simulation to learn how overfishing can damage the ocean ecosystem.
Double the Muscle: Probabilities and Pedigrees. Grades 9-12. This lesson allows students to apply the concept of Mendelian genetics and learn about the double muscling trait found in cattle. Students will apply their knowledge of genetics and Punnett squares to calculate the probability of genotypes and use a pedigree chart.
Looking for more? Explore the Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix HERE
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Don't forget that all SIX of our
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Journey of a Gene. This website engages students in the genetic engineering process in a problem and solution format. The video series describes a plant disease in soybeans and then illustrates the steps in genetic engineering that could be employed to develop seeds that are resistant to the disease.
Gyotaku: The Japanese Art of Printing Fish. In this activity the students will identify the parts and functions of a fish, explore the Japanese art of fish printing known as gyotaku, and label their gyotaku print with the parts of a fish.
Pompom Punnett Square Kit. This activity can be used with the lesson, Peas in a Pod (or any lesson on Punnett Squares) and illustrates the results of Gregor Mendel’s experiments with pea plants. Scaffold instruction by first modeling how Punnett squares work and then monitoring students as they create pompom Punnett squares in small groups. This kit contains enough materials for 36 students. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
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ReTreeUS plants orchards in schools and provides educational programs that empower people to be healthy environmental stewards.
Fuel Up to Play 60 offers educators a wide array of resources they can use to help students make sustainable changes in their school environment.
Agroworld is an agricultural science e-zine developed for the secondary educator.
KidsGardening has ideas about plants and gardens, teacher resources, and grant opportunities.
The Chop Chop magazine and website has easy and healthy recipes.
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Funding from this plate has impacted up to 200,000 students annually with lessons, materials, volunteers and teacher training. Annually up to $60K is distributed in grants to schools, FFA, 4-H and other Non-profit programs for Ag education initiatives by the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council.
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Donate today to The Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Association
The Non-profit, completely volunteer, portion of MAITC. These funds are used directly to support teacher scholarships and recognition, and support volunteer participation for Ag education programs. Your donation is completely tax deductible and you can make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation which will support the mission, "to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public." If you have any other questions or would like to join this group please contact the chairman, Maryjane Stafford. Donate Here.
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Our Mission Statement
"To promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public"
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28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207)287-5522
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