The Clemson University Division of Research was awarded a $500,000 Project Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grants program (AFRI, CFDA #10.310). The grant will fund the Immersive Professional Development Experiences for Agriscience Teachers to Explore the Floriculture Industry: STEM It Up Squared (SIU2) Program from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2026.
The SIU2 Program aims to enhance secondary agriscience teachers' content knowledge of the floriculture industry through immersive, hands-on professional development opportunities. Teachers will learn about the production aspects and STEM concepts underlying the floriculture industry. They will then develop new instructional modules and hands-on learning experiences to extend student understanding. The program seeks to better prepare rural students for careers and innovation in the agricultural sector, bolstering rural communities. Clemson University will leverage partnerships with education, industry, and teaching experts to deliver the immersive teacher training and curriculum development work over the three-year period of performance.