GNG’s recent webinar clearly demonstrated two things: GNG has a lot to offer, and creative teachers are doing amazing things with GNG’s resources!

Educating with Excellence: Peers Putting GrowNextGen into Action featured several GNG teacher leaders sharing about recent classroom projects that connect science with agriculture.

AmyJo Henry, Global Impact STEM Academy, shared about The Egg-citing Chicken Project, investigating the question: does the amount of protein in a hen’s diet affect the amount of protein in her eggs? Students are also working on a marketing activity, looking at how to ‘sell’ their eggs. Henry said, “I couldn’t do what I do without GrowNextGen’s help!”

Shelby Dodds, another Global Impact STEM Academy, is collaborating with Henry on the chicken project. Dodds also mentioned a donut project: frying the donuts in different fats and oils and comparing the resulting color and taste. Dodd said she appreciates the collaboration and support of other, more experienced teachers in the GNG network.

Next up, Todd Tayloe of Dayton Carroll High Schools, explained how he’d expanded a digestive system project for his Anatomy class to include animal, as well as human, digestive systems. Tayloe has also created a lesson for GNG about soy candles. He works to incorporate agriculture into his science classes.

Brian Badenhop, Northwestern High School, talked about using the various GMO resources on the website. His students are learning about how genetic engineering helps with an increased demand for food, as well as how labeling is important for the public to understand.

Erin Molden teaches biotechnology at Kettering Fairmont High School. She’s creating a DNA master unit that includes a variety of lessons for teacher use. She said she appreciates GrowNextGen as a “network of friends”. “If you have a question about anything, they are there to help. I’m excited about the science our students can learn in the context of agriculture!” Molden said.

Trevor Horn has a background in the culinary industry, and is now teaching agriculture and food science at Reynoldsburg High School Health Sciences & Human Services Academy. GrowNextGen has given him the opportunity to introduce his students to some of the challenges faced in food production and the importance of soil and water quality. “My goal is to educate them as consumers so they can drive producers to give us what we need.”

Biotechnology instructor Kelly Lewis teaches in Gahanna at a satellite for Eastland-Fairfield Career Tech. Her two-year program draws students from 16 different school districts and a variety of areas. She finds GrowNextGen lessons great springboards to encourage students to design their own labs. Her students made lip balm and did a biodiesel lab with soy and other oils.