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Missouri Schools Get Technical With Classroom Education
Fourteen Missouri Schools Receive $170,000 In Grants
ST. LOUIS, MO.
Missouri school districts have received $170,000 in grants this year from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The program partners with farmers to support rural public school districts with innovative approaches to teaching math and science. Given the technological progress in agriculture over the past 20 years, farmers are very aware of the need for superior math and science education, especially for students in their communities.
Winning districts across Missouri have designed many innovative programs to incorporate new technologies into their classroom environment with use of the grant funds. From SMART boards, tablets and laptops to Bunsen burners and microscopes districts are committed to increasing math and science proficiency and preparation for state standardized testing. The Butler R-V school district is investing in new lab equipment at Butler High School after receiving a $25,000 Grow Rural Education grant to implement their Life Science Technology Project.
Jasper Elementary School, part of the Jasper R-V School
District, received a $10,000 Grow Rural Education grant to
purchase classroom laptops, improving technology access
for kindergarten through sixth grade students. Pictured from
left to right: Brandon Bruce, technical Agronomist for Monsanto,
Amanda Moennig, curriculum director and David Davis, principal
of Jasper Elementary School.
“Funding of equipment and technology for science and math curriculum in our rural Missouri schools is vital for our students to compete in our high-tech society,” said Barb Wilson. Wilson, a corn and soybean farmer in Audrain County, was selected as an America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council member and had a hand in selecting this year’s winners across the country.
The program starts with farmers, who can nominate a public school district in their community to apply for a grant of up to $25,000. Once all of the school district applications are submitted, a panel of math and science teachers reviewed each application and selected finalists. An advisory council, composed of farmer-leaders with an interest in agriculture and education, then selects the winning grant applications from a pool of finalists.
The funding is utilized for math and science projects in grades K-12, to prepare students for a wider range of career prospects in an increasingly technology-driven workforce.
At Butler High School, “The grant is giving teachers the opportunity to further enhance their students’ knowledge of math and science with hands-on equipment,” added Wilson.
The district’s project would expand the laboratory capabilities of the school and enhance student engagement in life science courses. With updated equipment and technology available to students, the district hopes to see increased student interest in science courses and career and college readiness.
This program is part of the America’s Farmers initiative, which partners with farmers to support education, service organizations and youth in rural America. Visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com to see the full list of winners for this year. A sister program, America’s Farmers Grow Communities, is currently in its enrollment period. To sign up, visit www.GrowCommunities.com.
The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America.
To learn more, visit America’s Farmersat www.AmericasFarmers.com. ∆
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