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From STEM to STEAM!

"The pool of potential candidates for the agricultural disciplines is no longer a relatively homogenous group of young people who grew up on farms. That number is diminishing, while the student population has grown increasingly diverse in terms of age, background, and culture. The diverse and broader student body is generally unaware of the multi-dimensional and challenging nature of the agricultural disciplines and the exciting career opportunities open to them, despite evidence that many students have an interest in a variety of scientific, business, economic, environmental and social issues related to food and agriculture. The problem is that educators have not helped students make the connection between those issues and a degree in agriculture.

In many ways, agriculture is intertwined with other disciplines in the natural and social sciences, with agriculture professionals using similar approaches and systems as those in other fields. Agriculture now so thoroughly combines basic and applied aspects of the traditional STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that the acronym might rightly expand to become STEAM, joining agriculture with the other fundamental disciplines."

Recommendations for Change in Agriculture Education

1. Strategic planning

Strategic planning should involve a broad array of stakeholders with an interest in undergraduate agriculture education, including faculty in and outside agriculture colleges, current and former students, employers, disciplinary societies, commodity groups, local organizations focused on food and agriculture, and representatives of the public. The plan should be revisited every 3 to 5 years to shape change, evaluation and adaptation.

2. Include Introductory Courses that serve multiple populations

By incorporating agriculture in courses outside agriculture with team-taught and interdepartmental introductory courses in a variety of majors, agriculture colleges can bridge the many domains that can contribute to a broader understanding of agricultural issues.

3. Broaden the undergraduate student experience

Integrate opportunities for a variety of transferable skills including communication, teamwork and management. Participate in undergraduate research, outreach and extension. Participate in internships and other experiential opportunities outside the institution. Gain exposure to international perspectives including learning-abroad programs and international perspectives in coursework.

4. Prepare faculty to teach effectively and develop new courses and curricula

Support faculty development at the institutional, local, regional and national levels. Prepare the next generation of faculty by providing appropriate training to graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. Ensure that responsibility for faculty development rests not only with individual faculty members but with departments, colleges and institutions. Leverage existing resources or provide additional resources to support development of new courses, curricula and teaching materials. Resources needed include faculty release time, support for teaching assistants, workshops and use of education materials and technologies.

5. Provide substantive support for exemplary undergraduate teaching

Reward high-quality teaching, curriculum development, mentoring and other efforts to improve student learning, including rigorous hiring, tenure and promotion. Implement new tenure-track faculty appointments that emphasize teaching and education research in a discipline. Reward excellence in teaching with education and research grants. Professional societies should raise the profile of teaching in the disciplines with support and rewards for teaching and sponsored education sessions and speakers at society meetings, workshops on teaching and learning, education-focused articles and dissemination of teaching materials.

6. Connect for support, opportunities and student pathways

Develop connections between four-year colleges and universities, community colleges and land-grant institutions. Establish and support joint programs and courses relevant to agriculture and develop pathways for students pursuing agricultural careers.

7. Outreach to elementary- and secondary-school students and teachers

Expose students to agricultural topics and generate interest in agricultural careers and public perceptions. Programs to consider include:

• Agriculture-based high schools
• Urban agricultural education programs
• Summer high-school or youth enrichment programs in agri
• Partnerships with youth-focused programs (4-H, FFA and Scouting)

8. Partner to facilitate coordination between food and agriculture

Include representatives of industry and other employers on committees, advisory boards and in strategic planning. Exchange programs can enable food and agri professionals to spend semesters teaching and working at academic institutions and enable faculty to spend sabbaticals working outside academia. Student opportunities in nonacademic settings can be expanded with internships, cooperative education programs, summer opportunities, mentoring and career programs, job shadowing and other experiences.

9. Reviews should be updated to include these recommendations

Accreditation, grant proposal reviews, department reviews, institutional reviews, etc. that include strategic direction in their policies and procedures will provide a strong incentive for implementation. Develop a checklist of items that should be used by any review of programs, curricula, departments, colleges or institutions.

Summary

This addresses strategic planning processes, but does not address content of education such as green and sustainable practices. By engaging a variety of stakeholders in the strategic planning of tomorrow's agricultural best practices, it is hopeful that a long term outlook will include these innovations and developing methodologies.

These recommendations are from "Transforming Agricultural Education for a Changing World", by Committee on a Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning, from the National Research Council of the National Academies.

More information is available at www.nap.edu Read the book online

Biomimicry Institute, Autodesk Announce World's First Database of Nature-Inspired Design Strategies

Imagine if buildings were as self-sufficient as living organisms: if they could gather water, filter air, and adapt to local climate conditions. Imagine if the natural world could teach us everything we need to know about sustainable, efficient design.

AskNature.org

Now for the first time, a new online database called AskNature.org will bring nature's best design ideas to design tables around the world. The new project, created by the Biomimicry Institute and sponsored by Autodesk, was announced on Nov. 21 at the Greenbuild 2008 conference in Boston.

AskNature.org is a free, public-domain online library of nature's best design ideas, organized by function and explained with illustrations and in language relevant to designers.

AskNature.org is a project of the Biomimicry Institute, founded by Janine Benyus, the renowned author of the book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. AskNature.org is collaborating with the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History and E.O. Wilson's Encyclopedia of Life as a source of data for the portal.

The portal explains in nontechnical language and enhanced with illustrations to explain how things work. The portal helps architects, designers, and engineers access and understand sustainable design concepts so they can use them in their own products and projects.

Biomimetic Information

Autodesk believes that biomimicry, as a design paradigm, can provide our customers with design intelligence to help them make smarter design decisions - whether they are designing a building, a train, a shoe or a city. Looking ahead, Autodesk's goal is to make biomimetic information accessible to a wide range of users globally. Autodesk product teams are investigating technology intersections, including those with the Autodesk® Seek web service, which has already made select biomimetic products available to designers.

Architects, designers and innovators can use this resource to study life's approaches to sustainable design--for example, how butterflies create pigment-free color, or how plants split water to release hydrogen.

"The core idea is that there is no need to reinvent the wheel. After 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has already found the solutions to the sustainability challenges humans face," said Janine Benyus, founder of the non-profit Biomimicry Institute and author of Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.

AskNature.org--part search engine, part social network--is a place where biologists and innovators can meet, exchange information and design together.  The site also has a feature called "Thank a Genius," which encourages the investment of a portion of profits derived from bio-inspired innovations to go toward preserving the organisms and ecosystems that inspired the breakthrough.

AskNature.org is sponsored by Autodesk, a world leader in design innovation technology. With a user base of 9 million architects, designers and engineers around the world, Autodesk sees biomimicry as a revolutionary design concept that can help influence better design decisions.

A growing number of businesses are using biomimicry to solve their design challenges. As one example, the architectural firm HOK is planning a community development in India that seeks to mimic tree roots with its foundation structure, as a way to deal with soil stability problems. They are also designing roofs that shed water during monsoon season and also store water for use in the drought season--just like trees do in that environment. 

Biomimicry at Greenbuild 2008

Janine Benyus, along with renowned Harvard biologist E. O. Wilson  announce the launch of AskNature.org. on November 21, 2009.  Wilson's Encyclopedia of Life is integrated with the AskNature.org database.

For more information about the Biomimicry Institute: www.biomimicryinstitute.org.

For more information about Autodesk's role: www.autodesk.com/biomimicry

Michigan Technological University and Wayne State University will be the first institutions to offer accelerated graduate courses for auto engineers on next-generation hybrid and battery technologies.

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth is partnering with the two universities to offer MAGM's first round of training that prepares automotive engineers for renewable energy jobs. The courses will be offered in the southeastern Michigan area.

"These courses are a terrific opportunity for engineers to learn about cutting edge hybrid and battery technology as part of the Green Jobs Initiative," said Granholm in a press release.

DELEG oversees the Michigan Green Jobs Initiative, which is designed to ensure the emerging industries and green economy have the trained workers they need. In response to the rapid growth in the renewable energy sector, DELEG collaborated with automotive manufacturing employers to establish the MAGM. This initial course offering is aimed at incumbent auto engineers, however unemployed workers who meet the pre-requisites may also be eligible.

MAGM is administered by a governing board made up of employers, education and training providers, the workforce development system, and state government. The academy's objective is to prepare individuals for emerging technologies in vehicle propulsion, component design, manufacturing and maintenance.

Workforce Investment for Emerging Industries

The Academy is offered under the Governor's No Worker Left Behind program, a plan to train 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high demand occupations and emerging industries. NWLB will provide up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants. As of June 30 more than 81,667 people have been put into NWLB training.

About the courses:

Advanced Propulsion for Hybrid Vehicles with Concentration in Battery Engineering. Sponsored by Michigan Technological University. A three-credit class offered in cooperation with the Engineering Society of Detroit and AVL, a developer of powertrains and vehicle simulation and test systems. The curriculum will focus on engineering skills that apply to next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles, with an emphasis on battery design and hands-on learning. Preference will be given to applications received by Aug. 19. The semester-long class begins Sept. 3. The course will be offered again in the spring semester. For more information, visit the training Web site or call 248-353-0735.

Advanced Battery Systems for Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Sponsored by Wayne State University. A four-credit graduate course level class team-taught by WSU engineering faculty, HEV engineers from Delphi and GM and battery scientists from Ovonic Battery. Bachelor of Science in Engineering or similar physical sciences area is required. Curriculum focuses in-vehicle electric energy storage systems, Battery system development and design for hybrid electric vehicles. Macomb Community College is also providing five HEVs for lab experiments.The class will begin meeting Sept.. The course will be also be offered for spring semester. For more information about this course, visit the Web site for the WSU College of Engineering or call CP Yeh, chair, Division of Engineering Technology, Wayne State University, at 313-577-0800.

Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study

URL: http://epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2009/2009_star_gradfellow.html

Open Date: 08/19/2009  -  Close Date: 10/22/2009

Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is offering Graduate Fellowships for master's and doctoral level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline is October 22, 2009 at 4:00 PM for receipt of paper applications, and October 22, 2009 at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, the Agency plans to award approximately 120 new fellowships by June 30, 2010. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years, usable over a period of four years. The fellowship program provides up to $37,000 per year of support per fellowship.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if the North American grid were just 5% more efficient, the energy savings would equate to eliminating the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from 53 million cars.

Support of the Smart Grid Maturity Model by DoE enables it to be accessible to all stakeholders of the electric power industry.

IBM and a group of leading utilities--the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition--have handed-over stewardship of their Smart Grid Maturity Model to the Carnegie Mellon® Software Engineering Institute (SEI). As progressive utilities around the globe modernize power grids with digital technology, executives want to know that making the grid smarter is the right thing to do and they want to know how to do it.

The electric grid is the largest and most complex machine in the world and in places it is now critically overburdened. Impacts of climate change, available technology, and the current economic crisis represent the final tipping point for a much needed overhaul.

The Smart Grid Maturity Model will serve as a strategic framework for utilities, vendors, regulators, and consumers that have a role in smart grid transformation--from technological to regulatory to organizational.

The Smart Grid Maturity Model

The Smart Grid Maturity Model provides utilities with a roadmap of activities, investments, and best practices for transformation to the smart grid and guidance in related technological, regulatory, and organizational issues.

The Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon (SEI) is now the steward of the Smart Grid Maturity Model. The model was developed by IBM, and its ownership has been transferred to the SEI for its ongoing development and dissemination.

In addition to the SEI activities, the World Energy Council (WEC) will be a channel for global dissemination, participation and adoption of the model using its worldwide network of member committees.

The Smart Grid

The smart grid is the use of digital technology to modernize the power grid. It employs innovative products and services combined with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies to do the following:

• Facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies
• Allow consumers to play a part in optimizing the operation of the system
• Provide consumers with greater information and supply choices
• Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the electricity supply system
• Deliver enhanced levels of reliability and security of supply

More than meters and mobility, the smart grid represents a whole new framework for improved management of electric generation, transmission, and distribution.

During 2009, a specially assembled team of experts will be planning the best ways to maintain and improve the maturity model on behalf of its user community. 

To stimulate, guide, and support efforts and investments in smart grids, the SEI will assume primary responsibility for the ongoing governance, growth and evolution of the model. In order to support widespread adoption and use, the SEI will ensure availability of the model and supporting materials and services for the user community; maintain consistency of its application, validity, and results; and analyze and provide feedback on its use, value and impact for stakeholders.

Tom Standish, group president of Regulated Operations, CenterPoint Energy, encourages every utility to participate in the Smart Grid Maturity Model survey. "It provides insights into where you are on your smart grid journey and what milestone objectives to set to achieve the benefits of smart grid - for both customers and business," said Standish.

IBM initially led the development of the model in collaboration with the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition and with support from American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC). More than 40 utilities worldwide have participated in the model to date, representing 100 million customers of utilities across the globe. A key function of the Smart Grid Maturity Model tool is to gauge advancements made in Smart Grids and show returns on investments. This function allows it to be well positioned to have a role in procedures being implemented in support of the US efforts to modernize the power grid. The model offers observable indicators to measure progress, and helps facilitate the development and execution of smart grid programs.

A web page at SEI will be updated frequently to keep you up to date and let you know how you can participate. 

An online webinar is available about the Smart Grid:  http://www.sei.cmu.edu/collaborating/spins/033009webinar.html

Geothermal Heat Pump Machinist

Make precision metal or plastic parts for geothermal heat pumps, use numerically controlled computer machine tools and operate all machine tools as well as specialized tools for geothermal equipment.  Entry to mid-level jobs have high potential for growth as the technology advances, and jobs are available through private companies and utility plants.

Geothermal Electrical Engineer

Responsible for design, development, testing of all aspects of elecrical components and equipment for geothermal energy and temperature generation equipment.  Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with P.E. Professional Engineer certification qualifies workers in the rapidly growing geothermal industry that provides renewable power and temperature control resources.  Employers include private corporations, government facilities and power / utility facilities.

Geothermal Power Generation Mechanical Engineer

Professional Engineer (P.E.) certified engineers with mechanical engineering and renewable energies bachelor's degree works with boilers and steam turbines, vessels, piping, valves, control systems, equipment and piping support systems.  Mechanical engineers work with specifications, performance modeling and analysis, cost estimations and negotiation of supply and service contracts to generate renewable electric power.  Employers are usually utility companies and power plants.

Geothermal Plant Installation Technician

Installs geothermal projects -- entry level with experience in construction, refrigeration, electrical and/or plumbing installations are helpful.  Employment is with private firms and utility companies.

Geothermal Plant Efficiency Operator

Responsible for maintaining and monitoring plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations. Planning and handling hazardous materials and wastes in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner.  HAZMAT certification is required along with a high level of experience in power plant operations.  Government positions and power plants / utility companies hire plant efficiency operators.

Hydrogeologist

Hydrogeologists work on field-related research and monitoring of groundwater, collection of water level measurements and water quality samples from production and monitoring wells.  A B.S. degree in geology, hydrogeology, earth science or related field provides knowledge, aloong with experience in groundwater sampling activities and dydrogeologic data presentation to qualify for these jobs in the private sector, as well as government and power or utility plants.

What kind of people do traditional environmental firms and agencies need? The answer comes from The Environmental Careers Organization of Canada, which reports that the "top ten green jobs" up north are:

• Environmental engineer
• Environmental technologist
• Conservation biologist
• Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst
• Air-quality specialists
• Environmental communication officers
• Stewardship coordinator
• Environmental specialist
• Research coordinator
• Environmental coordinator

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