The Building Agriculture Teachers’ Network through Empowering FOOD Entrepreneurship
The Building Agriculture Teachers’ Network through Empowering FOOD Entrepreneurship uniquely utilizes evidence-based integrated STEM (iSTEM) teaching strategies and using a project-based learning approach to engage students in hydroponics, a controlled environment agriculture technology, to empower urban agricultural educators to teach STEM through food systems. In addition, the project aims to increase educators’ agricultural and STEM literacy and teaching capacity by simulating pre- and post-harvest stages of a food production system to inspire students to develop entrepreneurial readiness and intentions. The project is a direct response to calls for the demand for talents to fill the U.S. STEM and agriculture, food, and nature resources (AFNR) pipeline.
Participating teachers will complete a one-year TPD sequence consisting of:
1. iSTEM online modules and feedback on hydroponics curriculum
2. A five-day face-to-face training with hands-on hydroponics activities (Tentatively July 20th -24th 2026)
3. Five virtual workshops throughout the year
4. Nine hydroponics Q&A sessions for instructional and technical support
5. Attendance and presentation at a professional conference (2027 and 2028)
The project will provide:
1. Teacher stipend: $2,000 per teacher, per year. Total of $4,000 across the two-year participation period
2. Hydroponics classroom support funds: $5,000 total for building and maintaining classroom hydroponics systems. $3,000 provided in Year 1, and $2,000 provided in Year 2. The money can be used for systems, materials, consumable, replacement parts, and instructional supports.
3. Travel Coverage: Mileage and lodging for the five-day in-person training are fully covered
If you are interested, you can contact me directly for details
Hui-Hui Wang
Email: huiwang@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-6897