This project, called ASTEMA – Advancing STEM in Agriculture in 1890 HBCUs, is designed to attract high school and undergraduate STEM students underrepresented in FANH, to apply their degrees to career in food and agriculture. Modern agriculture and food science is a highly technical field of science and technology that often requires an interdisciplinary approach involving professionals with specializations in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and engineering, along with traditional agriculture and food science specialists. The workforce demand for well trained professionals in agriculture and food science is very high. However, students majoring in the science disciplines listed above often do not correlate their professional training with opportunities in public or private sector careers within food and agriculture. To bridge this gap, here we propose the FANE project that will train high school students, their educators, in collaboration and mentorship with undergraduate and graduate students for STEM EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE – to build careers in agriculture and food science, addressing all levels of preparation as one segregated pipeline. The project will include the academic year of scientific and professional development webinars followed by three weeks of active experiential learning travel camp with practice in research labs and agricultural facilities. Every year, project will involve 12 high school students from different minorities groups, three educators teaching high schoolers and/or working in after school programs, and two college students-leaders. During the camp time this group will collaborate with additional summer programs in PI's lab involving undergraduate and graduate students.

Contact Dr. Volkis vvolkis@umes.edu to get more information on the project