Hybrid Professional Development: Integrating Agriculture into STEAM & Social Studies

This dynamic, hybrid professional development experience is designed for educators—including teachers, extension personnel, and youth development professionals—who want to bring real-world agricultural concepts into their classrooms while aligning with Iowa Core standards in science and social studies. The program combines two days of in-person instruction with online coursework, offering participants the flexibility to learn at their own pace while engaging in hands-on experiences that enhance student learning.

Through this course, educators will explore how agriculture serves as a powerful context for teaching across multiple disciplines, including science, social studies, language arts, and math. Participants will gain practical strategies, ready-to-use lesson plans, and interactive activities that require little to no additional preparation—ensuring they can be seamlessly integrated into existing curricula. The focus on hands-on, experiential learning will drive high student engagement and create meaningful connections between classroom content and real-world applications.

Exploring Diverse Agricultural Systems & STEM Connections

One key component of this professional development experience is broadening educators’ understanding of agriculture beyond traditional row-crop and livestock farming. During one of the in-person days, participants will explore diverse agricultural enterprises that are less commonly associated with Iowa’s landscape. Through guided tours and site visits, educators will gain firsthand knowledge of specialized agribusinesses such as:

• Dairy operations – Understanding modern milk production, sustainability, and animal care.

• Nurseries and greenhouses – Exploring plant propagation, hydroponics, and controlled environment agriculture.

• Fruit and vegetable farms – Learning about specialty crop production, farm-to-table systems, and local food networks.

These experiences will provide participants with valuable background knowledge on alternative agricultural practices and how they meet the needs of farmers outside of traditional commodity-based agriculture.

The course also emphasizes the integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with the Arts to form STEAM, ensuring that agricultural concepts align with a well-rounded educational framework. Participants will discover innovative ways to connect agricultural topics with engineering challenges, environmental science, economics, and creative problem-solving.

Application & Implementation in the Classroom

The second in-person day will focus on applying newly acquired knowledge and instructional strategies. Educators will:

• Explore lesson plans and resources incorporating first-hand knowledge from site visits helping teachers to meet Iowa Academic Standards and National Agricultural Learning Outcomes. 

• Explore hands-on activities that encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.

• Network with fellow educators to share ideas, challenges, and solutions for agricultural integration in various educational settings.

By the end of the course, participants will leave equipped with actionable teaching tools, confidence in their ability to integrate agriculture into core subjects, and a renewed enthusiasm for making learning both real and relevant for their students.

This professional development opportunity is ideal for educators seeking to deepen their understanding of agriculture’s role in education while enhancing their students’ engagement with real-world applications.