Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom has partnered with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board in educating Wisconsin elementary and middle school teachers and their students about soybeans and their many uses in food, household products, newspaper ink, and alternative fuels.
The Soybean Science Kit and curriculum, designed by researchers at Purdue University, uses soybeans to introduce students in grades 4-9 to science and its fundamentals, highlighting the principles of using biological, renewable resources. The kit includes everything necessary for 30 students to participate in 21 hands-on experiments and exercises. It also includes two new biotechnology lessons, an interactive CD-ROM and an instructional video tape. All lessons are aligned to National Science Education Standards.
The kit is an ideal resource for AITC coordinators in conducting hands-on demonstrations in the classroom or for circulating to local schools for use by teachers. The value of the kit is over $400 when purchased online. As part of our agreement with the Wisconsin Soybean Program, we would ask only that each AITC coordinator monitor the use of their kit and be able to periodically report to us which schools the kit travels to and how many teachers and students used the lessons and/or materials in the kit.
Materials in the kit may be reordered using a convenient form in the lesson binder. More complete information is available online at www.soybeansciencekit.com. Fifty-four kits have been distributed and there might be one in your county!