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Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment Receives
National Science Foundation Grant
By
Laura Skillman
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Oct. 10, 2007) – The Tracy Farmer Center for
the Environment at the University of Kentucky has received a
$1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to train
middle and high school teachers and students to use remote
sensing and three-dimensional modeling technology to study
natural resource problems in their communities.
Ten multidisciplinary teams of five teachers and four student
project leaders from each school will participate in a yearlong
program, said Carol Hanley, the center’s director of education
and communications.
“Educating Kentucky’s youth in environmental policy is key to
the mission of the center,” said Tracy Farmer, horseman,
entrepreneur and founding benefactor of UK's Tracy Farmer Center
for the Environment. “By making a difference in communities, the
center can help Kentucky understand and promote sound policies.
We are proud of this nationally competitive grant and the
recognition that goes with it.”
The three-year National Science Foundation grant will allow the
Tracy Farmer Center to build on its current list of
community-based education and outreach projects.
“The college of agriculture considers promoting science-based
environmental education one of our most important activities,”
said Nancy Cox, associate dean for research and director of the
UK Agricultural Experiment Station. “We are grateful that the
schools have confidence in Dr. Hanley’s leadership and are
participating in this prestigious National Science Foundation
program.”
The Information Technology through Community–Based Natural
Resources program includes a two-week summer institute for
teachers and selected student leaders, yearlong teacher
professional development, yearlong community-based explorations
for students, yearlong support by information technology
professionals, presentations by participants at conferences,
integration of IT professionals into schools and workshops for
guidance counselors and parents.
The students and teachers will work with researchers from the
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and IT staff from
the Interactive Digital Center at the Kentucky Community and
Technical College System. The program uses the collaborative
skills of these professionals to integrate geospatial, remote
sensing and 3-D computer visualization technology to bring
timely and relevant research to the classroom, Hanley said.
It uses information technology to excite Kentucky students about
science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers and
brings multidisciplinary teams of teachers together to
investigate community problems using technology, she said. The
program’s goal is to increase student and teacher knowledge of
remote sensing technology and 3-D computer visualization.
Participants will develop and use 3-D models and GIS maps and
disseminate them statewide.
“We are partnering with Commerce Lexington to bring IT
professionals into classrooms to make career connections.
Guidance counselors will create career albums of local
opportunities that might be of interest to the students. This
program will increase all participants' understanding of
community natural resource careers that demand IT skills,”
Hanley said.
The broader impacts of this project include a lasting
collaborative partnership among teachers, IT instructors at
KCTCS’ Interactive Digital Center and researchers within UK’s
College of Agriculture, and the integration of innovative
technology and research into schools’ curricula.
The Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment is the University of
Kentucky's focal interdisciplinary center for the comprehensive
integration of research, education, and public service that
advances understanding of environmental systems. The center also
works to develop sustainable technologies and solutions to these
environmental problems and issues, and to successfully transfer
and disseminate technologies and solutions to all levels of
government, private organizations, businesses, corporations and
individuals.
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Contact: Carol Hanley, 859-257-3780
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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e-mail the
webmaster
Copyright © 2001-2006 University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture,
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service |
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