Conference Schedule

Agriculture Environments, Natural Resources & Security

Environmental Sampling Methods &Tools (Lab Based)
Participants will spend time in the field using geospatial technology, including GPS units, to locate and obtain non-point source water and soil samples from agricultural operations. These environmental samples will be spatially located, collected, and transported to a laboratory setting, where participants will analyze samples for various physical, chemical, and biological parameters using a number of state-of-the-art analytical devices to measure pH, salinity, temperature, soil moisture, and a number of other parameters consistent with environmental science instruction. This highly interactive session will prepare participants to learn about cutting edge technologies for enhancing learning opportunities across multiple scientific disciplines. This will enable participants to apply the technologies and methods with the students they teach.

Environmental Sampling Using Geospatial Technology (Field/Lab Based)
Participants will spend time in the field using geospatial technology, including GPS units, to locate and obtain non-point source water and soil samples from agricultural operations. These environmental samples will be spatially located, collected, and transported to a laboratory setting, where participants will analyze samples for various physical, chemical, and biological parameters.  This session will include aspects of applied Biotechnology using state-of-the-art automated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for DNA sequencing for determination of E. Coli bacteria from wastewater samples.  Participants will learn about cutting-edge technology to streamline processing times from several hours to several minutes. This automated process bypasses the need to use bacteria for amplifying DNA.

Lab-Based: LabQuest Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry
Robyn Johnson, Vernier Software & Technology, Beaverton, OR, will demonstrate the new LabQuest, data collection and analysis device. With LabQuest, you can collect data such as temperature, relative humidity, pH, or salinity. LabQuest comes with a color touch screen, 40 MB on-board storage with further expansion through SD/MMC or USB drive, four channels for Vernier sensors, and a rugged enclosure with rubber molding for shock absorption. It can be used as a computer interface or as a stand-alone device for easy portability into the field. LabQuest has built-in graphing and analysis software and makes math and science real.
Robyn Johnson - Vernier Software & Technology, Beaverton, OR

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Alternative Energy for Agriculture

Presentation: Educational Needs Related to Project 25x’25
Discussion of high priority research and education as identified by a variety of public and private sector scientists who provided input, in order to achieve the vision, that “by 2025, America’s farms, ranches and forests will provide 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to provide safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber.”
Dr. Duane Acker

The Role of ATEEC in Energy Education
As an NSF Resource Center, the Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) helps leverage the funding being spent across the country on environmental and energy education, by providing technician educators with opportunities to share resources and to avoid “reinventing the wheel.” In addition the ATEEC (http://www.ateec.org/) provides a centralized online location for sustainable energy education and training, including labor market assessment, curriculum, instructional materials, program improvement, professional development, and networking opportunities. This session will cover the resources sustainable energy education materials available to instructors.

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Agriculture Geospatial Technology

Panel Discussion: Current & Future Use of Geospatial Technology
Experts in Geospatial Technologies such as Remote Sensing, GIS (Geographic Information System and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) will update participants on the current use and future potential of GIS software, sensors, satellite photography, and multispectral imaging in agriculture.
Matthew Bechdol – ESRI
Michael Vos – Ag Leader Technology Inc
Mike Tully – Aerial Services Inc
Matt Webber – Mosaic Crop Nutrition

Panel Discussion: Successful Program Implementation
Why are some new programs successful while others fail?  What steps need to be taken when starting a new program on your campus?  Experts, including faculty and administrators, will discuss successful implementation of a program. The model program of study in “Agriculture Geospatial Technology” will be featured.
Terry Brase – Kirkwood Community College
Dr. Joe Jen – Cal Poly
Dr. Rick Rudd – Virginia Tech
Bob Welch – Lansing Community College

Curriculum Presentation: AGIS in Agriculture
Participants in this session will be introduced to the AGIS in Agriculture curriculum developed by Digital Quest. Agriculture is one in a series that examines an entire industry/ career cluster to show students how much Geospatial Technology impacts and improves an industry. Guided lessons and scenarios give students hands on experience with GIS Software. This AGIS in Agriculture book will examine the industries involved from animal and plant systems to power infrastructure to resource and agribusiness management. Students learn how GIS impacts all of these industries and how all of these industries use GIS to function as complements to other industries in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Cluster.
Eddie Hanebuth – Digital Quest Inc
Liz Rotzler – Digital Quest Inc

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Agricultural Biotechnology

Real-time PCR Analysis
Understand the molecular basis of DNA amplification using real-time technology, discover the importance of conventional and real-time PCR analysis, understand how real-time PCR can quantitate the DNA in a sample, and become familiar with real-time PCR instrumentation options and analysis software. Give your students a competitive edge in the real world of biotechnology research        

Lab-Based: BT Corn Experiment
This demonstration will show a laboratory protocol that allows students to see first-hand how Bt corn resists European corn borers.  During the first stage of the of the demonstration, teachers and students grow Bt corn and non-Bt corn in the classroom for several weeks (in a large plastic container).  When the corn reaches the appropriate growth stage the whole plants are infested with European corn borer egg masses. Students observe the differences in infestation rates between the Bt and non-Bt plant tissue. Students are asked to solve practical problems and issues related to the use of Bt corn.
Ian Watkinson - Arizona Western Community College

Lab-Based: BioRad Bacterial Transformation and Green Fluorescent Protein Purification Kits (2.5 hrs)
Genetic engineering has led to a phenomenal explosion of new health treatments, agricultural applications, and environmental solutions. In this hands-on workshop you will create your own genetically modified organisms and designer proteins and explore the mechanisms of gene expression and genetic selection. You will transform bacteria with a bioluminescent jellyfish gene that codes for the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) then purify GFP from transformed bacteria using a key process in biomanufacturing, chromatography! DNA > RNA > PROTEIN > TRAIT — Green Fluorescence! Learn key background and how to prep the lab. Do exactly what your students will do.

Lab-Based: BioRad GMO Investigator™ Kit (2.5 hrs)
Have your favorite foods been genetically modified? Currently genetically modified foods are not required to be labeled as such. This hands-on workshop teaches the basics of DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis and how these techniques are used to test common grocery store food products for the presence of GMO foods. Are GM crops a good thing? Regardless of where you stand in the GM debate, wouldn't it be interesting to know which corn and soy-based foods you eat are GMO foods? Learn key background and how to prep the lab. Do exactly what your students will do.

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DEMONSTRATIONS

Thursday, May 29, 2008
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Diamond V: Examining a Fistulated Animal
Joan Butler research scientist with Diamond V will provide a demonstration with a fistulated animal. Conference participants will have the opportunity to go to Diamond V’s research facility and view and learn first-hand about the artificial rumen and its use in research. There will be an opportunity to see a fistulated animal and gather samples. This special tour can accommodate a group of no more than 25 people (this tour and demonstration will be offered three times allowing up to 75 people to participate.)

Diamond V is recognized throughout the animal nutrition field as an innovative, scientifically-motivated feed ingredient supplier. For more than 60 years, Diamond V has been creating research-proven products that provide solutions for a variety of nutritional problems encountered in modern animal agriculture.

Agrobotics, LLC - Product: AutoProbe
The first high speed, on-the-go soil sampler for precision soil sampling. Samples are collected at a precise depth and interval over a section of land. On a 2.5 acre grid, twenty cores are pulled to constitute a sample. This is done at a constant speed of 8mph. The machine is guided and steered with GPS. Website: www.agrobotics.com

Biodiesel/Biofuels - College of Southern Idaho, Ross Spackman

John Deere AutoSteer – Kevin Blusher

ePower Synergies, Inc. – Russell J Meier

Wind Generation and Solar Panel – Todd Trammell ATEEC

Exhibits & Displays

School-to-Work Program - Debbie Stevens, Director of the SUCCESS Center
Promotes partnerships between the Oskaloosa business and education communitites to provide career exploration opportunities that will help build better students and prospective employees.

Prairie High School - Student Presentations

ESRI

AgCareers

Digital Quest Inc.

Vigortone

Iowa State

Bismarck College

Vernier Software & Technology

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