By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently hosted its Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days across various locations in Iowa.
Aimed at connecting high school students with the latest advancements in agriculture, these events offered hands-on activities and networking opportunities with industry experts, researchers, and college representatives.
The events were designed to showcase career opportunities in agriculture while teaching students about modern precision agriculture practices and technologies.
The focus areas for this year’s event included precision agriculture, biosecurity, and the poultry industry.
More than 580 students participated in sessions across the state, learning about agriculture’s dynamic job market. “Precision Ag and Animal Science Days encourage Iowa high schoolers to look at the many career avenues agriculture offers,” said Beth Bunkers, youth program specialist with ISU Extension.
These connections can help guide students’ decisions about college and careers in agriculture.
Activities varied by location, including 12 hands-on activity sessions and keynote presentations in northeast and northwest Iowa, and five sessions, a career panel, and a college fair in southeast Iowa.
Students worked through personal journals during the event, recording reflections and future goals. Experiential learning activities ranged from GPS system use, crop marketing, aquaponics, egg grading, and drone operation to autosteering equipment and insect pest management.
One popular session featured drones, where students learned how drones benefit agriculture by enhancing productivity and sustainability. They also enjoyed a GPS scavenger hunt, exploring sprayer technology and GPS mapping with precision agriculture specialists.
The event featured presenters from ISU Extension, local colleges, and agribusinesses, including experts from ISU, Syngenta, Hy-Line North America, and local farmers. The program has held Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Seal of Approval since 2017, demonstrating its commitment to quality STEM learning for Iowa students.
As agriculture continues to grow and evolve, events like this aim to equip students with skills and connections for the future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education