WORTHINGTON – The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation recently received a $30,000 grant from the
DuPont Pioneer Giving Program to host the Ag Biotechnology Academy. This program introduced 41 science
teachers to the content and skills necessary for teaching biotechnology and other related agriculture
topics."The goals of the Ag Biotechnology Academy run parallel with the DuPont Pioneer Giving Program.
A main focus is to support science education; partnering to provide training for high school science
educators reaches the source of tomorrow’s bright science and agriculture minds," said Rebekah Peck,
communications manager at DuPont Pioneer.While attending the two-day conference, teachers participated in
several activities including an interactive panel led by farmer and industry leaders who discussed their
personal experiences with biotechnology."The Ag Biotechnology Academy has been extremely beneficial for
the new Ag Biotechnology program at Anthony Wayne High School, a satellite of Penta Career Center,"
said Whitney Short, Anthony Wayne High School agriculture teacher. "I have learned invaluable skills
and ideas to use in the classroom, which have engaged my students at a higher cognitive level. It has also
been great to connect with other teachers and build a network to support each other and gain ideas from
others throughout the year."Teachers had the opportunity to tour biotechnology labs at DuPont Pioneer
in Napoleon, Ohio, where they also toured test fields and got a firsthand look at the technology and
equipment soybean researchers use to help farmers produce an abundant food supply."I am very grateful
for the opportunity to be involved with this outstanding program," added Short. "Agricultural
biotechnology is key in feeding the growing population and this program has truly educated teachers about
how we can be part of this.""I really enjoyed seeing the science and agriculture concepts apply to
real life settings," said Pam Snyder, Fort Hayes Career Center for Columbus City Schools who teaches
BioScience Technology. "All the teachers are so appreciative of the supplies that we were able to take
home and can utilize in the classroom."Additional funding for the Ag Biotechnology Academy was made
possible through the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and OSCF, organizations directed by soybean farmers from
throughout the state."Professional development is essential to build the agriscience workforce
necessary for Ohio in the 21st century," said John Motter, OSC chairman and soybean farmer from Hancock
County. "Biotechnology is a hot topic today and the knowledge gained from the workshop will make it
easy for teachers to connect real-world biotechnology in the classroom."