140 Virginia Tech Graduate Extension Scholars program: Report of a scholar

Abstract

Abstract The Graduate Extension Scholar program has the purpose of providing graduate students a unique professional development opportunity to develop high quality outreach programs, where the students actively participate in youth and adult education. The graduate scholar is assigned to an extension agent and a high school teacher. The program director and the graduate assistants hold weekly seminars, where program development and engagement strategies are presented to prepare the scholar for the task. The program has existed since 2014, with 14 scholars participating. The present report is related to a single program during the fall of 2017. A beef cattle reproduction symposium of a total of 5 lectures were taught for juniors and seniors in the Holston High School’s (Damascus, VA) agricultural class. The lectures were planned to provide the students both theoretical and hands-on activities on the topic of beef cattle reproduction. The theoretical portion of the class consisted of PowerPoint presentations on anatomy and physiology, as well as applied topics, such as factors influencing fertility and discussion case studies. The hands-on portion of the class consisted of activities related to reproduction, such as bovine female reproductive tracts anatomy and artificial insemination, simulation of rectal palpation with a mannequin (Breed’n Betsy) and demonstration of materials and technologies used in the field (nitrogen tank for semen storing and ultrasound). In addition, student assessment of knowledge was conducted and scores were used for the agricultural class final grade. Final grade mean for the class was 95. Finally, a field trip was organized to a local farm where students were able to perform rectal palpation and ultrasound in cattle. At the completion of the program, a survey was performed and all students considered the program positive and claimed to have gained knowledge of the subject.