Page 21 - CFAN_Mar2014

AgriNews

People are surprised to know
4-H is not solely
that Florida Agriculture In The Classroom
horticulture
about and Selects Four Teachers For 2014 Excellence
agriculture, GUSTAVO
but also
community service In Teaching About Agriculture Award
JUNCO

skills
for the future.”
GAINESVILLE – A South Florida high school chemistry students grow sunflowers in a school garden, and extract

teacher who shows students how to power a go-kart with bio oil from the seeds that is then converted into biodiesel to
fuel the go-kart they built. His honors chemistry class takes
“Mambo Italiano” to a man named Willie; diesel they make from corn and sunflower seed oil is the overall
winner of Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s (FAITC) 2014 it one step further and experiments with turning sugarcane
her grandfather also visits this nursing home
frequently and heard the residents discussing Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award.
juice into cellulosic ethanol. In addition, one student has
GUSTAVO JUNCO, an advanced placement chemistry turned the cellulosic ethanol project into a science fair
how they hoped their club would come back
and sing again soon. “They are very happy teacher at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines experiment in which she will try to determine the method
in Broward County, won for the high school level and that produces the highest concentration of glucose.
about the things we do,” Colston adds, “and
overall Florida level.
“Agriculture can provide us with inexpensive renewable
bringing them joy is my goal at the nursing He joins three other teachers selected for FAITC’s energy,” Junco wrote in his application. “My students and
home.” She’s motivated by her passion to
Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Awards for I have researched and experimented on biodiesel, ethanol,
help our community, and, at 14 years old, she KATRINA MADOK, and cellulosic ethanol as viable forms of renewable energy.”
doesn’t plan to stop volunteering any time this year – an elementary gifted
teacher at Gerald Adams Elementary in Key West; KATIE To read more about the three other recipients of the
soon. Colston encourages other young people
to “go ahead and volunteer! It’s a worthwhile SCHLOTTERBECK, a middle school science teacher 2014 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award,
at St. Michael Lutheran School in Fort Myers; and ERIN visit our website at www.CentralFloridaAgNews.com.
experience. People are surprised to know
that 4-H is not solely about horticulture and VERPLANCK SMITH, a middle school agri-science The four winning teachers will receive all expenses paid
teacher at Keystone Heights Junior Senior High School in trips to the 2014 National Agriculture in the Classroom
agriculture, but also community service skills
Clay County.
National Conference “The Sweet Story of Agriculture” June
for the future.”
“These teachers exemplify what Florida Agriculture in 23-27 in Hershey, PA.
Congratulations to both young ladies for
the Classroom is looking for in award-winning teachers,” FAITC is a Gainesville-based, non-profit organization
their achievements and dedication to their said Ken Barton, chairman of Florida Agriculture in the that is charged with educating pre-kindergarten through
communities! ag
Classroom and executive director of the Florida Peanut 12th grade students about the importance of Florida

Producers. “They use agriculture-related themes to teach agriculture. It does so by providing teachers and agriculture
language arts, math, science and social studies, which helps industry volunteers with curricula, materials, workshops,

make these subjects more relevant to students.”
grants and programs such as the Excellence in Teaching
“Teachers’ use of these concepts gives students a general about Agriculture Award and Florida Agriculture Literacy

GRACE COLSTON
understanding of the vital role agriculture plays in students’ Day. It is funded by sales of the agriculture specialty license
daily lives,” Barton said, “and a more in-depth study of the plate called the “Ag Tag.”
(center) and some
complicated processes involved in the life sciences.”
of her fellow club Ten-year teaching veteran Junco teaches agro ecology FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
members at the Tigers
and advanced placement chemistry to 10th, 11th and 12th LISA GASKALLA BY CALLING (352) 846-1391 OR
Game 4-H booth.
graders at West Broward High School. His chemistry
EMAILING gaskalla@ufl.edu

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