Teachers offered free ag awareness tools

KAHULUI — Teachers in middle and high schools are invited to sign up for a two-day professional development workshop to help increase awareness about agriculture among students.

Sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project, the June 12-13 classes are being presented to educators at no charge.

Featured topics include the latest advances in agriculture, 21st century agricultural careers in Hawaii and developed lessons on agriculture for students.

The first day of the workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maui Community College.

As the featured industry representative, Ania Wieczorek, a biotechnologist from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources program, will answer questions and assist in classroom activities.

In addition, agriculture professionals in the Maui community will provide information about possible career paths for local students.

The June 13 class also will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include onsite tours of high-tech agricultural operations on the island.

After completing the class, teachers have the option to earn two professional development credits or a participation sti-pend.

To register online, go to the Hawaii Department of Education professional development Web site: http://fms-web2 .k12.hi.us/pderi/main1.aspx. For more information, contact Isla Young at 250-2888 or e-mail isla@medb.org.

The Agriculture Awareness Workshop is funded in part by the County of Maui, the Maui Farm Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education.