GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The STEPS project is centered on creating and implementing reusable learning objects (RLOs) to enhance systems thinking capacity in undergraduate students studying food and agricultural sciences. Keep scrolling to learn more about our project goals and objectives.
01
Establish a measure of systems thinking capacity in food and agricultural science
Our team will develop and validate a Systems Thinking in Food and Agricultural Science (STFAS) scale to assess the impact and effectiveness of the STEPS project.
02
Create systems thinking tools for food and agricultural sciences education
Our team of six faculty at four universities will create nine interdisciplinary choose-your-own-adventure reusable learning objects for use in undergraduate classrooms.
03
Address USDA NIFA priority areas by creating adaptable tools for teaching about climate-smart solutions
The nine reusable learning objects developed by our team will cover three NIFA priority area topics in food and agricultural science education.
04
Increase use of systems thinking as a learning outcome in colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities
Our team will
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Integrate reusable learning objects (RLOs) in nine classes across five universities for two years, reaching 728 undergraduate students
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Developing a multi-institutional course using RLOs with 40 students enrolled
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Measure students' systems thinking capacities before and after using RLOs
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Conduct professional development sessions for faculty to integrate RLOs into their classrooms
05
Analyze and communicate the impact of systems thinking learning tools on students' systems thinking abilities
Our team will share our findings at research conferences and in published journal articles within the agricultural and natural science disciplines.