WIU Hosts Agriscience Training Event For Middle School Teachers

By Andi Anderson

Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Agriculture recently organized the AgXplore BriefCASE Institute, a two-day professional development program for middle school agriculture teachers. Educators from across Illinois attended the event to strengthen their teaching skills and gain knowledge about a structured and modern agriculture curriculum.

The program was developed by Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) 4 Learning. It offers a full-year curriculum designed specifically for the AgXplore program, helping teachers deliver meaningful and engaging lessons. CASE 4 Learning is an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education and focuses on improving agricultural teaching methods nationwide.

"The AgXplore BriefCASE Institute benefitted teachers from across the state who are planning to implement this curriculum into middle school agriculture programs," Dusti Ingles, WIU Agricultural Education professor said. "The number of middle school programs in Illinois is growing and the CASE curriculum offers a strong classroom foundation. We were excited to be able to offer this professional development opportunity to teachers with the support of the Illinois Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) project."

The CASE 4 Learning curriculum is designed using inquiry-based methods, encouraging students to explore and learn actively rather than relying only on teacher instructions. The program uses Activity, Project, or Problem-based learning, which helps students understand academic concepts in a practical way. It also aligns with educational standards to support both classroom learning and career readiness.

During the training, participating teachers experienced each lesson in the curriculum themselves. This hands-on approach helped them understand how to guide students effectively and shift from traditional teaching methods to more interactive, student-centered learning styles.

Dusti Ingles coordinated the event and worked closely with CASE leaders and staff to ensure its success. The institute not only provided valuable training but also created a supportive environment where teachers could share ideas and build professional connections.

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