ASCEND Project: Imperial Valley Agriculture Learning Center

El Centro School District, El Centro CA

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal seeks funding for an after-school program in science for 2,000 middle school students in grades 6-8. The proposed after-school Imperial Valley Agriculture Learning Center project is designed to engage underrepresented groups of middle school students in sustentative after-school activities in specific areas of science, mathematics and technology. The science content will focus on agricultural science and will include topics such as entomology, soils, meteorology and genetically modified crops. Four twelve-week programs will be offered each year and students will attend two sessions per week (after school). The project is a cooperative initiative between El Centro School District, The Valley Imperial Project in Science LSC, The San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus and the University of California, Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Desert Research and Extension Center.