**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** INTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, BARRANQUITAS CAMPUS (IAUPR-BC) IN COLLABORATION WITH 6 PREMIER UNIVERSITIES (PURDUE UNIVERSITY, FORT VALLEY SATE UNIVERSITY, ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO) AND INDUSTRIAL PARTNER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCES, AIM TO MEET THE GOALS OF AFRI-PDAL THROUGH AN AMBITIOUS 4-YEAR PROJECT. A CONCERTED EFFORT ON PART OF THESE INSTITUTIONS WILL ADDRESS THE AFRI FARM BILL PRIORITY AREA OF AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF PUERTO RICO.THE FIRST OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT IS INTENSIVE, HANDS-ON TRAINING OF K-14 TEACHERS IN INQUIRY-BASED TEACHING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN THE AREA OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. IN LINE WITH THE VIEW TO 'TRAIN THE EDUCATORS', THE SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO STRENGTHEN ONLINE TEACHING SKILLS OF TEACHERS BY TRAINING THEM IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. FINALLY, THE THIRD OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT IS TO SELECT AND ENGAGES TEACHERS IN SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECTS AT ONE OF THE COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS. THIS THREE-PRONGED APPROACH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO GOALS OF THE PDAL PROGRAM AREA THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS, AND WILL ALSO BRING A PARADIGM SHIFT TO HOW EDUCATION ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IS DELIVERED TO SCHOOL STUDENTS. IT IS ENVISIONED THAT EVENTUALLY SUCH INTERVENTIONS WILL HELP CREATE A WORKFORCE OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO WILL BE READY TO TAKE ON THE AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.