** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE PROJECTSCIENCE, MATH, AND AGRICULTURE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING (SMART) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL LITERACY WITH K-8 TEACHERS IN PUERTO RICOMAINLYADDRESSESTHE AFRI EWD GOAL OF GROWING AGRICULTURAL LITERACY BY TRAINING K-8 TEACHERS ON FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND DEVELOPING IMPROVED CURRICULA. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE PROJECT WILL CONCENTRATE ON THE ESTABLISHMENTOF A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR K-8 TEACHERS NAMEDTHE SCIENCE, MATH AND AGRICULTURE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING (SMART) CERTIFICATE; TRAIN K-8 EDUCATORS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION OF A SCHOOL GARDEN TO THEIR COURSES, WHERE THEY CAN APPLYREAL WORLD USES OF MATH, SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURAL CONCEPTS; AND PROMOTE THE USE OF AVAILABLE TEACHING RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM MATRIX AMONG EDUCATORS. TEACHERS WILL OBTAIN A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT UTUADO, LESSON PLANS AND A SCHOOL GARDEN KIT. ACTIVITIES FOR THE PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY, AT THE UPRU CAMPUS AND AT SCHOOLS. TEACHERS WILL BE MENTORED BY PROJECT PERSONNEL DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THEIR SCHOOL GARDENS AND LESSONS USE. IT IS EXPECTED THAT TEACHER TRAINING WILL PROMOTEAGRICULTURAL LITERACY IN SCHOOLS, HELPING STUDENTS FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS PUERTO RICO TOBETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE VITAL ROLE FARMERS PLAY. THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SEE MATH AND SCIENCE APPLICATIONS IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE, FACILITATING THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCE.