By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

I have covered many professional development opportunities this summer. What I heard over and over from the hosts and presenters was, “please contact me if you have any questions.”

Please contact me. Over and over. Presenters offered their email address and phone numbers. They repeated that teachers could contact their universities or organizations for help, classroom speakers or tours.

On a hot day in June, I found teachers taking advantage of the expertise at Kentucky State University. Ten teachers participated in the Agriculture, Food and Environment Academy. Educators learned through hands-on activities along the Kentucky River, at the Kentucky State University Research Farm and Aquaculture Center and in classroom labs.

Are you taking advantage of the experts in your area? Have you contacted your near-by universities, extension offices and businesses? They want to help you and your students. You just need to ask.

Associate professor Thomas Webster gives a brief tour of the Kentucky State University paw paw research orchard during the Agriculture, Food and Environment Academy. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Associate professor Thomas Webster gives a brief tour of the Kentucky State University paw paw research orchard during the Agriculture, Food and Environment Academy. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Fort Knox High School science teacher Nicole Reuss watches a bee crawl around her hand during the Agriculture, Food and Environment Academy. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Fort Knox High School science teacher Nicole Reuss watches a bee crawl around her hand. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Associate professor Thomas Webster discusses creating a bee hive for the classroom during the Agriculture, Food and Environment Academy. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Associate professor Thomas Webster discusses creating a bee hive for the classroom. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Assistant professor of soil science and micrometeorology Maheteme Gebremedhin discusses the micrometeorological station at the Kentucky State University research farm. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

Assistant professor of soil science and micrometeorology Maheteme Gebremedhin discusses the micrometeorological station at the Kentucky State University research farm.
Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

George Rogers Clark High School (Clark County teacher Courtney Grimes, Burgin Independent teacher Theresa Brooks and Bullitt Central High School (Bullitt County) teacher Michael Peake listen to assistant professor of soil science and micrometeorology Maheteme Gebremedhin at Kentucky State University. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015

George Rogers Clark High School (Clark County) teacher Courtney Grimes, Burgin Independent teacher Theresa Brooks and Bullitt Central High School (Bullitt County) teacher Michael Peake listen to assistant professor of soil science and micrometeorology Maheteme Gebremedhin.
Photo by Amy Wallot, June 18, 2015