Dr. Tom Dobbins, Dr. Caye Drapcho and Dr. Kathy Romero are the Co-Project Leaders
for developing the Biosystems Technology Curriculum.
$878,750 NSF Grant
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY AND GREENVILLE TECHICAL COLLEGE TO
DEVELOP BIOSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
GREENVILLE, SC… Officials representing Clemson University’s Biosystems Engineering Program and Agricultural Education Program along with Greenville Technical College’s Department of Biotechnology and Engineering faculty have announced the receipt of a $878,750 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop a Biosystems Technology curriculum for secondary schools, technical colleges and universities, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization.
Dr. Caye Drapcho, Associate Professor of Biosystems Engineering at Clemson and Project Co-Leader, said implementation of the new curriculum should substantially increase the number of qualified graduates needed to meet the work force demands of the growing bio-manufacturing industry.
The new curriculum will be implemented through Agricultural Education departments at the secondary school level, according to Dr. Tom Dobbins, Program Coordinator of Agricultural Education at Clemson University. “The program will significantly enhance the engineering, science and technology aspects of agricultural education as it focuses on Biosystems Technology,” he emphasized.
Dr. Kathy Romero, Professor of Biotechnology at Greenville Technical College , will also serve as a Co-Leader of the project.
The Advanced Technological Education Project team will develop and implement a three-tier curriculum including a Biosystems Technology pathway for secondary school Agricultural Education programs, a Biosystems Technology certificate program for Greenville Technical College and a Biosystems Technology minor for Clemson University.
Agricultural Educators in selected secondary schools in Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Dillon counties will participate in the initial development and implementation of the curriculum.
William E. Keels, state director of Agricultural Education, will serve as an advisor to the team. Clover High School FFA member K. Flint Holbrook will serve as a student advisor.
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Dr. Tom Dobbins (left) with State FFA Vice President Heather Coleman and Billy Keels at the press conference in Greenville. |
Clover High School FFA member K. Flint Holbrook is serving as an advisor to the Curriculum Development Team. |