Social media summary
Upon participating in a hands-on workshop at the Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center, 100% of undergraduate students reported learning gains in spray application technology, which could guide them towards careers in agricultural engineering or technology.
The Issue
The San Joaquin Valley is the most productive agricultural area in the world and yet students can miss the intricacies of the vast number of opportunities that exist in terms of career options. With the present promotion of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), it is possible for them to think about areas in computer coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence without realizing their place in agriculture. Yet, these areas intersect with agricultural production challenges in ways that present many exciting careers in agriculture. Creating awareness for students who are going to become the innovators of tomorrow is always a positive endeavor that can lead to great benefits to society.
How UC Delivers
On July 15, 2022, UCCE specialist Dr. Peter Ako Larbi and his AgAppE Lab staff delivered a 2-hour hands-on outreach workshop on spray application as part of a tour of the KARE Center. The tour was intended to broaden the students’ exposure to agricultural research and extension involving STEM. The visiting group consisted of the 2022 cohort of first year and transfer students in the San Joaquin Valley Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics Tools and Science (FACTS) Bridge Program at the University of California, Merced (UC-Merced). In attendance were fifteen undergraduate students, one graduate student, and two faculty instructors, Drs. Colleen Naughton and Safeeq Khan. Each student was provided a clipboard with fill-in notes, some reference materials, and a calculator for engaging with the presentations. The outreach engagement also fulfilled a deliverable of Dr. Larbi’s Pest Management Alliance Grant sponsored by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
Led by Dr. Larbi, the workshop started with an overview of the AgAppE Lab/Program, viewing of the “From flight to rest – the journey of a droplet” and “Effective Spray Application - from uncertainty to confidence” concept videos, and a spray equipment tour. These were followed by a spray drift demonstration in collaboration with postdoc scholar Dr. Abiodun Abioye. Dr. Larbi continued with an overview and demos of activity stations planned for student engagement. which included: 1) 'Airblast Spray Advisor' web app station; 2) nozzle types and flow rate station; 3) sprayer air profile station; 4) airblast sprayer output measurement station; and 5) backpack sprayer calibration station. He also did an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) boom sprayer demonstration.
After a short break, the students were divided into four groups and given the opportunity to complete guided hands-on exercises at the Airblast Spray Advisor web app station, the nozzle types and flow rate station, the airblast sprayer output measurement station, and the backpack sprayer calibration station. They followed instructions in printed notes and documented their measurements. Guidance assistance was provided by postdoc Dr. Abioye, lab assistant Daniel Cabrera, and lab assistant Sharon Asakawa. KARE Center staff research associate (SRA) Ryan Puckett operated the sprayer at the airblast sprayer output measurement station. UCCE specialist Jackie Atim provided additional documentation support during the workshop.
The workshop ended with a wrap-up and evaluation session where students completed an evaluation form to rate their learning in the various sessions. The amount of learning gained by the students was categorized on the evaluation form as “None”, “Not Much”, “Much”, and “Very Much”.
The Impact
The student participants were highly engaged throughout the 2-hour workshop. All 15 undergraduate students completed the evaluation forms. A summary evaluation results by topics is shown in the graphic below. Percentages of respondents who gained “much” to “very much” learning are as follow: 87% for Welcome, Introductions, and overview of AgAppE Lab; 80% for “From flight to rest” concept video; 87% for “Effective Spray Application” concept video; 93% for Spray equipment tour; 93% for Spray drift demonstration; 93% for Overview of activity stations; and 86% for Hands-on group activities. This indicates that the participants’ sentiments and reported learning gains varied during the course of the workshop, and some appreciated certain aspects more than others. However, 100% of the respondents revealed that they acquired “much” or “very much” learning from the entire workshop, indicating an effective workshop.
A major goal of this tour was to increase knowledge of agriculture and use of technology in agriculture in California. The cohort of students were early in their college degree education (first year, second year, or transfer students). The spray application workshop experience was meant to pique their interest in the subject of spray application engineering and potentially encourage them to consider a career in related areas. Based on the evaluation, the experience potentially improved their college readiness and access which aligns with UC ANR condition change of developing a qualified workforce for California. Developing such a qualified workforce widens the span of opportunities for individuals to become and stay competitive to promote a robust and thriving state economy. Dr. Larbi’s AgAppE Lab and the KARE Center continue to offer such exposures through tours and workshops to increase awareness of advancements in agriculture, technology, and research.