Soybean Summer Science Institute

In June, 15 teachers took part in a 3-week-long immersive professional development that trained them to use inquiry-based learning in their classrooms. This August, they’ll head back to school with new skills and fresh lesson plans — and soybeans.

The Soybean Summer Science Institute trains teachers in inquiry-based learning, which teaches students to ask questions and discover the answers themselves. Using soybeans as a model, teachers practiced asking questions and finding evidence-based solutions.

This training model has the added benefit of bringing agriculture into classrooms across the state. Many participants reflected that, because of their own ag background or urban setting, they were surprised at the unfamiliarity of their students with agriculture. Being generations removed from the farm, many students don’t know what questions to ask.

“Agriculture education can feel overwhelming at first, like one more thing to add to an already full schedule,” reflected one participating teacher. “But what I realized is that agriculture connects naturally to what we’re already doing in the classroom. It fits into existing lessons and provides meaningful opportunities for students to learn.”

The program is led by Brian McCornack, Kansas State University professor, researcher and department head of Entomology. Fifteen years ago, McCornack was approached with the opportunity; since then, he says, he’s realized this program is much bigger than himself, the participants or Kansas Soybean.

“It’s truly transformational. I don’t know how else to describe it,” McCornack said at the farewell dinner. “I can’t believe what an honor it is to be in this position, to be supported by Kansas soybean farmers and to help bring a program like this to life for all of you. Knowing what this experience means for your students this fall, next fall, and for years to come makes it incredibly rewarding.”

The result of this program is teachers on fire for a new way of learning, and for opening students’ eyes to the food system they depend on. They went home with lesson plans developed around inquiry-based learning and soybeans, giving them actionable tools to implement in the classroom.

“My hope is that you leave here realizing you’re never that far away from a farmer,” McCornack finished. “Invite one into your classroom. Continue building those connections. As we work together, the road ahead may be long and challenging, but we’ll be better prepared because we’re walking it together.”