2013 Ag Discovery Class
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
Sixteen high school students from across the country recently completed a whirlwind, three-week adventure with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland. The teens were part of the annual Ag Discovery program – an academic outreach program designed to help youth learn about careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness and plant pathology.
The students spent three weeks living in UMD dorms but their experiences certainly weren’t confined to the campus. During their time here, the teens got a behind-the-scenes tour at the National Zoo, took a trip to an organic farm, visited the USDA headquarters and Capitol Hill, spent some time with experts at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, traveled to Wilmington, Del. and the Dupont Research Lab, got their hands dirty inside the UMD greenhouse and met with countless faculty and professionals.
“It’s so exciting to be able to take the students out into the field so they’re able to engage with people who are in these fields related to agricultural sciences,” said Evelyn Cooper, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of AGNR. “They’re also learning more about what it takes to prepare themselves academically for these career fields.”
The 2013 Ag Discovery students were selected from a pool of roughly 100 who submitted essays and applications for admission. They hailed from nine different states including Maryland, Texas, Missouri, Florida and Puerto Rico.
“I really want to go to vet school and then maybe go work for the government one day so this is really helping me decide what I want to do in the future,” said Tess Janson of Maryland.
Ag Discovery scholars also engage in college-level course work during their time in the program and earn three UMD credits through AGNR 100: “An Educational Odyssey Exploring Food, Culture and the Environment.” They also gain hands-on experience through labs, workshops and group activities.
“This is a great way to let me see what I’m getting myself into in the future,” said Kirbian Peters from Texas, who also hopes to become a veterinarian.
During their three weeks on campus, the Ag Discovery students were also featured on Fox 5 DC! Click here to view the segment.
This is the eighth year the College of AGNR has partnered with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to bring Ag Discovery to the University of Maryland. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery.
