Wa-Hi Agriscience teacher hones skills

Peggy Payne, agriscience educator at Walla Walla High School recently attended an 8-day professional development institute at Lexington, KY to teach the Principles of Agricultural Science – Plant Biology Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) course in Payne’s program.

CASE is an instructional system that is changing the culture of agriculture programs in the United States through intense teacher professional development; inquiry-based, student-focused lessons; assessment; and certification. CASE equips teachers to elevate student experiences in the agriculture classroom, and prepares students for success in college and careers emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

During the CASE Institute, Payne spent hours working through nearly every lesson in the year-long curriculum and learning how to deliver lessons in an inquiry-based way that will shift focus in the classroom from teacher-led to student-directed learning.

“I have waited a long time to teach plant biology at Wa-Hi. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for plants with Wa-Hi students,” said Payne.

Payne also attended a 6-day professional development institute at Story City, Iowa to teach the Physical Science-Agricultural Power and Technology; Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) course in the freshman program. Payne spent 65 hours working through nearly every lesson in the year-long curriculum and learning how to deliver lessons in an inquiry-based way that will shift focus in the classroom from teacher-led to student-directed learning.

“This CASE curriculum uses an engineering/design focus, incorporating technology, as students learn “traditional” physics and chemistry. The result is an engaging hands-on lab experience that freshman will love,” said Payne.

For more information about CASE, visit www.case4learning.org