Crop and Soil Science Rural School Science Education Fund

Rural Oregon has changed dramatically over the past two decades as the natural resource base that is the foundation of rural Oregon's economy has been affected by state, national and global policies and competition. There is a critical need to boost science education through contacts with scientists, application of interactive learning tactics, and the use of advanced scientific technologies to improve science achievement in rural schools. Rural schools face many challenges as they try to improve education for their students and implement state and national standards. Despite the fact that 40% of school age children attend schools in communities of less than 25,000 (NEA 2004 figure), rural teachers generally lack access to professional development opportunities, encounter professional isolation, have multiple preparations and extra curricular duties. In many instances, rural students are as poor as those living in the inner cities in terms of poverty rates, lack of parental support for education and success in meeting state and national benchmarks. Limited resources handicap science instruction while an understanding of science is essential in today’s world. We need to provide tools for rural teachers and schools to educate a new generation of students that is better equipped to deal with the changing structure of their community, our state and world.

Purpose: The Fund is being established to provide a source of flexible funds for use by Department of Crop and Soil Science faculty in providing science education opportunities for K-12 students in rural Oregon schools. Funds are to be allocated such that greatest impact is achieved in stimulating Oregon’s rural school students to think of science as a possible career opportunity and goal.

Funding: This Fund is being established with a small initial contribution from the Department of Crop and Soil Science with the intent of building the fund to an endowed level ($10,000) through outside contributions over the coming year. Our medium term goal is to reach an endowment level of at least $100,000 over the next three years. At this level, over $4500 would be available on an annual a basis to provide science education opportunities to rural school teachers and their students. Our long term goal is an endowment of $1 million dollars which would allow hiring of student fellows to assist in science education programs in rural schools and to provide significant levels of funding to innovative teachers for development of their own programs and sharing of their ideas with their counterparts across the state.

Contributions: Contributions in any amount can be made by writing a check to the “Crop and Soil Science Rural Science Education Fund” and mailing it to the OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333. General contributions will be used to build the fund balance to the endowed level. If you would like some funds immediately available for a specific rural science education project, please designate in a note accompanying your check the portion of your contribution for immediate use and the activity you would like to support with these funds. Those considering larger donations can contact Todd Bastian, College of Agricultural Sciences Development Officer, at 541-737-8724 or via email (Todd.Bastian@oregonstate.edu) for information on giving options.

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Our children are the future and you can make a difference in their knowledge of our scientific world.