Jan 28 2011
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), an administrative unit within United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has declared introduction of two funding schemes that will provide more educational venues for students from mathematics and science stream, in bio-energy and bio-based commodities.
Announcing the funding Roger Beachy, NIFA’s director said that the Bioenergy and bio-based products has the potency to remain as the substructure for innovative introduction of new bio-products and services in the rural economy but it requires a trained and talented workforce to cope with the growing demand of the bio-economies. He added that the two investments will allow the U.S. educational system to get streamlined to achieve the energy goals of the country.
The first of the NIFA award amounting to $4,999,940 is given to Corinne Rutzke at Cornell University to supply 8th grade to undergraduate level teachers contents on multiple subjects, research -based training information and processes connected to the Northeast’s biomass products system. The information will enable the teachers to train the students on the employment opportunities offered in the bio-energy and bio-based product production. Rutzke is planning to associate with the researchers working with Ohio State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Pace Law School and Delaware State University in the process.
Richard Amasino, who works in University of Wisconsin, is another recipient and he has obtained $4,671,847 as award from NIFA to enable him to reinforce the regional level K-16 education system particularly those practiced at underserved schools by backing the teachers to get educated on details of the ecosystem and energy. The project will also introduce chances for the students to perform their own bio-energy research on a range of topics. The educational institutions that are associated with the project include Michigan State University and College of the Menominee Nation.