Iowa is a leader in producing renewable energy, and now teachers and other educators can learn about renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel and others through a new graduate course offered by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation. The online course will offer two graduate credits from Drake University, Morningside University or Viterbo University through AEA PD Online.

The course, Renewable Energy from Agriculture and the Science of Sustainability, will begin January 18 and run through March 31. It will train teachers to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts in their classrooms.

FOR IOWA TEACHERS: Teachers are encouraged to enrich their professional development by taking a new course to help them learn more about renewable energy such as biofuels, wind, solar, etc. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation is making the course available.

The course is targeted toward middle and high school science teachers and agriculture teachers, but is open to all teachers interested in the subject or interested in expanding their science base. The course is also being offered for teacher license renewal credit.

Course is open to all teachers interested in this subject
"Educators will walk away from this course, after they take it, with a strong understanding of agriculture's role in providing renewable energy," says course instructor Will Fett. "Wind, solar and biomass energy, along with renewable fuels, all have big potential in helping meet our energy needs now and in the future."

The course is based on energy and agriculture lessons that were developed through a partnership with the Iowa Energy Center. The curriculum uses resources from the National FFA Organization, the Renewable Fuels Association and other sources. Upon completion of the course, participants will have access to 20 lesson plans targeted to high school students that they can immediately begin using with their students.

Educators interested in signing up for the class can find the registration information in the AEA PD Online professional development catalog online. Space is limited to the first 20 registrations, says Fett.

What is the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation?
IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa's students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. ALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom.

IALF was created through a joint effort of ag stakeholders, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, DuPont Pioneer, GROWMARK and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online at IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.