Not every child grows up with a deep understanding of the agricultural systems that supply the food we eat every day. The Florida Teacher Institute, a collaboration of the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the UF/IFAS department of agricultural education and communication, attempts to bridge the gap by inspiring curriculum capable of shaping informed environmental stewards.

“We’re helping teachers understand the role agriculture, life sciences and natural resources play in food security so they can share that knowledge with their students – many of whom might otherwise not be exposed to information like this,” said Charlotte Emerson, director of student development and recruitment for CALS.

Through May 27, CALS is accepting applications for the third-annual institute, a week-long residential summer program in Gainesville for elementary, middle and high school teachers. The session runs from July 6 to July 11.

This year’s cohort will tour UF/IFAS labs, farms and teaching sites and learn from UF/IFAS researchers and scientists specializing in a range of academic disciplines, including animal sciences, entomology and nematology and food science. Assisted by mentors and peers, participants will develop lesson plans to implement in their classrooms during the coming school year.

Past program participants have included public, private and charter schoolteachers from across the state. Each instructor earns 45 continuing education credits.

Monique Salazar, science department chair and research program coordinator for iMater Preparatory Academy High School in Hialeah, attended the institute in 2024. She discovered the information presented correlated with content from the AP environmental science classes she teaches.

“Having been introduced to so many of the opportunities CALS has to offer has helped me guide my students to choose agriculture-related career paths they are passionate about but normally would not connect to, including fields like astrobotany and agricultural engineering.”

To apply, visit cpet.ufl.edu/teachers/summer-programs/florida-teacher-institute.