Source: Rend Lake College submitted to
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TECHNOLOGY & AQUACULTURE (SITA)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
SERD GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0203369
Grant No.
2005-38414-15657
Project No.
ILLE-2005-02754
Proposal No.
2005-02754
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
UV
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2005
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2009
Grant Year
2005
Project Director
Holman, S. L.
Recipient Organization
Rend Lake College
(N/A)
Ina,IL 62846
Performing Department
APPLIED SCIENCES
Non Technical Summary
Southern Illinois is a rural, poverty stricken area in need of economic development and innovative curricula leading to sustainable employment within the region. Alternative agriculture education is presently viewed as just that, an alternative, at Rend Lake College. Curriculum development specific to needs for employment and career opportunities in alternative agriculture fields such as aquaculture is imperative. The purpose of this project is to develop a curriculum in aquaculture using multimedia resources and thus expanding career opportunities for community college students. This project will also involve the training of area agriscience high school instructors and agriscience industry members in aquaculture in hopes of expanding aquaculture careers to high school students and improving economic development by providing agriscience industry members expertise in aquaculture.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives in this project that will improve the aquaculture program at Rend Lake College include the: Creation of a four credit hour introductory aquaculture hybrid course with lab/field experience; Creation of a three credit hour internet course as a modified version of the first objective; Expansion of four credit hour course with lab to dual credit status and thus offered at the high school level as college credit; Establishment of indoor recirculating aquaculture systems at participating dual credit high schools; and Establishment of a summer aquaculture camp for interested high school students in a career in aquaculture, enhancing competency in the aquaculture field for agriscience high school instructors, and providing demonstrations and expertise to area residents interested in learning more about aquaculture. The expected products and results of this project will include a new four credit hour introductory aquaculture hybrid course with lab, a three credit hour online course in aquaculture, the establishment of a dual-credit course, an annual summer camp and fall conference for aquaculture, an aquaculture program website, and equipment for Rend Lake College to create a professional lab setting for the new hybrid course as well as equipment for an indoor recirculating aquaculuture system at participating high schools in the college district. The measurable outcomes of this project include anticipation of a 10% increase in students majoring in agrisciences with emphasis in aquaculture at Rend Lake College, a 10% increase in students enrolled in the introductory aquaculture course from Fall 2005 to Fall 2006 due to the expanded lab/field operations system on campus at Rend Lake College, and articulation of introductory aquaculture course to four-year universities in Illinois, namely Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Specific plans for continuing this project include the development of additional coursework towards a certification in aquaculture at Rend Lake College. The certificate will begin being offered in fall semester 2007. In the fall of 2008, Rend Lake College is planning to offer an Associate in Applied Science degree in aquaculture based on a strong development in a 2 plus 2 curriculum between district high school's dual-credit courses and Rend Lake College originated by the SITA project. The dual-credit introductory aquaculture course in Rend Lake College district high schools will continue with a goal of increasing enrollment in each high school 5% for every course offering over the next five years. This will ensure a strong relationship for the planned 2 plus 2 curriculum between Rend Lake College and district high schools.
Project Methods
These objectives will be accomplished through creation of the introductory aquaculture hybrid course and the three credit hour internet course by the project director, Steve Holman, applied science division chair, Sarah Ochs, and multimedia personnel of the information technology department at Rend Lake College. It is the intent of the project director and division chair to receive aid in articulating this new course with Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The accomplishment of the dual credit course set-up in high schools will be under the direct guidance of the applied science division chair. The summer camp will be co-directed by the project director and the division chair and will include speakers within the research field and aquaculture industry from surrounding fish farms and hatcheries, Rend Lake College faculty, and researchers from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In the fall of 2005 start up and execution will begin with the implementation of the introductory aquaculture hybrid course with lab. The course will be offered to all residents of Rend Lake College district but will focus on recruiting secondary level agriscience instructors. An evaluation of the course will follow. In spring 2006 execution of the project will occur offering a modified introductory aquaculture course for the internet and implemention of the indoor RAS programs in district high schools of agriscience instructors that completed fall 2005 course. An evaluation of the internet course and site visits at high schools with indoor RAS will follow. In summer 2006 execution and dissemination will begin with preparation for the summer aquaculture camp along with creation of the aquaculture program and project website. On-line feedback and tips will be allowed during this process. A five day summer camp for area residents, secondary and community college students will be held. This will be composed of seminars given by experts in aquaculture, area fish farmers, current student projects at the community college level and by secondary agriscience instructors that have completed the introductory hybrid course. An evaluation of the summer camp by participants will be completed by weeks end. In fall 2006 execution and dissemination will continue with the offering of dual-credit courses to secondary students in district high schools. Site-visits of classes in session by the project director. A fall conference including presentations, poster presentations and seminars on the project's accomplishments will also be scheduled with survey evaluation of the conference by participants. December 2006 will conclude this project's funding period and assessment of project impact and evaluation of overall program including sustainability requirements will be done by an external consultant. Dr. Chris C. Kohler, professor and director of fisheries and aquaculture, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale will serve in this capacity.

Progress 08/01/05 to 01/31/09

Outputs
The Southern Illinois Technology and Aquaculture (SITA) project completed all project objectives. These objectives included: 1)the creation of a four credit hour Introduction to Aquaculture hybrid course with lab/field experience; 2)creation of a three credit hour internet course as a modified version of objective one; 3)expansion of the four credit hour course with lab to dual-credit status and thus offered the course at the high school level for college credit; 4)establishment of indoor recirculating aquaculture systems at Rend Lake College and participating high schools and 5)establishment of a summer aquaculture camp for high school students. One small modification was that the summer aquaculture camp was converted into a workshop/showcase for participating students including a tour of the SIUC lab and a lecture by Chris and Sue Kohler of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Due to the loss of the Project Director, an increase in enrollment in the Introduction to Aquaculture course did not occur. PRODUCTS: The products of this project are both virtual and physical. One product includes the creation of an on-line introductory aqauculture course which was offered to students of Rend Lake College and the implementation of a dual-credit course for high school students in the college district. Physical products include the completion or near completion of three indoor recirculating demonstration systems at Rend Lake College and at Christopher and Wayne City high schools. OUTCOMES: As indicated earlier in the report, all project objectives were met. Forty-two students benefited from the project by enrolling in the Introduction to Aquaculture course and/or by participating in the SIUC seminar or the seminar held at the Rend Lake Resort. Twenty-five high school instructors and area residents attended the seminar at the Rend Lake Resort. Three indoor recirculating aquaculture systems were contructed and are functional. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: During the course of the project,the college used various means to publicize and promote the project. The college's Marketing and Public Information office prepared press releases when the grant was awarded to inform the public and generate interest in the project. Information on the project was also available on the college website. The aquaculture course was listed in the college course schedule and high school counselors were made aware of the course. The seminars at SIUC and the Rend Lake Resort were also publicized in and covered by local media. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Unfortunately, the Project Director, and guiding force behind this project, left the college in December of 2008. As a result, enrollment in the Introduction to Aquaculture course has not occured since the Spring Semester of 2009. Without the coordination provided by the Project Director, interest in the project and course have waned. The college has continued with the articulation process with four-year universities in the event that the course is resurrected sometime in the future if interest warrants.

Impacts
Although the sustainability of this project did not occur as originally planned, the project did have a significant positive impact during its existence. Interest in aquaculture in the area improved. Forty-two students and twenty-five high school instructors and area residents learned more about aquaculture. The three recirculating tanks were constructed and are functional. Therefore, the project will continue to have a positive impact on aquaculture in southern Illinois.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 08/01/05 to 08/01/06

Outputs
The Southern Illinois Technology and Aquaculture (SITA) project progress report has completed or is in the process of completing all project objectives. These objectives include: 1) creation of a four credit hour introductory aquaculture hybrid course with lab/field experience; 2) creation of a three credit hour internet course as a modified version of objective one; 3) expansion of four credit hour course with lab to dual-credit status and thus offered at the high school level as college credit; 4) establishment of indoor recirculating aquaculture systems at participating dual-credit high schools; and 5) establishment of a summer aquaculture camp for interested high school students in a career in aquaculture, enhancing competency in the aquaculture field for agriscience high school instructors, and providing demonstrations and expertise to area residents interested in learning more about aquaculture. In Fall 2005, Rend Lake College created a 5-credit hour hybrid course called Introduction to Aquaculture. The course enrolled five students, four of which were dual-credit high school agriculture and biology teachers and one traditional Rend Lake College student. The students did all of their work on-line in quizzes, discussion topics, article reviews and exams with three days set aside for field trips to area aquaculture sites for laboratory and field work. In Spring 2006, a complete on-line lecture course was created in Aquaculture but the course has not made due to enrollment being solely in the 5-credit hour hybrid course. The Spring 2006 section of the hybrid course was also improved as it incorporated high school students from the teacher's schools that enrolled in the Fall 2005 aquaculture course. The Spring 2006 course enrolled 10 students from three district high schools and Rend Lake College. Since the start of the Spring 2006 semester two indoor recirculating systems have been completed in addition to one already in place on the campus of Rend Lake College. One system is in the process of being completed and will have an operational date around Thanksgiving 2006. One more recirculating system will begin after that time period and will be completed by the intersession between Fall 2006 and Spring 2007. The Fall 2006 hybrid course enrollment includes three high schools and Rend Lake College with a total numbers at eight students. The summer aquaculture camp was converted into a workshop/showcase for current students including a walk-through and lecture of aquaculture at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Although this workshop did not meet the PI's expectations for the grant due to low reservations for a four-day camp, the benefit was exceptional for those in attendance. The overall progress report is that SITA is a success and the remainder of the project period will focus on finishing all recirculating systems in participating high schools, complete a 1-day workshop showcasing participating high school student's projects involving in-house recirculating systems, and improving enrollment for Spring 2007 and future sections of Introduction to Aquaculture. PRODUCTS: The products of this project are both virtual and physical. One product includes the creation of an on-line introductory aquaculture course offered to students of Rend Lake College(RLC) and dual-enrollment within RLC's district. This project will also supply a workshop/showcase on an annual basis for all present and future students including the work or research done in their school's reciculating system. Physical products include the completion or nearing completion of four indoor recirculating demonstration systems at Rend Lake College and at participating in-district high schools. Other products include construction of cages to be used for cage-culture in ponds on campus as demonstration field sites. OUTCOMES: The outcomes of this project have not been met in that we have seen less than a 10% increase in enrollment between Spring 2006 and Fall 2007. We are taking necessary steps to improve enrollment for the Spring 2007 semester. Rend Lake College has just recently completed construction of three 0.25 acre aquaculture ponds for demonstration and we are also in the process of completing cage culture for use in Spring 2007. We are still in the waiting process for articulation with 4-year universities such as Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. This is not an unusual waiting period for articulation and the PI hopes to report new findings for the termination report. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The activities will be reported with the termination report. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The initiatives will be reported with the termination report.

Impacts
The impacts will be reported with the termination report.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period