News Release
July 15, 2016
Missouri high school students gather at University of Missouri to learn about life science, agriculture careers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – This year, for the first time, the Missouri Department of Agriculture has partnered with the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources to offer Life Sciences Quest. The Life Sciences Quest summer academy, July 17-23, 2016, teaches urban and suburban high school students about agriculture, biotechnology and life sciences.
“Life Sciences Quest delivers a valuable opportunity to students who may not have a great familiarity with agriculture,” Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce said. “By offering this program to our high school students in Missouri, we can hopefully inspire a new career path and an increased passion for agriculture.”
The academy is a mind-enriching weeklong residential program for high school students. Students will be introduced to an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to scientific discovery in agriculture and life sciences with faculty mentors and will meet business and industry leaders in the life sciences sector. This experience will introduce and emphasize the potential career opportunities available in research, law, medicine, agriculture and veterinary medicine.
During the week, students will participate in team challenges, hands-on experiments and interactive projects. From learning the art of landscape design to extracting DNA, the curriculum is both educational and interesting. Students will spend time in the classroom as well as tour nearby farms, labs and agribusinesses. At the end of the program, students will attend a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol.
Additional information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture can be found at Agriculture.MO.Gov.
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