Discovery-based Undergrad Opportunities: Facilitating Farmer to Farmer Teaching/Learning
PI(s): Mullins, Donald E, Fell, Richard D
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Abstract: Faculty in the Department of Entomology offered an Undergraduate Special Studies course designed to introduce students to issues associated with international agricultural research. It provided them with an opportunity to observe agricultural research practices by participating in some research activities and allowed them to learn about Malian culture as well. It was offered as a two semester course totaling 4 credits and featured a two-week trip to Mali, West Africa during the winter break.
Description: Discovery-based Undergrad Opportunities: Facilitating Farmer to Farmer Teaching/Learning was a collaborative project between several universities led by Montana State University. It was designed to introduce undergraduate students to international agriculture by providing them with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the agricultural research practices and culture in Mali, West Africa. Student participants were recruited from undergraduate courses in the life sciences at Virginia Tech and faculty and staff associated with ongoing IPM/CRSP projects in Mali and other international programs served as instructors and advisors in the course. The work plan included development of a synergistic relationship between collaborators and undergraduate students focused on learning about agriculture and agricultural research in Mali with student involvement and participation in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and the touring some of Mali's agricultural and cultural areas. Students and advisors traveled to Mali during the winter semester break for a 2 week period to observe Malian agricultural practices, and conduct field work in accordance with their proposed research. Students completed their respective research projects and shared their experiences with other students enrolled in various life science courses at Virginia Tech. This exchange of information and experience by students who have participated in the course was designed to increase general student awareness of international agriculture and the opportunities that exist for international involvement. Four students participated in 2005-2006 and 4 students participated in 2006-2007 Student projects for the 2005-2006 Academic Year: Fingland, N. K., D. E. Mullins, and R. D. Fell. 2006. Azadirachtin Extraction is Increased over Traditional Malian Village Processes Through Fermentation. Moore. L., D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2006. Analysis of Azadirachtin-A Levels in Aqueous Extracts of Neem Using High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) Smith, A. A., X. Adelman, D. E. Mullins, and R. D. Fell. 2006. Study on the Prevalence and Vector Specificity of the O’nyong-yong Virus in Mali, West Africa Walker, R. D., D. E. Mullins , R.D. Fell and J. H. Westwood. 2006. The Use of Bio-based Surfactants to Enhance the Efficacy of Potash as a Contact Herbicide Student projects for the 2006-2007 Academic Year: Faulkner, E., R. D. Fell and D. E. Mullins. 2007. Alpha-tocopherol Content in Shea Butter George, C. M., Z. Adelman, D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2007. West Nile Virus Infection Status of Culex Mosquitoes in Mali, West Africa during January, 2007. Hall, R. E., D. E. Mullins, R. D. Fell and J. H. Westwood. 2007. The Efficacy of Potash Including Bio-Based Surfactants as a Contact Herbicide in Malian Agriculture Walker, S., D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2007. Comparison of Azadirachtin Recovery from Neem Leaf Extractions Using Distilled Water, Peanut Oil and Methanol
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