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<p>Emerging technologies such as sensor networks, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming agriculture into a data-driven, highly automated domain, yet these innovations remain underrepresented in secondary STEM education. To address this gap, we designed and implemented a two-week Smart Agriculture Summer Camp for middle and high school students, guided by experiential and collaborative learning frameworks. The camp’s design incorporated a spiral learning structure across four modules, indoor/outdoor farming, IoT-enabled sensing, data processing and visualization, and machine learning/artificial intelligence. Advisory board feedback led to iterative refinements, including icebreakers, gamified learning, and virtual reality experiences. Pre- and post-surveys provided preliminary descriptive evidence of changes in students’ understanding, confidence, and interest, while low-stakes quizzes, cumulative open-ended assignments, reflections, and observations were embedded primarily as learning, reflection, and instructional feedback tools to support the camp’s iterative design. Preliminary results demonstrated that authentic, technology-rich activities fostered engagement, collaboration, and confidence, while highlighting logistical challenges such as equipment access, technical support, and variability in student prior knowledge. This design case contributes to the growing body of research on integrating smart agriculture into STEM education and provides practical guidance for educators seeking to develop interdisciplinary, technology-enhanced learning experiences.</p>

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Experiential and Collaborative Learning to Engage Youth in STEM and Agriculture: A Design Case Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月30日

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  • Sara Masoud,
  • Meina Zhu,
  • Elnaz Alinezhad,
  • Alyssa Beavers,
  • Jeremy Rickli

摘要

Emerging technologies such as sensor networks, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming agriculture into a data-driven, highly automated domain, yet these innovations remain underrepresented in secondary STEM education. To address this gap, we designed and implemented a two-week Smart Agriculture Summer Camp for middle and high school students, guided by experiential and collaborative learning frameworks. The camp’s design incorporated a spiral learning structure across four modules, indoor/outdoor farming, IoT-enabled sensing, data processing and visualization, and machine learning/artificial intelligence. Advisory board feedback led to iterative refinements, including icebreakers, gamified learning, and virtual reality experiences. Pre- and post-surveys provided preliminary descriptive evidence of changes in students’ understanding, confidence, and interest, while low-stakes quizzes, cumulative open-ended assignments, reflections, and observations were embedded primarily as learning, reflection, and instructional feedback tools to support the camp’s iterative design. Preliminary results demonstrated that authentic, technology-rich activities fostered engagement, collaboration, and confidence, while highlighting logistical challenges such as equipment access, technical support, and variability in student prior knowledge. This design case contributes to the growing body of research on integrating smart agriculture into STEM education and provides practical guidance for educators seeking to develop interdisciplinary, technology-enhanced learning experiences.