APS Innovative Teaching Award Winners

2023-2024 Winners

Inter-Institutional Awards

• An Innovative Teaching Method for Therapeutic Landscape Design
  Bo Zhang, Oklahoma State University and Yiwei Huang, Purdue University
• Cultivating Impactful Teaching: An Innovative Agricultural Economics Teaching Academy
  Hannah Shear, Oklahoma State University, Jason Bergtold, Kansas State University, and Na Zuo, University of Arizona
• Incorporating “Food Waste as Fertilizer” Module into Instruction of Controlled-Environment Horticulture
  Kimberly Williams, Kansas State University and Yujin Park, Arizona State University

Single Institution Awards

• Innovative Instructional Design through Problem-based Learning to Teach Statistics across Agricultural Disciplines
  Zhihong Xu, Texas A&M University

2022-2023 Winners

Inter-institutional Awards

• Reviving the Waksman Platform: Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience in Antimicrobial Resistance
  Daniel Czyz, University of Florida and Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith, National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education, Iowa State University

Single Institution Awards

• Student Development of Cultural Competemility through Virtual Simulations
  Jeanette Andrade and Benjamin Lok, University of Florida
• Teaching the Teachers: Exploring the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Experience
  Brianna Wardwell and Elizabeth Karcher, Purdue University

2021-2022 Winners

Inter-institutional Awards

• Developing Cultural Competency by Embedding Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in an Animal Science Course
  Sushil Paudyal and Matthew Taylor, Texas A&M University, and Krishna Kaphle, Tribhuvan University
• A Foundational DEI Curriculum for Exploration of the Environmental Conservation Field
  Nia Morales, University of Florida, Erica Zavaleta and Abraham Borker, University of California Santa Cruz

Single Institution Awards

• Got Virtual Milk? Learning About Dairy Cow Management Through Immersive Learning Technology
  Adrian Barragan, Justin Brown, and Jaime Garcia, Pennsylvania State University

2020-2021 Winners

Inter-institutional Awards

• EVOLVE: Evaluation of Virtual Online Learning through Varied Experiences
  Tiffany Rogers-Randolph, Kansas State University and Shannon Norris, New Mexico State University
• Investigating the Impact of Open Annotated Bibliographies on Student Perception of Information Source Credibility
  Colby Moorberg, Kansas State University, Eric Brevik, Dickinson State University, Tiffany Carter, Austin Peay State University, Garrett Liles, California State University Chico, Iryna McDonald, Fort Hays State University
• Innovating Virtual Connections in Educational Training Courses Using Experiential Learning and Human Centered Design
  Amy Leman, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and Rebecca Mott, University of Missouri
• Exploring a Digital Mind Space: Using Apple Technology to Foster Students’ Creative Processes
  Ryan Hargrove, University of Kentucky and Richard Alomar, Rutgers University
• Developing Immersive Horticulture Industry Experiences Using Virtual Reality Applications
  Joshua Craver, Colorado State University and Chad Miller, Kansas State University
• ICE: Interinstitutional Capstone Experiences in Environmental Sciences
  Michael Mashtare, The Pennsylvania State University and Laura Bowling, Purdue University
• Gain in Research Ability Test (GRAT) for a Twofold Backward Design of Lab Courses
  Zhiyong Cheng, University of Florida and Omolola Betiku, Florida A&M University

Single Institution Awards

• Designing Equitable Immersive Experiences for Teaching
  Andrea Stevenson Won, Cornell University
• Facilitating Micropropagation Teaching by Using Augmented and Virtual Reality
  Wagner Vendrame, University of Florida
• Effectiveness of Group Work Between Students in Landscape Contracting Programs Across the US: Using Immersive Learning Technologies to Increase Students’ Awareness of Regional Issues and Student Creativity
  Margaret Hoffman, Pennsylvania State University
• Shaping Knowledge: 3D Modeling to Foster Learning of Complex Subjects
  Kevin Begcy and Bart Schutzman, University of Florida

2019-2020 Winners

Inter-institutional Awards

• Innovating Clinical Nutrition Instruction for the Pacific
  M. Esquivel, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and T. Aflague, University of Guam
• Using Experiential Learning to Help Undergraduates Understand the Science of Science Communication
  Q. Settle, Oklahoma State University and H. Seitz, Mississippi State University

Single Institution Awards

• Community-Engaged Learning with Pennsylvania Farmworkers
  Kathleen Sexsmith and M. Miller Foster, Pennsylvania State University
• Improving Undergraduate Education with Microbiome-based CURES at Scale
  J. Drew and E. Triplett, University of Florida
• Incorporating Engineering into Agricultural Engineering Education
  G. W. Bates and A. DeLay, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

2018-2019 Winners

• Deciphering Food Laws and Regulations: An Interactive Course Module Approach to Enhance Student Learning and Understanding
  F. H. Hollis, The University of Tennessee, and C. Rock, California State University, Long Beach
• Developing and Diffusing a Cross-Disciplinary, Multi-Institutional University Entrepreneurial Leadership Graduate Course
  M. M. Mars, The University of Arizona, and J. Hart, University of Missouri-Columbia
• Increased Minority Success and Representation in Forensic Science through Collaborative Teaching Efforts
  T. Stamper, Purdue University, and K. Hans, Delaware State University
• Integrative Use of an Incubator Farm Class Project to Enhance Student Engagement in Learning Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems
  X. Zhao and D. Farnsworth, University of Florida, and J. Ricotta, Delaware Valley University
• Using YouTube Videos to Teach Techniques in Plant Propagation
  M. Bridge, Cornell University, and N. Menchyk, Farmingdale State College

2017-2018 Winners

• Ag Mashup: Blending Agricultural and Communications Students and Faculty in the Classroom to Increase Agricultural Communication and Literacy
  J. de Koff, Tennessee State University, and Nicole Kraft, The Ohio State University
• Collaborative Teaching Project for Improving Students’ Professional Skills While Learning about the Effects of Cover Crops in Suppressing Weeds in Ohio and Nebraska
  D. Namuth-Covert, J. Witter, and R. Haden, The Ohio State University–Agricultural Technical Institute, M. Huang, The Ohio State University, R. Noonan, Agriculture Instructor, Northeast Community College
• Educational Workshop for Improving Student Success While Attending a Professional Conference
  E. Flaherty, P. Zollner, and V. Quinn, Purdue University, D. Wood, West Virginia University, R. Urbanek, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
• Engaging Undergraduates in Citizen Science with Pollinators to Enhance Conservation Knowledge, Biological Systems Thinking, and Community Engagement
  D. Golick, , W. Hoback, Oklahoma State University, H. Doebel, George Washington University
• Field-based Innovative Teaching of Upland and Gully Erosion Processes in the Highlands of Ethiopia
  T. Steenhuis, Cornell University, and M. Moges and S. Tilahun, Bahir Dar University
• Innovative Educational Experience Enhancements for Students in Introduction to Agricultural Economics
  R. Jones, C. DeVuyst, J. Schatzer, and B. Norwood, Oklahoma State University and J. Bergtold, B. Schwab, and A. Barkley, Kansas State University
• Rural families in Real-Life: Case Study Lessons from Interviews with Low-Income Rural Mothers
  L. Yancura, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Y. Sano, Washington State University Vancouver, L. Ontai, University of California, M. Barnett, University of Arizona, K. Davis, Oregon State University, and B. Oliver, Mississippi State University
• Teaching Environmental Physics to Students in Natural Resource Sciences Using a Flipped Course and Peer Instruction Framework
  S. Riha, Cornell University and N. Breanne Hill, Greenfield Community College
• The Virtual Grass is Greener: A Video Game-Assisted Approach to Enhancing Farm and Ranch Management Courses
  K. Lange, Texas Tech University, R. Tewari, University of Tennessee at Martin, and J. Mehlhorn, University of Tennessee at Martin
• Use of Interactive Simulation Models to Promote and Enhance Student Engagement in a Food Science Class
  R. Ramanathan, Oklahoma State University and N. Hettiarachchy, University of Arkansas
• Using Virtual Reality Modules to Increase Student Engagement and Learning in a Food Quality Management Course
  C. Stevenson, North Carolina State University, H. Joyner, University of Idaho, and S. Schmidt, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2016-2017 Winners

• Development of a Novel Program to Expose Undergraduate Students to Key Issues in Animal Management
  E. Karcher, K. Stewart, and R. Lemenager, Purdue University and D. Buskirk, Michigan State University
• Field-Based Investigation (FBI): Integrating Art with Science to Improve Creative Problem Solving and Communication Skills for Promoting Sustainable Fisheries
  S. Jacobson, University of Florida, and J. Seavey, University of New Hampshire
• Incorporating Diversity Narratives into Undergraduate Courses
  J. Jones and S. Smith, University of Florida and L. McDougle, Rutgers University – Newark
• Many Minds, One University: System-wide Collaboration to Address Essential Sustainability Issues
  B. Turano, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, and Krista Hiser, Kapiolani Community College
• The Blue and Orange Partnership – A Vision for Connecting the Two Top Ranked Land Grant University in the Eastern United States through the Teaching of Plant Science
  D. Decoteau, The Pennsylvania State University, and D. Clark and C. Gomez, University of Florida

2015-2016 Winners

• Ecology for Land Managers and Designers
  J. M., Hartman, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, D. Bart, University of Wisconsin, and J. Momsen, North Dakota State University
• Establishing Critical Friendships and Teaching Efficacy through an Essays for Education Reading Program
  C. Shoulders, University of Arkansas, and T. Park, North Carolina State University
• Fermentation Revival in the Classroom: Ancient Human Practices as Modern Health Fads
  M. Oli, University of Florida, and J. Lyles, Francis Marion University
• Romania: Culture-Centered Communication and Engagement
  A. Borron, J. Holt, and T. Vlad, University of Georgia, and J. Loizzo, University of Nebraska
• Team-Based Learning (TBL) – A Standard for Optimal Development of the “Flipped Classroom”
  F. Mills, Jr., S. Nair, and A. Wolfskill, Sam Houston State University, and H. Bender, A. McCubbins, Iowa State University

2014-2015 Winners

• Applied Interdisciplinary Product Development for Sophomore Students
  M. Condrasky, B. Halteman, A. Weeks, D. Darby, J. Sharp and A. Coffee, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Fanbin Kong, University of Georgia
• Development of an In-depth, Multi-week Course Experience Focused on Physiological Aspects of Flowering and Fruiting Crops in High Tunnels
  K. Williams, Kansas State University and B. Dunn of Oklahoma State University
• Global Learning in Agriculture: A Multilevel Collaboration for Internationalization of Curriculum
  Daniel D. Foster and Melanie Miller Foster, The Pennsylvania State University, Kirby Barrick and Andrew Thoron, University of Florida
• The Impact of a Multi-institution Case Study Course on Entomology Students’ Argumentation Skills Related to Integrated Pest Management Decisions
  Catherine W. Shoulders and Robert N. Wiedenmann, University of Arkansas, John Obrycki, University of Kentucky
• Implementing Inquiry-Driven Assessments of Microbial Diversity in Undergraduate Laboratory Courses
  T. Bergholz and J. Haggart, North Dakota State University, S. Petermann and E. Lutgen, Minnesota State Community and Technical College
• Integrating Containerized Native Perennial Plants into Greenhouse Crop Production Curricula: What Does it Mean and Why Does it Matter?
  Christopher J. Currey and Ann Marie VanDerZanden Iowa State University, Chad T. Miller, Kansas State University
• Reducing Health Disparities Amongst Minority Populations Through Use of Health and Nutrition Education
  S. Ahuja, Lincoln University and P. Shankar, Georgia Southern University
• Using Case Study Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) to Facilitate Critical Thinking in Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
  T. Grady Roberts, Nicole L.P. Stedman, Amy Harder, Becky Raulerson and Bertrhude Albert, University of Florida, and R. Strong and J. Lindner, Texas A&M University
• Using YouTube to Foster Asynchronous Interaction in an Online Introductory Nutrition Course
  M.K. Fialkowski, W.J. Gibson, J.C. Banna, M. Stewart, G. Lin and R. Novotny, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and R. Leon Guerrero, University of Guam