Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Approves Grant for New Mobile Science Activity Center

Today the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $71,384 toward the cost of a new Mobile Science Activity Center (MSAC) and curriculum enhancements during its March board meeting. The MSAC program is provided to schools across the Commonwealth through a partnership between the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (KyAEC) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). 

In 2013, KyAEC and its member organizations provided more than $250,000 to replace two aging MSAC units operated by KDA. As the current units continue to keep full schedules, KyAEC and KDA agreed to work toward purchasing a third center that is better suited to serve eastern Kentucky schools; the trailer will be shorter to more easily maneuver mountain roads. 

"We are very thankful for the Agricultural Development Board's support of this project," said Jennifer Elwell, KyAEC executive director. "The Mobile Science Activity Centers are educating about 25,000 students each year with hands-on, agriculture and science-based activities, and a new unit will allow us to reach an additional 10,000 students annually."

KyAEC and KDA will work to have the new MSAC ready for use by late summer for the 2015-2016 school year. The money provided by the Agricultural Development Board is half the total cost of a trailer, interactive technology, initial supplies, and enhancements to the curriculum, which include custom videos and leave-behind materials. 

"We would also like to thank our members for their past and current contributions for this project," said Elwell. "The Kentucky Pork Producers Association provided the seed money to buy the very first trailer 20 years ago, and we have been working with KDA to expand and improve the program since that time."

Additional MSAC supporters include the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Beef Council, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, Kentucky Poultry Federation, Farm Credit Mid-America, Agri-Business Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, and Kentucky Equine Education Project.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture provides three full-time staff to administer the program, as well as transportation and lodging. KDA has agreed to hire an additional facilitator for the new eastern Kentucky unit. For more information on the Mobile Science Activity Centers, visit http://www.teachkyag.org/mobile-science-activity-centers.html. 

###

The Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, Inc. works to grow agricultural literacy in the Bluegrass by promoting a partnership between Kentucky's agricultural, environmental, and educator groups and developing resources and programs that integrate accurate agricultural-concepts into curriculum.