The Origins of the AgTech Corn Camp
The AgTech Corn Camp initiative was born from a shared vision to connect urban and rural youth through STEM education focused on agriculture. Educators from the JJK Foundation, the University of Illinois Extension, and the Danforth Center.
The camp’s overarching goal was to generate interest in agriculture and technology careers. Students were introduced to the concept of urban farming as a potential solution to urban food deserts and food access issues, particularly in areas like East St. Louis, Illinois, and how plant science can help farmers adapt to climate change.
Hands-On Learning and Community Engagement
The educational approach was rooted in the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework, which encourages students to draw on their personal and community experiences to deepen their learning. Curriculum covered plant biology and climate, incorporating agricultural technologies like drones and PheNode, an environmental monitoring device developed by Agrela Ecosystems, a startup founded by Danforth Center Assistant Member Nadia Shakoor, PhD. Field trips to diverse agricultural enterprises enriched the experience, and students had the opportunity to earn drone certification, adding a technical skill to their toolkits.
Participants worked in teams to conduct comparative studies on genetically modified (GM) and non-GM corn, testing hypotheses related to plant height, pest resistance, and the impact of the changing climate on corn productivity. They gathered data from urban raised-bed gardens and rural corn field plots and engaged in community-based research.
The youth didn’t just learn from instructors—they learned from each other. Team-based challenges and field trips to rural and urban locations allowed them to alternate leadership roles, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding between different communities.
A Transformative Experience
By the end of the three-week camp, students presented their research findings on climate change, GM corn, and pest control to experienced scientists at the Danforth Center.
Pictured above: The three-week Corn Camp program culminated with a poster presentation of students’ findings at the Danforth Center, where scientists engaged with them as they presented their final poster projects for AgTech Corn Camp.
"It was inspiring to witness the growth of these young minds," said lead instructor Zachary Stafford, Urban STEAM and Agriculture Educator at the Danforth Center. “Many youth participants entered the program with little knowledge of corn or scientific research, but through hard work and dedication, they gained confidence and produced impressive poster presentations showcasing their data.”
With the new knowledge and skills gained at camp, these youth are now better equipped to become future leaders in agriculture.
“The AgTech Corn Camp demonstrated the power of collaboration between public and private institutions to advance youth learning and how impactful hands-on learning can be when community and science come together," said Stafford.
Key Collaborators and Leadership
Supported by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and led by the Danforth Center in collaboration with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee (JJK) Foundation and the University of Illinois Extension at Baebler Educational Farm. The success of the AgTech Corn Camp was made possible through the efforts of numerous individuals and organizations, including:
- Kristine Callis-Duehl, PhD; Zachary Stafford; Kurly Taylor, MPA; Ruth Kaggwa, PhD; Lisa Walsh, PhD; Ash Kass; and Sarah Dodoo of the Danforth Center Education Research and Outreach Laboratory
- Grace Margherio, 4-H Educator
- Tiffany Brown, JJK Foundation STEM Educator
- Nathan Johanning and Kelly Brandt, University of Illinois Extension
A special thanks to the many volunteers and STEM professionals who contributed to the camp’s success.