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USDA-ARS employees are strongly encouraged to participate in STEM outreach opportunities aimed at increasing literacy in science, technology, engineering and math for students of all ages, especially among members of underrepresented populations. ARS's Outreach and Recruitment Branch coordinates a number of these outreach activities with neighboring schools and communities.
Recent Events
The ARS Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research Unit in Stoneville, MS recently set up a new apiary!
ARS Soil Management and Sugar Beet Research Unit staff participated in Expedition Colorado, an annual field trip to teach students about natural resources and conservation practices.
Students from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences visited ARS's National Animal Disease Center
Students from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences visited ARS's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. ARS scientist Mark Ackermann provided students with hands-on labs that covered reading x-rays, spinning blood samples, and examining the internal anatomy of pigs. The visit was part of ARS's Three Sisters Project an educational outreach effort to ensure a steady pipeline of fresh ideas, talent and diversity to the ranks of tomorrow's scientists, and other professionals.
According to NASA, belches from cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminant animals have a climate change problem. Ruminants have digestive systems that ferment the cellulose in the rough vegetation they eat, making it easier to digest. The problem is methane gas is a byproduct of fermentation and the animals release it when they belch.
According to the EPA, methane accounts for about 10% of U.S. greenhouse emissions – and enteric (intestinal) fermentation accounts for about 27% of that.
ARS scientists are turning to bromoform, a compound in seaweed, that may reduce enteric methane emission by as much as 82% when fed to ruminants as a small portion of their diet. Expanding this nutritional supplement nationwide, and perhaps globally, could markedly reduce methane emissions, and that’s something worth boasting, not belching, about.
To learn more read "Happy Earth Day! Scientists Working to Reduce Methane Emissions"
Next time you go to McDonald's, there's a good chance you'll be eating an ARS-developed French fry. ARS scientists released two varieties of potatoes—'Clearwater Russet' and 'Blazer Russet'—used by McDonald's for French fries. The company has a high bar for its potatoes, having accepted only seven varieties to use in its fries over the years.
Potatoes are highly perishable, and the crop must be consumed, processed, or stored cold immediately after harvest. However, ARS potato breeders were able to release new potato varieties resistant to problems that develop during storage and to internal heat necrosis.
Sink your teeth into this research with "You Want Fries With That?"
Composting, a process that speeds up natural decomposition, is becoming ever increasingly popular, both on the farms and at home. Composting provides a great way to keep food scraps and yard waste out of landfills and it has a variety of benefits when added to soil to help plants grow.
Download this factsheet to learn how to compost and why.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a hot-button issue when it comes to food safety. According to the World Health Organization, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to modern medicines, including antibiotics – which are designed to fight bacterial infections. AMR can make infections in humans and animals that are harder to treat and increase the risk of disease and illness. In agriculture, antibiotics may be given to cattle and other livestock to fight infections and keep the animals healthy. However, there are concerns that the use of antibiotics in agricultural settings may lead to AMR that affects people. ARS scientists researched whether raising beef cattle without antibiotics would reduce AMR levels, compared to health practices using antibiotics. The results may surprise you.
Check out Science Shows Less Can Equal More and watch the video to find out what they learned.
Do you like snacks? Who doesn’t!? Problem is, most snacks aren’t healthy for your body. Enter popcorn, a popular snack and can also be a healthy one as long as it’s prepared without adding lots of butter or salty toppings.
You probably know that whole grains are part of healthy diets. Healthy diets that include whole grains may lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of developing obesity, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. Did you know that popcorn is a 100 percent whole grain? And that one serving of popcorn provides about one-third of the whole grains most American adolescents and adults need?
For a whole grain snack on the go, there are many options for healthy prepackaged popcorn at the supermarket or convenience store, too. Glance at the ingredients list and nutrition facts to make sure the amounts of sodium and saturated fat are low.
Popcorn can be a healthy, whole grain choice for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. For more healthy snacking tips and ideas, check out MyPlate.gov.
It's that magic time of year when the first signs of spring begin to appear everywhere—the weather starts getting warmer, robins return to build their nests, and cherry trees begin to blossom. But to some, the true harbinger of spring is the opening day of baseball season.
White ash has been a go-to wood for making Major League Baseball bats for many years because of its light weight and resistance to splintering. But alas this sturdy wood has come under attack by a little half-inch, metallic green beetle known as the “Emerald Ash borer”.
The adult beetles lay eggs in the crevices of ash tree bark in late May to mid-June and the hatching larvae bore under the bark, where their feeding cuts off the transportation of water and nutrients which the tree needs to survive.
This invasive pest was first detected near Detroit, MI, in 2002 and is found today in 33 states and two Canadian provinces. Learn how ARS scientists are working hard to fight this pest and protect our beloved ash trees.
Scientific Name: Halticoptera circulus (Walker), Chrysocharis oscinidis Ashmead
Common Name: Chalcidoid wasp
Friend or Pest (or both): Friend
Region and Diet? These parasitic wasps are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are known to infest and kill leaf- and stem mining flies. The wasps lay eggs inside the developing fly larva and consume them from the inside.
Impact on agriculture? Scientists are researching whether the Chalcicoid wasp can be used to biologically control Allium leafminer, Phytomyza gymnostoma (Diptera: Agromyzidae), an invasive species first detected in the Western Hemisphere in Pennsylvania in December 2015 and has now spread into northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. It consumes food crops including onions, leeks, garlic, chives, etc., with its feeding damaging leaves and bulbs. Read more on the lab's website.
Do you know what food groups are part of a healthy plate? Vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy foods are all important. They provide vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that keep the body healthy. MyPlate can help you remember to include these foods. It can be used for kids and adults of all ages!
Practice using MyPlate in your daily routine, and soon it will become a habit as simple as brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Get out crayons or coloring pencils and a piece of paper and follow the steps below to draw a colorful MyPlate-inspired meal!
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Step 1: Ask an adult to print the MyPlate Coloring Sheet or get a blank piece of paper for you to create your plate. If making your own plate, draw a circle by hand, or ask an adult to bring you a plate to trace. |
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| Step 2: Choose one type of protein food, such as grilled chicken or black beans. Draw it on the bottom right section of your plate. |  |
| Step 3: Pick one type of vegetable, such as roasted carrots or stir-fried broccoli. Draw it on the bottom left section of your plate. |  |
| Step 4: Think about one type of fruit that you like, such as blueberries or sliced apples. Draw it on the top left section of your plate. |  |
| Step 5: Pick one type of grain, such as sliced bread, brown rice, or noodles. Draw it on the top right section of your plate. |  |
| Step 6: What is the last food group to add? If you guessed dairy, you are correct! Make a small circle next to your plate, and draw a dairy food or dairy alternative, such as yogurt, milk, or fortified soy milk, to include in your meal. |  |
| Step 7: Congratulations on building your MyPlate meal! Ask an adult to display it on your fridge as a reminder to choose healthy foods whenever you are in the kitchen. |  |
Parents, caregivers, and teachers: explore more resources to help kids eat well! Use the MyPlate Plan to find what amount to get from each food group based on age, sex, and activity level. In general, MyPlate recommends these daily amounts for kids ages 5 to 8:
Photos courtesy of MyPlate.gov, Adobe Stock and USDA Flickr
