Science Education

Michigan 4-H Children's Garden at MSU

Horticulture Teaching and Research Center

Established in 1966, the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC) encompasses 180 acres on the south campus of Michigan State University in Holt, Michigan. The center meets the needs of field labs for outdoor classrooms as well as basic research. The focus of research projects at the HTRC centers on vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Today it is the primary facility for landscape and nursery research/extension programming on campus. It is also the regional center for IR-4 field research of minor use herbicides' registration. Housed on the grounds of the center is MSU's wine facility, which is involved in enology research projects throughout the state. HTRC is also home to MSU's Student Organic Farm, which values and puts to practice alternatives to chemical use while growing and maintaining crops.

Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology.

The Horticulture Teaching and Research Center

I am very interested in science education and learning and how hands-on, experiential learning can be enhanced and expanded through technology. To examine this, my program is continually involved in projects that develop and integrate computer applications into the hands-on learning that occurs in the 4-H Children's Garden. Studies typically involve curricula development, including specific technology integration, delivering discovery experiences and evaluating effects on attitudes and learning.Very recently I have started to look at how we can use the ideas, concepts, tools and power of Web 2 to even further enhance and expand learning opportunities. Current projects include:

Seeds of Science

We are developing and evaluating multi-day 4-H Garden field trip experiences and evaluating effects on students attitudes toward science and changes in their specific content knowledge through concept mapping.

On-line Wonder Wall

Wonder Walls connect learners, teachers, off-site experts and students in real time and asynchronously to persistent, playful, moderated, spatial communication environments designed for collaborative learning. We are currently examining how various ages and groups use Wonder Walls, the types of questions that are asked and how Wonder Walls affect learning and interactions with scientists.

Personal Science Assistant

We are studying effects on student learning and retention when the PSA is incorporated into their learning experiences.

REAACT - (Reaching Environmental Awareness and Action in Communities Together) - This project is looking at the challenges and opportunities of working with communities of difference around environmental issues. It also involves integration of technology and is looking at changes in environmental attitudes

Northern Michigan Applied Plant Science Program

The Applied Plant Science program includes course work taught by faculty members from one of our partners, Northwestern Michigan College, West Shore Community College, Kirtland Community College, North Central Michigan College and Michigan State University. The degree and certificate programs contain specialty and general education course requirements which may vary some depending on area of study and community college associate degree requirements. The Northern Michigan Applied Plant Science program offers this same type of specialized curriculum as the campus programs. It differs from the on-campus programs in some significant ways. First, it combines MSU courses, with community college courses. Student may simultaneously earn both an MSU Certificate and a community college Associate degree. Second, it brings MSU courses to you without the need move to East Lansing.

I am interested in using nematodes' abundance and soil ecosystem change-indicator traits to educate the next generation, starting at K-12 level, on how soil health may be managed.

Dr. Schutzki is responsible for teaching and research in the area of Landscape Horticulture. Specific responsibilities include:

• Coordinating a 16-month certificate program for the landscape and nursery professions offered through the Institute of Agricultural Technology. The program consists of three 15-week semesters and an internship experience, for a total of 48 credits.

• Advising and instruction in the Bachelor of Science Landscape Design, Construction and Management curriculum in Horticulture. Courses taught include Landscape Design and Management Specification, Advanced Landscape Design and professional seminars.

• Coordinating development of the Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum. This 6-acre facility is designed as an instructional arboretum for students in Landscape Horticulture. Students are actively involved in design, construction and management of the landscape displays.

Research interests focus on the characterization of adaptive traits (drought tolerance, cold hardiness) of plants to investigate their physiological responses to cultural (production and planting technique) and environmental (light, soil and temperature) manipulation and to monitor their physiological status during reestablishment in the landscape.

Dr. Schutzki is actively involved in the educational outreach program. Presentations have included: Plant Biology for Horticulture Industries; Plant Selection Process; Landscape Design and Construction; Ornamental Plant Management. He conducts workshops for the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association and the Metropolitan Detroit Landscape Association.

Growing Public Understanding of Plant Breeding and Genetics. This project is directed by Dr. Norm Lownds and Steve van Nocker. The objective is to create permanent living plant exhibits that illustrate and explain concepts of plant genetics, domestication, and breeding. The exhibits will be based in the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens, and enhanced through interactive online resources. The project will connect the general public to plant genetics in new and exciting ways both when they visit the gardens and when they return home. It will also serve as a model for presenting genetics information, promoting public involvement and learning, and creating partnerships with gardens. Funded by the

American Society of Plant Biologists and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Plant Genome Research Program

Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC)

Coordinator of the 350-acre Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center
Statewide Extension responsibility for viticulture
Grape, blueberry, apple, vegetable research