Madison, WI, July 20-23, 2026
Science through the lens of agriculture!
On The Farm STEM® is an expenses-paid professional development and immersive learning program for science educators. This experience will showcase food, agriculture, beef production, and the scientific research that underpins these systems. Educators will gain meaningful context for teaching science that will inspire today's students, our next generation of scientists and citizens.
Participants will investigate real agricultural phenomena, learn directly from producers and scientists, and engage in facilitated sensemaking that links these experiences to classroom instruction. They will see how agricultural contexts, supported by the Center's high-quality instructional resources, can make science learning more relevant, meaningful, and authentic for diverse learners.
( Approved expenses include flight, mileage, rental car, public transportation, food en-route. Alcoholic beverages will not be reimbursed. Additional details will be provided to selected applicants.)
Applications Close February 13th.
The 2026 cohort of 30 participants will be notified of their selection in March.
Program Length: The immersive professional development experience begins in May 2026 and concludes in August 2026.
Key Dates & Locations:
Science Educators
This experience is for middle and high school science teachers, including those who teach chemistry, biology, physics, and environmental science. Educator applicants should seek to strengthen three-dimensional instruction, integrate relevant food and agricultural contexts, and make use of high-quality resources that support meaningful classroom learning.
STEM and Science Education Leaders
This experience is also intended for STEM coaches, district science leaders, instructional leaders, curriculum supervisors, and university-based coordinators or coaches who support science teaching and learning across schools and systems.
New to The Farm?
These events are designed with you in mind! Previous knowledge and experience of agriculture is not required! Come explore and engage in purposeful dialogue to discover real-world applications of education concepts on the farm, food productions, and research labs.
Informal Science Educators
If you work at a museum, outdoor learning center, or other educational effort outside the classroom, and are working to incorporate NGSS, this may be a great fit!
Brian is the Science Education Practice Lead at Vivayic, where he designs immersive professional learning and high-quality instructional materials grounded in the Next Generation Science Standards. With more than twenty years of experience across K-12, informal education, and state-level leadership as an educational consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Brian specializes in human-centered design, sensemaking, and creating relevant learning experiences that connect science to students' lives and identities. He has led national projects in partnership with universities, industry, and nonprofit organizations, helping educators use food and agriculture as powerful contexts for three-dimensional science learning. Raised in the Midwest and endlessly curious about the world, Brian brings an energetic, future-focused approach to his facilitation and is known for creating learning spaces that spark insight, collaboration, and possibility.
Hannah is a Learning Designer and Project Owner at Vivayic with more than thirteen years of experience in education. She taught high school agriscience in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she also facilitated professional learning through Green & Growing Education, work she continues to support part-time. Hannah holds a Bachelor's in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota and a Master's in Career and Technical Education from Concordia University in Portland. She specializes in designing high-quality NGSS-aligned curriculum and professional learning experiences that immerse educators in relevant contexts and build bridges between industry and classrooms. Known for her warm and welcoming facilitation style, Hannah empowers educators with practical strategies that bring science to life through the lens of agriculture.
Applications Close February 13th.
The 2026 cohort of 30 participants will be notified of their selection in March.
We are happy to answer your questions. Please send them to onthefarm@fb.org
