Project Demeter
Fellow: Andrew “Drew” Carson, University of the District of Columbia Roadmap
Fellow Report: ● The Soil-based course is nearing completion, with the first of 8 sessions reviewed and uploaded to Campus site. Initial course will be synchronous and should launch in early March. The asynchronous version of this course will follow in summer. ● The Soilless course is in early development, essentially at the gathering materials stage. Although in theory we should benefit from existing materials previously developed, these materials appear to be insufficient in current form to create a complete course from. We nevertheless hope to launch this course in early March and then keep up with development across its 8 sessions. The asynchronous version of this course will follow in summer. ● We have obtained internal funding sufficient to pay for development of the remaining 3 courses. We are pursuing 2 main options for hiring developers/instructors: 1) discussion with staff from Virginia State University; 2) if possible, hiring former staff from CAUSES now working in the local area (having to check with UDC HR and Legal about this). We would seek to launch the courses on a rolling development basis as with the other two courses (essentially pilot programs), with asynchronous versions of the courses to be completed in the summer. ● Introduction to Urban Farming, a one-session course that introduces students to the urban farmer certification program. Design phase completed. Expected to launch in early March 2022 as a synchronous course, to be transformed to an asynchronous course by May 2022. Market research interview for food app completed. Experience(s) working with your Catalysts and Key Informants: Catalysts have been very helpful in providing encouragement to keep the project progressing. We have not made enough progress in our marketing initiatives to take advantage of KIs in that area, but this should follow in late Quarter 2 and Quarter 3. We should have more availability for KIs in educational technology in Quarter 3 and Quarter 4. Anticipated work for the next reporting period (March 1, 2021 - May 31, 2022): ● Market research interviews to be shared with Aaron Weibe for support in revision. ● Launch synchronous courses for Introduction to Urban Agriculture, Soil-Based Systems, Soilless Systems. ● Contracting for developers to complete Food Safety, Waste Management and Composting, and Agribusiness and Marketing courses
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