The REYAP Agriculture Science and Technology Institute hosted 47 teenagers from across the state June 24 – 27 at Oklahoma State University.
The Retired Educators for Youth Agricultural Programs is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 to promote opportunities in the field of agriculture to and for minority students.
“Bringing the students to OSU provides them an opportunity to live the campus life, gain classroom experience, introduce college careers and learn about (the value and importance of) agriculture science research,” said Rita Combs, REYAP executive director.
Combs said students gain an appreciation for agricultural sciences and technology, and also gain an understanding about how agriculture is extremely diversified and more than farming.
“Our program focuses on leadership, citizenship, economic development and scholarship,” she said. “ The goal is for our students take home a sense of direction and opportunity from this experience.”
Qumitri Anderson, a senior at Ardmore High School, has attended REYAP for three summers and enjoys the experience every year and likes learning about being a leader.
“I really got out of my comfort zone when I got up and presented my oral presentation,” Anderson said. “Speaking in front of people helped me to get my confidence up. I hope to take the leadership and citizenship skills I learned back to my high school.”
REYAP’s 2009 teenage students participated in hands-on, interactive scientific experiences in the food and nutritional science; entomology; biosystems and agricultural engineering; and plant pathology.
Students also took part in an oral and poster presentations to provide an opportunity for them to gain experience and exposure before an audience, while highlighting the research they learned about. They also had a tour of the Cimarron Valley Research Station in Perkins.
