WAIC has Record Year in 2024, Looks Forward to 2025

By Andrew Joannides

A couple of weeks ago, I was forwarded an article written by someone from the East Coast criticizing some agricultural education lessons. 

At first glance, these lessons seemed misleading and appeared to be trying to sway our children away from eating beef – or at least this is what the article suggested. 

However, after examining the lessons and consulting with educators wiser than myself, we quickly realized these lessons were well-designed, factual and neither anti-agriculture nor anti-beef. What a relief.

As someone approaching 40, it seems to me critical thinking is a missing key element in todayʼs society. As educators, we are passionate about teaching and fostering this skill. The op-ed writer failed to recognize many lessons, especially agricultural ones, are built to teach children – and adults – facts and give them opportunities to decide what is right and what is wrong.

This brain development is crucial for children and evident in adults. These skills are proven to translate later in life and directly impact both academic and job success. Critical thinking is essential for most workplace and life situations – problem-solving, decision-making, sound judgment and analysis.

At Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC), our curriculum Wyo Wonders proudly includes many critical-thinking lessons. 

One of our favorites is fourth grade agriculture lesson two, “Hills and Valleys.”

In this lesson, fourth-grade students connect the geography and climate of Wyoming to draw conclusions about successful ranching and farming in the state. 

Using maps of topography, precipitation, irrigation and locations where crops and livestock are produced, students employ critical thinking by analyzing and interpreting the maps, evaluating how geography and climate impact agriculture and synthesizing this information to discover where livestock and crops can thrive.

Here are some fun facts about our organization from this past year:

Wyo Wonders was used in 100 percent of the schools in Hot Springs and Crook counties. 

Over 1,200 kids participated in a Wyo Wonders lesson in Natrona County.

Every third grader in Lander was taught a lesson. 

2024 has been a record year for WAIC, and thanks to so much support, I am confident we will carry this momentum into 2025.

I hope your holiday season is fruitful and spent with loved ones. Thank you for all you do for Wyoming.

Merry Christmas!

Andrew Joannides is the executive director of WAIC. He can be reached at info@wyaitc.org or 307-369-1749.