Ag Tech Day set for July 10 in El Paso

Texas A&M AgriLife offers free interactive family event featuring robots, 3-D printing

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in El Paso is hosting an Ag Tech Day event for youth and their families on July 10 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the AgriLife Center at 1380 A&M Circle in El Paso.

This free STEM — science technology, engineering and math — event will offer El Paso residents a day to come out and learn how technology plays a role in local agriculture through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

“Agriculture is crucial for regional sustainability,” said Saurav Kumar, Ph.D., El Paso, Texas A&M AgriLife Research water specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, “It’s a critical component of the economic, environmental, social and cultural landscape here.”

Ag Tech: Teaching how technology helps agriculture grow

As technology plays an increasingly important role in agriculture, it is crucial that Texans understand how the success of something seemingly low-tech like growing crops actually utilizes some of the most cutting-edge science and technology available today.

“We want to show students of all ages how 21st century agriculture is digital and tech-savvy,” Kumar said.

The event will feature drone demonstrations from AgriLife Research scientists, 3-D printer activities, the use of rovers, and the opportunity to learn how to build and code robots.

“My hope for Ag Tech Day is to create interest and motivate our local youth to pursue science and engineering,” said Felicia Martinez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 4-H agent for El Paso County.

Contact Martinez for additional information at felicia.martinez@ag.tamu.edu or by calling 915-771-2354.

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