For Teachers
PK-12 Education
- Because I Care, I Wash My Hands
(videos, free on the web)
Ideally suited for childcare centers, but also useful in other learning environments, this fun, hands-on curriculum is packed full of songs, activities and experiments, to encourage an understanding that hand washing helps keep friends and family healthy. Videos from this series have been viewed more than 62 million times.
- Kid Eats
(videos, recipes, and interactive app, free on iPad and the web)
This project supports families learning how to prepare vegetables and cook safely with children in grades 3-5. It includes educational videos, healthy recipes and step-by-step photo instructions at KidEatsCooking.org and a fun virtual kitchen experience on iPad. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with the University of Connecticut.
- Eat & Move-O-Matic
(interactive educational module; free on iPad)
Small changes in how you eat and move can make big differences. In Eat & Move-O-Matic, players explore the foods they eat and how that food helps fuel their body for their favorite activities. Designed for 4-H youth, this free app lets users compare different combinations of activity and foods to understand energy balance. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with National 4-H Council.
- Math Snacks
Math Snacks are games and animations that convey math in creative, visual, and applied ways. Mathematics educators, mathematicians, learning specialists and game developers collaborated to develop and test Math Snacks games and animations. Accompanying teacher and learner tools support an inquiry-based approach grounded in theory-based pedagogy and the construction, not just transmission, of knowledge. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab in collaboration with the NMSU College of Education and College of Arts & Sciences.
- Treadsylvania ATV Safety
(digital learning game, free on the web)
In this online learning game, players navigate safety obstacles on an ATV to defeat monsters and free the town of Treadsylvania from their evil grasp. Designed for 4-H youth, Treadsylvania is a fun way to learn basic ATV safety. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab in collaboration with National 4-H Council.
- Ninja Kitchen
(digital learning game, free on the web)
In a café staffed entirely by ninjas, sophisticated gameplay reveals principles of food safety. Designed for middle schoolers, Ninja Kitchen teaches how to control microbial growth by storing food at proper temperatures, avoiding cross-contamination, and cooking meat and fish to the proper temperatures. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab in collaboration with Rutgers University.
- 4-H Livestock Record
(mobile app, free on iPhone or iPad)
This free app helps 4-H youth and leaders get organized to succeed in projects and judging contests. It is also suitable for FFA. The app allows users to track and manage livestock project animals for multiple youth and export livestock project data in CSV format. After exporting, it can be imported it into a spreadsheet and used for reporting purposes.
- e-Judging Pro
(mobile app, free on iPhone or iPad)
Designed to support those managing judging contests, e-Judging Pro allows users to quickly enter contest data, such as placings and scores, and automatically compute results for each contestant. Data exports in CSV format to use in spreadsheets or other data programs.
- Science of Agriculture
(videos, animations, and interactive educational modules, free on the web)
These learning modules cover important prerequisite knowledge for agricultural science. Learners use these fun and highly informative learning tools to explore chemistry, math, scientific graphing, and lab techniques as applied to plant, animal, food, soil and environmental sciences. Most modules are suitable for either high school or college students. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with the Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences and the Department of Animal & Range Sciences.
- Virtual Labs
(free interactive educational web modules; iPad options range from free to $1.99)
These interactive Virtual Labs help students learn basic laboratory techniques and practice methods used by lab technicians and researchers in a variety of careers, using specific food science lab processes. Modules include Using the Microscope, Gram Staining, Bacteria Sampling, Testing for Mycotoxins, Understanding & Adjusting pH, and Controlling Water Activity. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University.
- Night of the Living Debt
(digital learning game; free on iPad)
With only a credit card to defend yourself from zombie debt collectors, will you thrive, or merely survive the Night of the Living Debt? In this enjoyable learning game, players navigate the land of the living debt, taking on debts such as rent, car payments and insurance. High schoolers can play this game to learn how to make careful financial decisions to establish a healthy credit score. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab in collaboration with University of Idaho Extension.
- Potluck Panic
(digital learning game, free on the web)
This online card game helps players learn about best practices for food packaging, storing and preparing ingredients, and avoiding cross-contamination. As they play through the game, learners gather knowledge to keep guests safe from foodborne illness and make sure food is assembled with food safety in mind, from factory to potluck. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab in collaboration with the University of Delaware.
- CONSERVE
(videos, free on the web)
New technologies allow farmers to sustainably grow food crops while conserving dwindling water supplies. These animated videos raise awareness among producers and the public about the importance of water for food production and how new technologies can help us to utilize water efficiently.
- PowerPay
(mobile app, free on iOS)
This app helps consumers develop a personalized, self-directed debt elimination plan to pay off their debts in the most efficient way. Developed by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with Utah State University Extension.
Health & Safety/Nutrition
- Don’t Be Gross
(videos, free on the web)
Spread the knowledge, not the germs, with these short, animated videos. Designed for youth, these brief entertaining videos help show common situations where hand washing saves the day. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with Rutgers University.
- Don’t Wash Your Chicken!
(videos, printable handouts; free on the web)
Although raw chicken and turkey can carry bacteria on their surfaces, research has shown that washing raw poultry under running water is a bad idea, potentially spreading bacteria around the kitchen and any other nearby food. This collection of animations, videos, and fotonovela-style handouts helps consumers understand why it’s best to focus on cooking poultry to a safe temperature to kill bacteria. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with Drexel University, materials from Don’t Wash Your Chicken have been viewed more than 1.3 million times and shown on all major TV networks.
- Fresh & Dirty
(videos, free on the web)
Fresh produce can sometimes be dirty. It’s important to wash it, no matter where you get it. These short, humorous videos are aimed at consumers who shop at Farmers’ Markets and suitable for sharing on social media.
- Produce Safety Matters
(videos, free on the web)
Growers, packing centers, and retailers rely on one another to prevent contamination and keep consumers safe. These animated videos illustrate how contamination can spread from field to table and suggest ways to avoid this. They include "Pause Points" (recommended spots to pause the video) where a presenter can discuss, distribute additional materials or reinforce learning during a training. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with North Carolina State University, the Ohio State University, and the University of Florida.
- Beef Jerky Processing
(interactive educational module, free on the web)
Using this interactive web module, small food processors can learn how to safely manufacture beef jerky according to their preferred method, including variations in thawing, seasoning, cooking and drying. Available in English and Spanish.
- Chinese Food Safety
(interactive educational modules, free on the web) Chinese-speaking foodservice workers can learn key food safety concepts including hand washing, dishwashing, rice cooker safety, and preventing cross-contamination via this interactive curriculum. Available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with Clemson University.
- Stay Safe with Horses
(interactive educational module, free on the web)
In this interactive web module, youth and horse farm workers can learn about horse behavior and best practices for handling horses safely. The player learns about how to gauge a horse’s temperament as well as safety tips for handling horses in the stall, when leading, and when releasing for turnout.
Science / Engineering / Math
- Weather and Climate
Let's Learn About Weather and Climate Science
An experiential and inquiry-based unit of instruction designed to improve science comprehension of middle school students in weather and climate.
Plants
- Understanding Western Soils
(videos, free on the web)
Suitable for master gardeners, landscapers, or Extension educators, this series provides guidance on how to sample soil for analysis and includes visualizations related to soil properties and water infiltration. Concepts such as particle size, soil water-holding capacity, runoff, leaching, sodium adsorption ratio, sodic soils, and saturated paste are explored. Short video demonstrations assist with teaching or learning. The series focuses on arid soils, such as those found in the American West. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with the Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences and the NMSU Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands
Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands (searchable webpage, free on the web)
This mobile-accessible web database helps agricultural professionals, ranchers, and others on the Navajo Nation identify typical range plants to help maximize rangeland ecology, productivity and sustainability. Plants are identified by both their English and Navajo names and are searchable by plant type, common name, scientific name, flower color, habitat, growing season, or special concerns. Produced by NMSU Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with Tri-State Navajo Extension.
- Southwest Plant Selector
(mobile app, free on iPhone or iPad)
This free iOS app helps homeowners and landscapers find the perfect plant for New Mexico landscapes. It includes a searchable arid plant database with expert-recommended xeric landscape plants and instructions about site, irrigation needs, and more. Produced by Innovative Media Research and Extension in collaboration with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.