Agricultural Information Science & Education

In 2003, the Mississippi Department of Education designated AISE to establish an Agricultural and Environmental Science and Technology (AEST) laboratory on the MSU campus. The lab will be utilized for preparing new agricultural education teachers, professional development for current teachers; conducting research related to teaching and learning using information technologies; and for investigating new approaches to teaching and learning. A National Science Foundation grant, ("Changing Perceptions: Agriculture, Information, and Technology in Mississippi") as well as a Higher Education Challenge Grant, ("What's On Your Plate: Agriculture across the Curriculum") are two of the research projects currently managed by AISE.

Apparel, Textiles, & Merchandising

In ATM, several research projects are underway, including future hiring practices of apparel manufacturers and the most desired competencies; the development of computer applications for the apparel and retail industry using readily available low-cost software; dress on college campuses; and an investigation of the significance of cottage sewing industries in Mississippi in the nineteenth century. The ATM program area maintains a historic costume and textiles teaching collection, which is used by students for design, research, and exhibition. ATM offers regular Study tours on the domestic and foreign fashion industry as well as international courses through the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad. The computer-aided design workshops have attracted an i nternational audience.

Human Development & Family Studies

The faculty in HDFS have a broad spectrum of research projects, ongoing including play-based assessment of children for the Early Intervention system; technical assistance for unlicensed family child care providers through the MSU-ES Nurturing Homes Initiative; rural consumers' use of the Internet for information search and purchase; supply and demand for high school family and consumer sciences teachers in Mississippi; the National Extension Cares Initiative; adolescent and college student gambling; and adolescent sexuality, pregnancy and parenting.