III UNIVERSITY EXTENSION FAIR IN AGRONOMY AT CJUR/UFOPA: a tool for promoting the course and integrating it with Society

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.97341524211110

• Palavras-chave: Teaching. Social interaction. Entrepreneurship. Sustainability. Agricultural Sciences.

• Keywords: Teaching. Social interaction. Entrepreneurship. Sustainability. Agricultural Sciences.

• Abstract:

  University extension makes it possible for universities to get closer to society through actions that publicize to the community the courses offered and the knowledge generated in the institutions. One way of doing this is by promoting Extension Fairs, which can take place in different areas of knowledge. With this in mind, the aim of this paper is to report on the III Agronomy University Extension Fair at CJUR/UFOPA, describing the activities developed by the students for presentation to the external community, in order to propose alternatives for entrepreneurship, sustainability and scientific knowledge. The CJUR/UFOPA Agronomy University Extension Fair (FEXAGRO) is an annual event organized by students and teachers linked to the course. The Extension Fair project is linked to the University Extension Program "Agronomy in Focus", which is provided for in the Course Pedagogical Project (PPC), and is of great importance in the qualified training of students. FEXAGRO was also linked to the Integrated Extension Practices I and III curricular components. To organize FEXAGRO, a team of 49 people was formed, including teachers and students, all linked to the Agronomy course. A number of steps were taken to put together the program for III FEXAGRO: i) Dividing the students into groups to come up with themes linked to agronomy, entrepreneurship and/or sustainability; ii) Selecting the students to be part of the organizing committee; iii) Presenting the proposals in the classroom to the teachers in order to obtain their collaboration and improvements in the activities; iv) Looking for sponsors to hold the Extension Fair; v) Publicizing the call for teams from other classes to take part in the Fair; vi) Publicizing the Extension Fair in the form of flyers on the Juruti Campus, the external community and social networks. In all, 8 stands were set up with the following themes: 1) Serraplant; 2) Coffee made from Açaí pits; 3) Sustainable bar soap; 4) Sustainable chairs; 5) Cassava ice cream; 6) Passion fruit albedo jelly; 7) Reusing instant coffee glass; and 8) Banana derivatives. The experience put into practice the activities organized during the period, arousing interest among students and the external community in business alternatives. Overall, the III Agronomy University Extension Fair is a valuable tool for promoting scientific and technological education in the municipality, because as well as publicizing the Agronomy course and UFOPA, it is also a means of reinforcing the university's mission of sharing and building knowledge.