In an effort to encourage students to explore careers in agriculture, Zoetis, the leading global animal health company, the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, are joining forces to launch a new, cost-free Virtual Field Trip. STEM Careers Improving Animal Health will broadcast LIVE on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. ET from the Zoetis Headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey. 

The STEM Careers Improving Animal Health Virtual Field Trip will give students a look into careers found at Zoetis that provide medicines and vaccines, along with diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices, and a wide range of services to veterinarians, livestock producers, and those who raise and care for farm and companion animals. Virtual Field Trip viewers will be transported to the Zoetis headquarters where they will hear first-hand accounts from current employees about careers within the company and the educational background each job requires. For more information on the STEM Careers Improving Animal Health Virtual Field Trip or to register to participate, visit agexplorer.com/virtual-field-trip. To access the website’s free resources, visit AgExplorer.com. 

“We have reached an exciting time in the animal health industry when the need for innovation is accelerating. It is imperative for the next generation of solution seekers to engage in opportunities to explore agriculture and STEM,” said Kristin Peck, President, U.S. Operations, Zoetis.  “By partnering with the FFA Organization and Discovery Education to create STEM Careers Improving Animal Health, we hope to empower students everywhere to pursue agriculture careers that truly make a difference in the world.”

By the year 2050, the world’s farmers will need to double food production, in particular, animal protein such as meat, milk, poultry, eggs, and fish, to meet the demands of a global population estimated to be 9.1 billion. Continuous innovation will be ever more important to help farmers produce increasing amounts of high-quality, safe animal protein with finite resources. Through its mission of bringing animal health customers quality products, services, and commitment, Zoetis aims to help its veterinarian and livestock farmers customers tackle this challenge.

“With job openings expanding rapidly every year in agriculture, there is no better time than now to start sparking student interest in the field,” said National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl. “We are thrilled to continue the AgExplorer mission in partnership with Zoetis and Discovery Education to transform today’s high school students into the field’s leaders of tomorrow.”

To accompany the virtual experience, Zoetis, the National FFA Organization and Discovery Education have developed both pre-and post-virtual field trip teaching resources available for classroom use at agexplorer.com/virtual-field-trip.

“Discovery Education is proud to team up with Zoetis and the National FFA to advocate for greater student interest in agriculture career fields,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “Through exploration of leading organizations like Zoetis and their thriving opportunities, students will be excited about the possibilities that exist to obtain jobs that are crucial to conquering real-world challenges.”

The STEM Careers Improving Animal Health Virtual Field Trip is an extension of the National FFA and Discovery Education’s comprehensive career resource, AgExplorer. Launched last year, the AgExplorer program intends to drive interest in high school students to pursue careers in agriculture, a field with a variety and abundance of opportunities for the future. Among the career pathways highlighted at AgExplorer.com are animal systems; biotechnology systems; environmental service systems; food products and processing systems; natural resources systems; plant systems; power, structural and technical systems; and agricultural education. In addition, AgExplorer.com includes more than 250 career descriptions with education requirements and average salaries, links to a college and university database and more.

Educators and classrooms can join the conversation and ask questions of participants LIVE on Twitter @NationalFFA, @DiscoveryEd and using the hashtag #AGExplorerVFT. Following this live event, a Virtual Field Trip Archive will be made available on-demand through Discovery Education’s website.

The STEM Careers Improving Animal Health Virtual Field Trip is also available through Discovery Education Streaming Plus. For more information about Discovery Education’s digital content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected with Discovery Education on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @DiscoveryEd.