Faculty | ASTE
Debra Spielmaker

Ag Systems Technology Ed
- Applied Sciences Technology & EducAgricultural Literacy/Education; STEM Education, CTE Education
Extension Professor
Contact Information
Office Hours: Varies, an email will get a response within 24-hours
Go toOffice Location: ASTE 109
DialPhone: 435-213-5562
SendEmail: debra.spielmaker@usu.edu
Educational Background
PhD, Curriculum & Instruction, (Instructional Technology), Utah State University, 2013 Dissertation
Evaluating the Effectivness of the Utah Career and Technical Introduction Course
MS, Agricultural Education, Utah State University, 1985 Thesis
A comparison of employee demand and job-entry requirements for Utah's farm implement industry in 1981 and 1985
Licensures & Certifications
Utah Biology Teacher Certification, Utah State Office of Education, 1989
Biography
Debra Spielmaker is a Professor in the School of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education. She serves as the department graduate chair and is also the Team leader of the USDA-NIFA sponsored National Center for Agricultural Literacy.
Teaching Interests
agricultural literacy, STEM, adult education, and career education
Research Interests
Agricultural literacy, STEM education, career education, Project-based Learning
Awards
2020 American Association for Agricultural Education Distinguished Extension Educator, 2020
American Association for Agricultural Education Distinguished Extension EducatorGovernor’s Medal for K-12 STEM Education , 2017
Utah Governor's Office of Economic DevelopmentAmerican Association for Agriculture Education, First Place Innovation Poster: A logic model for agricultural literacy (2014)., 2014
American Association for Agriculture EducationUtah State Univeristy Greats of 2012, 2013
Utah State UniversityFirst Place Innovation Poster: InterAgtion and Curriculum Mapping for Agricultural Lilteracy, 2012
Western Region American Association for Agriculural EducationUtah State University Extension Nominee for Excellence in Extension Award Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension, 2011
Association of Public and Land-grant UniversitiesCo-Chair of Agricultural Literacy Standards Summit, 2011
United States Department of AgricultureArch of Fame Award, 2010
Utah Association of Family and Consumer Science TeachersSecond Place Conception/Innovation Poster: K-6 Online Course Professional Development, 2010
Western Region American Association for Agricultural EducationOutstanding (First Place) Conception/Innovation Poster: Growing A Nation, 2007
Western Region American Association for Agricultural EducationState FFA Degree, 2007
Distinguished Achievement Award for Growing a Nation: The Story of American Agriculture, 2006
The Association of Educational PublishersService to the Industry Award, 2006
Dairy Farmers of UtahE.G. Peterson Award, 2004
Utah State University ExtensionOutstanding Food Land and People Program Leadership Award, 2004
Food, Land & People Inc.Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award, 2004
Cache County Farm BureauAggie Blue Pride Light Honoree, 2003
Utah State UniversityAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science Website Excellence Award , 2003
American Association for the Advancement of ScienceExtension Merit Increase Award, 2003
Utah State University ExtensionState Science Textbook Review Committee, 2003
Utah State Office of EducationOutstanding Food, Land & People Program, 2002
Food, Land & People Inc.Taggart-Ballard Award of Excellence, 2001
Utah State Univerisity ExtensionNational Agriculture Initiative Award, Winner, 2000
Agriculture in the Classroom ConsortiumTaggart-Ballard Award of Excellence, 2000
Utah State University ExtensionFriend of Agriculture Award, 1999
Utah Farm Bureau FederationNational Agriculture Initiative Award, 1999
Agriculture in the Classroom ConsortiumPresident’s Service Award, 1998
Utah Association of Conservation DistrictsPublications - Abstracts
- Judd-Murray, R., Spielmaker, D., (2017). Evaluating the effectiveness of an agricultural literacy preservice teacher workshop. Western Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education
- Spielmaker, D., (2016). Developing agricultural literacy outcomes: A synthesis of research-based expectations. Western Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education
- Wray, P., Spielmaker, D., (2016). Farm field days as a learning model for agricultural literacy. Western Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education
Publications - Books & Book Chapters
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Fact Sheets
- Spielmaker, D., (2013). History of the National and USDA Agriculture in the Classroom logos. *
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Curriculum
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Journal Articles
- Hill, P.A, Ali, A.D, Narine, L.K, Spielmaker, D., Schmutz, A., (2020). Evaluating Utah’s Rural Online Initiative: Empowering Rural Communities Through Remote Work. Journal of Extension, 58:5
- Christensen, J., Warnick, B.K, Spielmaker, D., Tarpley, R.S, Straquadine, G., (2009). Agricultural inservice needs of technology, life and careers teachers. Journal of Agricultural Education, 50:4, 1-13. doi: 10.5032/jae.2009.04001
Academic Journal
Professional Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Literary Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - MultiMedia
- Spielmaker, D., (2015). National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix. National Agriculture in the Classroom
Software
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Technical Reports
- Spielmaker, D., (2021). 2020 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2019). 2018 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2018). 2017 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2017). 2016 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2016). 2015 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2015). 2014 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2014). 2013 Agriculture in the Classroom State Reports. National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization *
- Spielmaker, D., Warnick, B.K, (2012). A Trend Analysis of National Agriculture in the Classroom Program Data: 2006-2010. National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization *
- Spielmaker, D., Pilot Study to Develop a Survey Instrument for Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Utah Career and Technical Education Introduction Course.
- Spielmaker, D., RFA for Advanced Placement Human Geography Curricula. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2014). Request for application: National Center for Agricultural Literacy. *
- Spielmaker, D., (2014). Logic Model for Agricultural Literacy Poster. American Association of Agricultural Educators
- Spielmaker, D., (2013). Logic Model for Agricultural Literacy.
Research Reports
Other Reports
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Translations & Transcripts
Publications - Other
- Kinkead, J., Funda, E.I, Spielmaker, D., (2011). Tied to the Land: Three--of the countless-- efforts to celebrate USU's exceptioanl national impact under the Morrill Act. Utah State *
- Spielmaker, D., (2015). Agricultural Literacy Research Zotero Database. https://www.zotero.org/groups/25398 *
- Spielmaker, D., Wolanyk, E., (2011). Agriculture in the Classroom White Paper. National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization
Magazine/Trade Publication
Other
* Has not been peer reviewed
Scheduled Teaching
ASTE 7900 - Independent Study, Spring 2022
ASTE 7170 - Program Theory and Evaluation, Spring 2022
, Fall 2021
ASTE 7970 - Dissertation Research, Fall 2021
ASTE 7900 - Independent Study, Fall 2021
ASTE 6970 - Research and Thesis, Fall 2021
ASTE 7810 - Research Seminar, Fall 2021
ASTE 6460 - Integrating Career and Tech Educ Curriculum with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Spring 2021
ASTE 6140 - Reading and Applying Research, Spring 2021
ASTE 7810 - Research Seminar, Fall 2020
ASTE 7170 - Program Theory and Evaluation, Spring 2020
ASTE 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Fall 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Fall 2019
ASTE 7900 - Independent Study, Fall 2019
ASTE 6170 - Program Planning and Evaluation, Fall 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2019
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Summer 2019
ASTE 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Spring 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2019
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2019
ASTE 6460 - Integrating Career and Tech Educ Curriculum with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Spring 2019
ASTE 6140 - Reading and Applying Research, Spring 2019
ASTE 6970 - Research and Thesis, Spring 2019
ASTE 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Fall 2018
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Fall 2018
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Fall 2018
ASTE 6160 - Foundations of Adult Education, Summer 2018
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2018
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Summer 2018
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2018
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Spring 2018
ASTE 6140 - Reading and Applying Research, Spring 2018
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Fall 2017
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Fall 2017
ASTE 6170 - Program Planning and Evaluation, Fall 2017
ASTE 6160 - Foundations of Adult Education, Summer 2017
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2017
ASTE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Summer 2017
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2017
FCSE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Spring 2017
ASTE 6460 - Integrating Career and Tech Educ Curriculum with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Spring 2017
ASTE 6170 - Program Evaluation, Spring 2017
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Spring 2017
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Spring 2017
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Spring 2017
ASTE 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Fall 2016
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Fall 2016
ASTE 6160 - Foundations of Adult Education, Summer 2016
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2016
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2016
FCSE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Spring 2016
ASTE 6140 - Reading and Applying Research, Spring 2016
FCSE 6180 - Administration and Program Planning, Fall 2015
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Fall 2015
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Summer 2015
FCSE 6950 - Graduate Internship, Summer 2015
ASTE 6170 - Program Evaluation, Summer 2015
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Summer 2015
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Summer 2015
TEE 5910 - Special Problems in Engineering and Technology Education, Summer 2015
ASTE 6900 - Graduate Independent Study in Career and Technical Education, Spring 2015
ASTE 6460 - Integrating Career and Tech Educ Curriculum with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Spring 2015
ASTE 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Fall 2014
ASTE 6160 - Foundations of Adult Education and Program Evaluation, Fall 2014
FCSE 6140 - Evaluation and Ethics of Research in Education and Extension, Spring 2014
TEE 6150 - Evaluation and Assessment, Fall 2013
TEPD 5560 - Special Topics, Summer 2013
TEPD 5560 - Special Topics, Spring 2013
TEPD 5560 - Special Topics, Fall 2012
TEAL 5560 - Special Topics, Fall 2011
TEPD 5560 - Special Topics, Fall 2011
EDUC 5560 - ST: FOOD LAND, & PEOPLE, Spring 2011
ASTE 6400 - Food, Land, and People, Fall 2010
ASTE 6400 - Food, Land, and People, Fall 2010
EDUC 5560 - Special Topics, Fall 2010
Extension
Civil Rights, 2007 - 2025
Student Outreach, 1994 - 2025
USDA-NIFA Agriculture in the Classroom, 2012 - 2018
Teacher In-Service & Recognition, 2007 - 2013
Development & Distribution of Instructional Resources, 1994 - 2013
Agricultural Organization Presentations, 1994 - 2013
Pre-service Teacher Training, 2011 - 2013
Graduate Students Mentored
Jennifer Bennett, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2021
Jennifer Samples, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2020
Melia Balls, Ag Systems Technology Ed, January 2017
Stan Maeser, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2016
Michelle Clouse, Ag Systems Technology Ed, September 2018 - May 2021
Nicole Manwaring, Ag Systems Technology Ed, May 2018 - December 2019
Calee Lott, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2016 - August 2019
Amelia Miller, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2016 - May 2019
Lois Nielsen, Ag Systems Technology Ed, September 2014 - December 2017
Marshall Rogers, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2016 - December 2017
Michelle Simmons, Ag Systems Technology Ed, December 2015 - May 2017
Paige Wray, Ag Systems Technology Ed, December 2015 - December 2016
Leslie Seiferle, Ag Systems Technology Ed, January 2013 - December 2016
Jeanine David, Ag Systems Technology Ed, September 2014 - May 2016
Brandon King, Ag Systems Technology Ed, August 2013 - May 2015