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News & Events
On June 18, 2008, Dr. Shannon Pinson and Ms. Naomi Gipson from the Rice Research Unit in Beaumont, TX participated in the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science camp for 48 area middle school students. The Science Camp was hosted by Lamar University in Beaumont. The students were introduced to the world of rice research using a puzzle that gave them exposure to the Scientific Method for problem solving. They were presented with the concepts of identifying a researchable problem, developing a hypothesis, designing experiments, and reaching a conclusion. The students were presented with rice grain samples from different stages of the milling process. They learned about how rice cultivars vary in cooking and sensory quality. Students were given different types of rice (long grain, aromatics, and waxy rice) to taste and compare, and then were asked to describe differences in flavor, texture and appearance. Each student was provided a list of a wide variety of foods, beverages, and other items that are made using rice. A packet containing a rice panicle and a description of the rice plant’s growth and developmental stages were given to each student along with instructions for growing rice.
Ms. Gipson and Dr. Pinson explain growth stages of the rice plant.
Student inspecting appearance differences in two rice cultivars.
Students experience taste differences in rice.
Several ARS scientists from the Rice Research Unit made presentations at the 60th annual rice field day hosted by Texas A&M University at Beaumont, TX on July 12, 2007. Dr. Anna McClung, Research Geneticist, presented an overview of rice breeding efforts, highlighting the recent release of the long grain cultivar, Presidio rice. Dr. Shannon Pinson, Research Geneticist, reported on progress that is being made in the USDA RiceCAP project to develop genetic markers associated with sheath blight resistance. Dr. Ming Chen, Research Chemist, presented an overview of the health-beneficial compounds found in the bran layer of the whole grain, brown rice. The field day was attended by over 250 growers and representatives of the US rice industry.
Dr. Anna McClung presented a tour of the rice research breeding plots at the Beaumont station to members of the Texas Rice Improvement Association on July 11, 2007. In addition, the group reviewed foundation seed production fields of ARS cultivars that have been released and are being increased this year. These include rice cultivars Presidio, Sierra, Carolina Gold Select, and Hidalgo.
Dr. Anna McClung presented an update on progress being made in the ARS rice breeding program at the Texas A&M University 33rd annual rice field day held at Eagle Lake, TX on June 27, 2007. The field day was attended by over 200 rice farmers, industry representatives, and researchers.
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