The words “Global Scholars Sign-Out” were scrawled on a green piece of paper. Holding my phone, recently retrieved from the cart, I carefully printed my name on the sheet. Signed out, I eagerly walked out to the MS bus circle, ready for the day ahead.
Piling onto the bus at 8:30, our group was small: only five of us and Dr. Hilgert, making the bus ride noticeably quieter than usual. Our cohort had started as thirteen scholars, dropped to twelve at the beginning of Year Two, and dwindled to five for this field trip. Initial incorrect directions led us astray, and a long freight train further delayed us, stretching a 20-minute drive into 30. Arriving five minutes late, we rushed inside, scanned the table for our name tags, and quickly took our seats as the program began.
Following a brief safety presentation and introduction, the numbers (1-3) and letters (A-B) on our name tags divided us into three main groups and two sub-sections, separating me from the other Academy students. With logistics out of the way, the day’s activities began.
My group started in the main room, breaking into small teams of three to four to tackle the first challenge: diagnosing an issue plaguing local soybean farms and formulating a solution. Each team was assigned a specific role, ranging from policymakers to scientific researchers and given different clues. As researchers, my group analyzed field observations on the farm, ruling out potential issues as evidence allowed.
Once our initial subgroup finished collaborating, we regrouped into larger teams where all eight roles were represented. After presenting our findings and eliminating possibilities, our team identified the culprit: soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Rejoining the full room, we learned that SCN is a threat facing Ohio soybean farmers, prompting a discussion on different approaches available to mitigate the pest.
Next, we heard from three guest speakers based in Columbus. They shared career advice, discussed personal challenges, and answered questions about launching and closing small businesses, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry, and working in government. Though our group was quiet at first, three of us posed questions that prompted the panelists to expand on their journey in their varying professions.
To conclude the day, following a short discussion with three Worthington Enterprises team members from various departments, we were guided on a tour of the facility’s innovation space. Instructed to remain inside the yellow lines and wear clear safety goggles, we walked single file through quiet hallways and expansive storage areas. Moving from room to room, we learned about various tools used in the innovation process, from desktop 3D printers to machinery the size of a car. Midway through the tour, we stopped by an exterior window to watch a technician operate a flamethrower-like device, adjusting controls as orange flames shot out.
As the tour concluded, we got the opportunity to handle a lightweight propane tank designed by Worthington Enterprises, the largest manufacturer of propane tanks in the United States. Returning to the main room, all three groups reassembled to reflect on the experience and close out our second Year Two field trip.
Handing in our nametags, we were reminded to complete our follow-up learning modules within two weeks. Later, enjoying snacks on the bus ride back to school, all five of us agreed: it was a day well spent.
