PLANTS AND LANDSCAPING - (9-10) (.5 credit) The Green Industry is one of the fastest growing opportunities in the Agriscience field. This course covers three main topics: house plants, gardening, and landscaping. Students clone house plants, monitor plant growth and health as well as study the plant physiology. Flowers and vegetables are raised from seeds to take home or plant in the landscape around Elmwood School. We design software a project to enhance our school landscape and develop plans for the dream-home using 3D Home Architect Design Suite. Late spring will find students outside working on the school landscape.
HORTICULTURE - (10-12) (.5 credit) This class is offered to help meet the demand for a growing career opportunity in the Green Industry. We learn advanced plant management principles and apply these principles to projects around the school, home and/or community. Lawn care and maintenance, plant nutrition and fertilization, landscape design, lawn equipment operation and maintenance and chemical/pesticide application are some topics.
ANIMAL SCIENCE - (9-10) (.5 credit) Students study farm animals, pets, horses, fish and wildlife. We learn about animal nutrition, feeds and feeding, basic animal physiology, livestock judging, dairy cattle, animal care, reproductive technologies, and veterinary practices for small and large animals. A variety of hands-on learning opportunities may include hatching and caring for baby chicks, week-long small animal care segments including rabbits, cats or dogs, and large animal demonstrations such as horse riding or cattle trimming.
FOOD SCIENCE - (10-12) (.5 credit) Food Science focuses on the development, processing and preservation of various agricultural products. These AgriScience careers offer excellent opportunities for qualified young people. Identification of and processing methods for products like meat, cheese, ice cream, bread, fruits and vegetables engage students in hands-on activities. Product packaging and design units provide creative opportunity to learn what sells to the consumer and what must be on a product label. Meat-cut identification, processing and preparation units teach safe handling techniques from live animal to barbecued beef, pork, chicken or fish. We study reasons why America is the best fed nation, with the most choices and at the lowest price.
FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE - (10-12) (.5 credit) The title should describe the course very well. We cover plant management skills and conservation techniques through involvement in outdoor activities. Chain saw operation, log processing, forestry equipment, measuring trees and harvesting techniques are part of the course. Animal identification, habitat management, hunting/fishing regulations, endangered species, human impact on environment, venison butchering and a wild game feed will be included as well.
SMALL ENGINES - (9-10) (.5 credit) Students learn parts of and operating principles for two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines. We completely dismantle a small engine, inspect parts and rebuild it with the goal of running the engine when complete. This course is highly hands-on and students will have an opportunity to bring in their own small engines for repair. Safety, maintenance, carburetor, ignition, and problem solving are related topics.
MECHANICS (10-12) (.5 credit) The hands-on orientation student will do well in this class. Students expand skills learned in Tech. Ed. and Small Engines to complete individual projects. Students may select projects that include learning and skill development in simple electrical circuits, welding techniques, plumbing activities, outdoor machinery and/or advanced engines principles.
BIOTECHNOLOGY - (11-12) (.5 credit) This fast developing field of Agriscience has unique opportunities for career placement. With such technologies as plant/animal cloning, gene splicing, DNA mapping, embryo transfer, gene therapy, and GPS applications to plant management, Agriscience has many new areas to discover. Going beyond learning theory and scientific principles, we cover how they are applied in real world situations such as pigs growing a cloned human heart and satellites used in tracking plant health.
LEADERSHIP - (11-12) (.5 credit) This semester course is divided into three main areas: Leadership Studies, Chapter Management Activities and Personal Success Planning. We study goal setting and prioritizing wants/needs, organizational dynamics, communication skills, business management techniques, and running a meeting. Some activities may include developing safety unit for youth, organizing the fruit sale, conducting FFA/organizational meetings, preparing for speaking contests, completing award/scholarship applications managing the milk machine and planning the FFA banquet.
FFA MEMBERSHIP: FFA is considered co-curricular, which means in-class and out-of-class activities are included in the organization. All Agriscience classes may involve some sharing of information related to FFA activities and chapter operations. Students wanting to join FFA should be aware that The National FFA Organization requires all member to enroll in at least one Agricultural Education course each school year or maintain a supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) as approved by the FFA Advisor. Although it is highly recommended for all Agriscience students to become FFA members as well, membership is not mandatory. It is understandable that some may be interested only in the information directly related to the course title.
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