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Agriscience (Period 1)

Course Description

This course satisfies one of three credits required for an elective focus when taken in conjunction with other Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources courses. In addition, this course satisfies one credit of laboratory science required for graduation. This class is taught using a curriculum that focuses on the agricultural industry and all aspects of agriculture. The CASE curriculum has shown to enhance students problem solving skills and development of critical thinking.
 

Major Concepts

Concepts are the principles, theories, and recurring themes important to a student’s understanding of a CASE™ course of study. Teachers use concepts to define what students are learning. In CASE curricula, each lesson has a list of concepts that are directly related to the major topics of that lesson. Major concepts reach beyond a lesson and are emphasized in all CASE courses. The following major concepts are underlying themes throughout CASE curricula.

Agriculture, food, and natural resources systems produce the food, fiber, and fuel that are essential to daily life as well as contribute to the nation’s economic wealth.

  1. Individuals who pursue a program of study in agricultural education will benefit from leadership development, personal growth, and career exploration.
  2. Agriculture is a science that contributes to the development, improvement, and sustainability of living things.
  3. Agricultural education establishes a relevant setting for the application of mathematical practices and principles.
  4. Effective interpersonal communication skills facilitate group processes and aid in solving complex problems and the achievement of common goals.
  5. Reading and writing interpretation skills are necessary for educational and professional development.
  6. Safety is an attitude of personal responsibility that must be practiced in the agricultural classroom, laboratory, shop, greenhouse, and facilities.
  7. Inquiry activities are important in the practice of scientific processes and in the world of research.
  8. The use of technology and computer applications is critical to modern agricultural practices.
  9. Consideration of the ethical, environmental, social, and economic impacts of agricultural practices is essential to being a responsible, involved citizen.
  10. Individuals involved with the processes of agricultural production must perform specific technical skills proficiently.
  11. Critical thinking involves using a variety of problem-solving techniques in real-life contexts.

Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources-Course Description

 

Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) introduces students to the range of agricultural opportunities and the pathways of study they may pursue. Science, mathematics, reading, and writing components are woven in the context of agriculture and students will use the introductory skills and knowledge developed in this course throughout the CASE™ curriculum. Woven throughout the course are activities to develop and improve employability skills of students through practical applications. Students will explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course.

 

Students participating in the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources course will experience hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences will involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, plants, animals, natural resources, and agricultural mechanics. While surveying the opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources, students will learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take responsibility for their work, actions, and learning. For example, students will work in groups to determine the efficiency and environmental impacts of fuel sources in a practical learning exercise.

 

The Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources course is intended to serve as the introductory course within the CASE Program of Study. The course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the fields of agricultural science and natural resources so that students may continue through a sequence of courses through high school. The knowledge and skills students develop will be used in future courses within the CASE program.

 

In addition, students will understand specific connections between their lessons and Supervised Agricultural Experience and FFA components that are important for the development of an informed agricultural education student. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.