Agriscience Explorations

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Agriscience Explorations (8th Grade Agriculture) Course Syllabus - 2017-2018 Instructor:

Mr. Branscum (918) 718-5362 (Cell) [email protected]

Course Description: Do you know where your food comes from? If you said, “NO” then you are part of 72% of Americans who know nearly nothing about where their food comes from (U.S. Farmer and Ranchers Alliance). Even if you never work or live on a farm, you need to know about agriculture. How will you learn about agriculture? The answer is not by sitting in those chairs! Agriculture is NOT about reading textbooks, memorizing facts, or falling asleep while the teacher is teaching. It is FUN!!! Some days will be taught with lectures; but other days will be spent in the greenhouse, Ag shop, livestock arena, breaking down engines, making food, or interacting with fellow classmates. You cannot learn to weld a bead by reading a book. Agricultural Education is about LEARNING BY DOING! Things to Bring to Class: 1. Pen/Pencil 2. Binder 3. FFA Manual (Provided by Instructors) Expected Activities for Students 1. Every student is required to have a SAE or Supervised Agricultural Experience Project and keep records on it. This is simply a hands-on project that occurs outside of Ag class. This can include having a show animal, working in a garden, shadowing a Vet, and countless other opportunities. FFA provides $1,000 grants for students looking to start a new SAE program 2. Attend a minimum of 2 FFA Activities per Semester – As a student in an Agricultural Education class, students are also members of FFA. It is important for them to explore what FFA has to offer. We have over 50 different FFA activities per semester that students can take part in. For more information look on our calendar at www.stillwaterffa.com 3. Conduct an Agriscience Project - This will be done in class. Students then have the opportunity to compete at State Competitions if they choose. Last year, 3 of our 8th Graders competed, won scholarships, and will be competing at Nationals in October

Agriscience Explorations (8th Grade Agriculture) Course Syllabus - 2017-2018 Units Covered This Fall Semester: 16 Weeks  Cattle Grading – 2 Weeks o Students will learn how evaluate cattle that they would be looking to purchase at a sale barn o Students will evaluate live cattle during class  What is FFA? – 2 Weeks o As students in Ag. Class, students are also members of the National FFA Organization. What all does that involve? Students will learn the basics of being a member of FFA o Students will take part in a variety of activities that show of their FFA knowledge such as official dress relay, taking part in the FFA Opening Ceremonies, and showing off what you know with weekly quiz bowl tournaments  Career Development Events – 2 Weeks o Every student is required to be a part of at least one of the 30+ CDEs that FFA has to offer. These included Livestock Judging, Floriculture (flower judging), Entomology (bugs), Public Speaking, and numerous others. o From this point on, most Fridays will be set aside for students to work on their CDEs during class  Supervised Agricultural Experiences – 2 Weeks o An SAE is a hands-on project that students take part in that is AG related. This could include showing animals, welding, a part time ag job, working in the greenhouse, or hundreds of others. Each student will have one SAE project o Each kid will keep both financial and/or time records over their SAE project using our online record keeping system  Agriscience Fair – 2 Weeks o Students will take part in an in-class project to create the best form of cricket repellent using the scientific method o Students will select and conduct their own Agriscience project  Parliamentary Procedure/Public Speaking – 2 Weeks o Students will overcome America’s number 1 fear… Public Speaking  Small Engines – 4 Weeks o Students will learn how to change a tire, check oil, and perform other car maintenance o Students will learn the different parts of a lawn mower small engine. In groups, students will tear down the engine and put it back together Semester Final – Setting up an Agriscience Fair Project with research and procedure steps outlined Bonus Points – 1 Bonus Point for every Meat Item Sold (Maximum 100 Points)

Agriscience Explorations (8th Grade Agriculture) Course Syllabus - 2017-2018 Units Covered This Spring Semester: 16 Weeks  Poultry Science – 3 Weeks o Students will learn basic anatomy, terms, and species of poultry o Students will hatch out eggs, raise chickens, harvest and process the birds, and consume their product during class  Equine Science – 2 Weeks o Learning basic horse terms, anatomy, breeds, colors as well as judging horses  Animal Welfare – 3 Weeks o Students will learn the difference between “Animal Rights” and “Animal Welfare” by talking about hot topics such as battery cages, horse slaughter, farrowing crates, and other agricultural issues  Dairy Science – 2 Weeks o Learning basic dairy cattle anatomy, breeds, and evaluation o Learning the process of dairy processing including making ice cream and butter during class  Soil Science – 2 Weeks o Learning basic soil texture and nutrient information by conducting soil tests around the school farm  Plant Science – 2 Weeks o Students will work in our new school greenhouse to prepare for our first annual plant sale as well as create Mother’s Day Baskets to take home  Animal Nutrition – 2 Weeks o Students will learn the basics of Animal Nutrition as well as create feed rations to meet needs of various animals o Students will construct a 3-D poster of the digestive system of the animal of their choosing. They will present these in class Semester Final – Final Agriscience Fair Board and Presentation Bonus Points – Present a FFA Speech at Competitions – 100 Points Bonus Points – Compete in the State Agriscience Fair Contest – 100 Points

I, Print Name_______, understand what is expected of me in this class and will follow the student conduct items listed above Student Signature

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