By the end of this course sequence, students will have become an informed consumer of agriculture products and mastered 15 skills that will prepare them for a career in the animal science industry.

In addition, students who complete the 8th grade course will earn a high school credit in Agriculture Science.

Course Description

Students in the Introduction to Agriscience class will be taught the basics of the agriculture industry.  They will explain how agriculture impacts them on a daily basis, how to become an informed consumer, and develop vocabulary pertaining to all sectors of the agriculture industry.  Students will focus on how agricultural products are grown, processed, and made ready for consumer purchase.

This course is nine weeks in length.

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Academic Standards

• Health Standard 6.3.1: Describe health-related situations that call for professional services.
• Occupational Skills Standard OA4: Identify and explain environmental and safety concerns about the food supply
• Occupational SkillsStandard OA11: Compare and contrast marketing opportunities for commodities 
• Occupational SkillsStandard OA7: Describe how proactive farm groups influence agricultural policy
• Occupational Skills Standard OA5: Describe agricultural practices that ensure a safe and reliable food supply
• Occupational Skills Standard OA1: Discuss the interrelationships between agriculture commodities based on economic, geographic, and production factors
• Occupational Skills Standard OD3: Discuss factors that influence buyer motivation for agriculture products
• Occupational Skills Standard 8 OA: Analyze historic and current trends impacting the agriculture industry

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Approaches to Learning Skills

Thinking Skills

• Recognize unstated assumptions and biased.
• Draw reasonable conclusions and generalizations
• Interpret data

Social Skills

• Delegate and share responsibility for decision-making
• Exercise leadership and take on a variety or roles within groups
• Advocate for your own rights and needs

Communication Skills

• Give and receive meaningful feedback.
• Manage and resolve conflict and work collaboratively.
• Listen actively to others perspectives and ideas.

Self-Management Skills

• Present information in a variety of formats and platforms.
• Seek a range of perspectives from multiple and varied sources.
• Use appropriate strategies for organizing complex information

Research Skills

• Make informed choices about personal viewing experiences
• Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation 
• Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences

 

Course Description

Students in the Agriscience class will be taught the fundamentals of horticulture and food science. Students will be exposed to current trends in the agriculture industry.  Students will also focus on researching issues and trying to solve problems in the agriculture industry by completing an Agriscience Fair project.

This course is 18 weeks in length.

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Academic Standards

• Health Standard 7.1.3: Explain the similarities and differences among nutritional value among nutrients regarding nutritional value and food sources.
• Health Standard 7.1.12: Describe the social, economic and cosmetic consequences of tobacco use.
• Occupational Skills Standard OA1: Discuss the history and describe /explain the components (e.g., processing, distribution, byproducts) of the food products and processing industry
• Occupational Skills Standard OA2: Evaluate changes and trends in the food products and processing industry
• Occupational Skills Standard OB1: Explain the purpose of agencies (i.e., USDA, FDA, WHO) that are part of/or regulate the food products and processing industry
• Occupational Skills Standard OF4: Identify wholesale and retail cuts of production species
• Occupational Skills Standard OB 2: Describe the components, types, and functions of plant roots, stems and leaves
• Occupational Skills Standard OB 5: Describe the components, types, and functions of plant flowers (including seeds and fruit)
• Occupational Skills Standard OB 7: Analyze the life cycle of plant growth/development from seed to seed (e.g., annual, biannual, perennial)
• Occupational Skills Standard OC 13: Generalize how GMO's impact the horticulture industry
• Occupational Skills Standard OD 1: Explain design elements of line, form, texture and color and express the visual effect each has on the viewer
• Occupational Skills Standard OD 2: Discuss the applications of art in agriculture/horticulture

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Approaches to Learning Skills

Thinking Skills

• Interpret Data
• Test generalizations and conclusions
• Evaluate evidence and arguments

Social Skills

• Delegate and share responsibility for decision-making
• Build consensus
• Make fair and equitable decisions

Communication Skills

• Encourage others to contribute
• Negotiate effectively
• Use a variety of speaking techniques to communicate with a variety of audiences

Self-Management Skills

• Plan short and long term assignments; meet deadlines.
• Process data and report results
• Demonstrate Awareness of media interpretations of events

Reseearch Skills

• Compare, contrast and draw connections among media resources
• Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation 
• Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences

Course Description

Students in the Veterinary Science class will master skills used in a veterinary clinic as well as sanitation, procedures and knowledge of animal husbandry. Each week students will learn a new skill that will help prepare them for a career in the animal science industry.  They will also gain animal industry related vocabulary, hands on experiences, and real life problem solving skills.

This course is 18 weeks in length.

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Academic Standards

• Health Standard 8.1.1: Explain the benefits of living in a diverse society
• Health Standard 8.1.7: Explain climate-related physical conditions that affect personal safety
• Health Standard 8.2.1: Examine how public health policies and laws can influence personal health and behaviors.
• Health Standard 8.8.2: Design an advocacy campaign to influence and support others to make behavior choices to improve personal health and wellness
• Occupational Skills Standard OB2: Recommend safe handling techniques and equipment when working with animals
• Occupational Skills Standard OF2: Differentiate major animal breeds within the industry and their production strengths
• Occupational Skills Standard OG1: Characterize common disorders, parasites, and vaccinated diseases of both production and companion animal species
• Occupational Skills Standard OG2: Discuss the health risks of zoonotic diseases to humans and their historical significance
• Occupational Skills Standard OG5: Explain common surgical and nonsurgical procedures in animal healthcare
• Occupational Skills Standard OG4: Evaluate preventative measures for controlling and limiting the spread of diseases, parasites, and disorders among animals
• Occupational Skills Standard OA13: Summarize the benefits of electronic technology in animal science 
• Occupational Skills Standard 12-OF3: Identify the major skeletal and external parts of production and companion species

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Approaches to Learning Skills

Thinking Skills

• Practice observing carefully in order to recognize problems
• Gather and organize relevant information to formulate an argument
• Revise understanding based on new information and evidence

Social Skills

• Make fair and equitable decisions
• Advocate for your own rights and needs
• Build consensus

Communication Skills

• Give and receive meaningful feedback.
• Use a variety of media to communicate with a range of audiences.
• Exercise leadership and take on a variety of roles within groups

Self-Management Skills

• Bring necessary equipment and supplies to class.
• Present information in a variety of formats and platforms.
• Understand and use technology systems

Research Skills

• Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on their appropriate media communications.
• Compare, contrast and draw connections among media resources
• Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation

• Bryan Station High School Academy of Medical Sciences
• Frederick Douglass High School Academy of Health Sciences
• Locust Trace Agriscience Center
• Southside Technical School Medical Academy
• Tates Creek High School Academy of Academy of Medical and Emergency Services

• National FFA Organization