A Student Activity based on the article “A System for Attracting New Students” from the January/February 2010 Our Ohio magazine.
National Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster Content Standards
High School: LifeKnowledge and Cluster Skills Content Standard 03: Career Success: Demonstrate those qualities, attributes and skills necessary to succeed in, or further prepare for, a chosen career while effectively contributing to society.
CS.03.03.01.a-c. Research current and emerging technologies in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Analyze emerging technologies. Conduct workplace study to assess benefits to adapting emerging technologies.
(Note: Key terms used from the National AFNR Content Standards are in bold below).
Discussion points
- Read the entire article titled “A sySTEM of attracting new students” in Our Ohio magazine or on-line.
- Is the experiment that Andrew is participating in with the balloons related to agriculture? How?
- In your opinion, is hands-on experimental learning more successful than lecture from a teacher? Explain.
- By participating in the “Biofuel Blast” experiment, how might these young students be preparing for a career?
- Does this experiment, as simple as it seems, research emerging technologies in the field of agriculture? Why?
- STEM is an acronym for what fields of education?
- According to the article, why is it important to provide students with connections and skills related to science?Explain how a career in science and technology helps to contribute to society
- Define: Biotechnology, Genetics, and Alternative energies
- An educator in the article states “only 18 percent of U.S. high school seniors are considered advanced or proficient in science.” Why haven’t American students been successful in science fields?
- What are 4-H and FFA trying to do to improve student acquisition of STEM skills?
- What type of company is Monsanto? What does Monsanto make/produce/do?
Do you think the students who toured Monsanto researched and analyzed emerging technologies? - Is this a successful approach to engage students in science careers?
- Do you think the programs described in this article will provide students with the qualities, attributes and skills to succeed in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource career field?
- What qualities must leaders have to make sure that “6 billion people” will be fed in the future? What must our leaders know?
- In your opinion, why don’t high school students choose careers in science, engineering, technology or math?
- What would persuade you to become a scientist in the future and to work with emerging technologies?
Hands on at Home or School
- “Biofuel Blast” : Experience the Experiment and see the results at www.4-h.org/NYSD/
- Learn more about biofuels, an emerging new technology.
- In addition to the Ohio4h.org site, explore the world of 4-H: 4-H. org
- Read “about 4-H”
- How do you think participating in 4-H prepares leaders?
- Does 4-H help students contribute to society? How?
- In addition to the Ohioffa.org site, explore the world of FFA: FFA.org
- Read about FFA by clicking on “What is FFA”
- How do you think participating in FFA prepares leaders?
- Does FFA help students contribute to society? How?
Science / Technology Career Education:
Education World, educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech158.shtml
Brainstorm some other careers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
- Do you think you could learn about a business and apply a new technology to the business to make it more productive, successful, or efficient?
- How could grain farming implement a new technology?
- Are there food products that would improve our lives?
- What technology could we utilize to better protect our environment?
Extensions
Geography: Map Use:
- Locate Shelby County and Clark County (birthplace of 4-H) on an Ohio map. http://www.censusfinder.com/mapoh.htm
- Find out more about Monsanto at Monsanto.com
- What careers are available in this company?
- What are the products it produces?
- What does the company do to promote science and technology education?
Go to “Corporate Responsibility” then “Youth and Education” - Where would you find Monsanto headquarters?
More STEM Activities
American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, www.gk12.org
- Overview of the STEM initiative go to “About NSF GK-12”
This student activity was prepared by Camille Kopczewski, who is coordinator of religious education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Grove City. She is a former sixth grade social studies teacher for South-Western City Schools. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in education.