This course is designed for 9th grade students. Agriculture science focuses on integrating biological/physical sciences with technology as related to the environment, natural resources, food production, science and agribusiness. Topics of instruction include agricultural awareness and literacy, leadership and FFA, employability skills and introduction to all aspects of the total agricultural industry. Skills in biology, language, writing, computers, mathematics, and physics are reinforced in this course. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are field trips, shadowing, agriscience projects, and supervised agricultural experience. Supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA leadership activities are integral components of the course and provide many opportunities for practical application of instructional competencies.
Agriscience Standards and Benchmarks
Standard 1: Understand problem solving, analysis, and
decision-making in agriculture
Benchmark: Analyze situation, use problem-solving approach and make appropriate decisions
a. Analyze the economic impact of production agriculture on the economy
Standard 2: Understand leadership and ethics development
in agriculture
Benchmark: Apply principles of leadership and ethical behavior to selected situations in agriculture
a. Delegate duties
b. Become personally involved in a professional organization
Standard 3: Understand the concept of cooperation and community service/teamwork
Benchmark: Demonstrate cooperation and teamwork skills
a. Identify the impact of positive community relations through communications, business appearance and practices in addition to personal involvement in related professional organizations
Standard 4: Understand the use of communication skills in agriculture – interpersonal and group; written and oral
Benchmark: Use appropriate communication skills in a variety of occupational situations in agriculture
a. Speak effectively in front of others
b. Organize thoughts and write clearly
Standard 5: Understand the principles of goal setting – personal and organizational
Benchmark: Explain the goal setting process
a. Define goals
Standard 6: Understand the concept of adapting to change in
agriculture
Benchmark: Develop strategies to effectively adapt to new situations and rapid changes in agriculture
a. Utilize past, current, and future trends to analyze and interpret charts, graphs, and other information to develop management decisions
Standard 7: Understand the concept of career development and improvement – lifelong learning
Benchmark: Develop strategies to make a successful transition from school to work
a. Identify career opportunities in production agriculture
Standard 8: Understand basic technical skills and knowledge in
the occupational area of agricultural production
Benchmark: Apply technical skills in a hands-on experiential setting in agriculture
a. List specific biotechnology products in use
b. Recognize the concept of DNA
c. Show awareness of processes of biotechnology: fingerprinting, transformation and extraction