Rural Science Education Program
Cells, Genetics, and Biotechnology
For scholars tired of reading the textbook, this unit includes nine hands-on lessons. Through group work, lab activities, experiments, and even one inquiry-based lesson, scholars apply knowledge about cells, genetics, and biotechnology....
Agriculture in the Classroom
Roll of the Genes
Animal reproduction in sheep and cattle is explored with the help of Punnet squares. Scholars employ tools using probability to conclude the color of wool a sheep's offspring will have. Acting as animal geneticists, pupils then take...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Children Resemble Their Parents
Gregor Mendel's work revolutionized agriculture from an art to a science. Explore Mendel's work with an interactive lesson that includes animations, video, and practice problems. The instruction describes the early discoveries that...
Curated OER
Industrial Agriculture
Students write about the benefits that industrial agriculture has had on growing crops. In this industrial agriculture lesson plan, students research how technology has impacted the processing speed of growing food.
Curated OER
Agriculture Scavenger Hunt
In this science worksheet, students find the words that are related to the finding of terms and information about agriculture for ten questions. The answers are on page 3.
Curated OER
Peanut Butter Broccoli - Creating New Produce Through Genetic Selection
Fifth graders understand that traits are inherited and change over time. In this physical traits lesson, 5th graders compare produce items for similar traits. Students create large graphs to show their results. Students discuss genetic...
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
Curated OER
DESIGNER GENES: ONE SIE FITS ALL?
Students explore genetic engineering and issues related to risks and benefits of altering agricultural products.
Curated OER
Biotechnology
Students explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology activity, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
Curated OER
Evolution of Biotechnology Timeline
Learners explore how present biotechnology has evolved. They create a timeline is included referencing major scientists and major events in history which have led to our current understanding and use. A teacher time line is included.
Curated OER
Animal Science - What is Animal Science?
An abridged outline of animal science is posted within these slides. First, the question of what animal science consists of is addressed. Domestication of animals is visited, the myriad of uses of animals is listed, and a concluding...
Curated OER
Biotechnology in Agriculture: Non-surgical removal of fertilized embryos from the Bovine Uterus
Students simulate the step-by-step procedures needed to non-surgically remove embryos from the uterus of a superovulated cow using the Kalver training cow.
Curated OER
Cloning
In this cloning learning exercise, students will read a paragraph about how cloning has been a benefit to medicine and agriculture. Kids will underline the main idea in the paragraph and write down three supporting details. Then students...
Curated OER
Examining and Discussing the Mechanics of Horse Evaluation
Via teacher-led discussion, agriculture classes discover the desirable characteristics of horse anatomy. The PowerPoint and worksheet mentioned in this plan are not available; however you may find the notes useful as a guide to the...
Learning Games Lab
Nitrogen in Fertilizer
Nitrogen is an essential element for productive farming. An interactive lesson explores the chemical makeup of different fertilizers and their corresponding nitrogen content. The interactive challenges individuals to complete molecular...
Learning Games Lab
Scientific Graph Reading
Interpreting graphs is an essential skill for young scientists. An interactive online lesson gives individuals an opportunity to review the components of a graph and learn to read and interpret the shape of a graph. The lesson includes...
Curated OER
JUST A MATTER OF TIME
Young scholars recognize the dynamic changes in themselves and in agriculture that have occurred through the years. They are shown pictures of a baby or students are asked to think of their little brothers or sisters or themselves in...
Curated OER
Foods for Better Health
Students define biotechnology and discuss the economic impact of biotechnology. They also describe what a 1015 onion and a slow-softening tomato are and how they are produced. They examine the safety of genetically-engineered or altered...
Channel Islands Film
Island Cattle Ranching
Is cattle ranching on Santa Rosa island viable or non-viable? Rather than focusing on the issues of the transition of Santa Rosa island from a privately owned island cattle ranch to a national park, class members are asked to consider if...
Learning Games Lab
Nitrogen in Pollutants
Responsible farming is important for maintaining natural resources. Eager scientists complete a WebQuest to explore what happens to nitrogen when it enters the soil. They learn about the chemical makeup of nitrogen-based molecules and...
Curated OER
Introductions to Biotechnology
Although this PowerPoint has valid information, the 49 slides may not engage your students as much as necessary. Each slide has a title and 2 or 3 bullet points, but no images or external resource links to break up the information. ...
Curated OER
Do we Really Need Wild Nature
Students research challenges with which modern biotechnology confronts wild nature. Students collect articles that relate to biotechnology and the environment. Students prepare a collaborative answer to the question, "Do we really need...