Activity 1: Agricultural Technology Timeline

1. Lead a discussion about the development of agricultural technology. Integrate the following points into the discussion:
   • Agriculture began around 10,000 BC when humans started domesticating plants and animals to ensure a more reliable food source when compared to hunting and gathering. At that time, most work was accomplished by hand with few tools available.
   • The introduction of powered machinery replaced work previously performed by people and animals (horses, mules, and oxen).
   • Throughout history, scientific and technological advancements have impacted the agricultural industry by increasing food production and farm efficiency.
2. Organize the students into small groups. Provide each group with a set of Agricultural Technology Timeline cards.
3. Have each group create a timeline of agricultural technology by ordering the cards and placing the year card in the space provided on the corresponding technology card. 
4. After the groups have completed their timelines, check to make sure the order is correct.
   • 1701: Jethro Tull introduced the seed drill, a device that cuts trenches and drops in seeds.
   • 1793: Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that separates seeds from fiber.
   • 1834: Cyrus McCormick patented the McCormick reaper, a grain harvesting machine.
   • 1837: John Deere invented the steel plow, which was stronger, sharper, and more efficient.
   • 1842: Joseph Dart invented and built the first grain elevator, a wooden structure with buckets used to load and unload ships.
   • 1873: Silos, structures that store grain, came into use.
   • 1874: Glidden barbed wire, an inexpensive fencing used for livestock on rangeland, was patented.
   • 1884: The horse-drawn combine, used to harvest wheat, came into use on West Coast farms.
   • 1892: The first gasoline tractor was built by John Froelich.
   • 1959: The mechanical tomato harvester, used to harvest, sort, and load tomatoes, was developed.
   • 1980: Farmers began using computers to manage farm operations and monitor weather conditions.
   • 1992: The first automatic milking system was installed on dairy farms in the Netherlands.
   • 1994: Farmers began using satellite technology to track and plan their farming practices.
   • 1999: The modern concept of vertical farming was proposed by Columbia University professor Dickson Despommier.
   • 2003: Farm equipment manufacturers install GPS systems in tractors.
   • 2012: The first self-driving, autonomous tractor was unveiled at the Big Iron Farm Show in North Dakota.
   • 2015: Software, mobile devices, and data revolutionize farming potential.
   • 2016: Widespread use of drone technology by farmers.
   • 2021: Harvesting equipment becomes even more specialized.
   • Today: Progress in agricultural technology continues.

Activity 2: Robot Farm

1. Read the book The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Robot Farm by Gabe Polt aloud to the class.
2. Ask the students to identify the different types of technology being used on the research farm. Make a list on the board.
   • Self-driving Tractors
   • Robots
   • Drones
   • Lasers
3. Organize the class into four groups. Assign each group one of the agricultural technologies from the list.
4. Pass out a blank piece of paper to each student, and have each group watch the video below that corresponds with the technology they were assigned. Encourage the students to take notes on their blank paper describing the technology and its uses on the farm.
   • Self-driving Tractors: Self-driving Tractors Sow the Seeds for High-tech Farming
   • Robots: Agrobot Automates the Work of Berry Harvesting
   • Drones: Drones and the Future of Farming
   • Lasers: This Laser is Keeping Crops Safe
5. Have the students work individually to create a "3/4 Book" about the technology their group was assigned. To create the book, fold a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper in half horizontally, then fold it in half horizontally again. Open the second fold, and cut up the the middle of the inside fold to form two tabs. Raise the left hand tab and cut it off along the top fold line. Number the left side of the book page 1, the right top tab page two, and the right side under the tab page 3. Have the students complete the book by following the instructions below:
   • Write the title (type of technology) on the cover of the book.
   • Draw a picture of the technology on page 1.
   • Describe the technology on page 2.
   • List the agricultural uses of the technology on page 3.
6. Organize the students into new groups of four students. Each group should include one student expert representing each of the four technologies researched. In the groups, have each student contribute information about their assigned technology by sharing their book.

Activity 3: Farm Scenarios

1. Watch the Agricultural Engineers video to discover what agricultural engineers do and what types of problems they are trying to solve.
2. Arrange students into groups of 4-5. Give each group one of the Farming Challenges cards so that at least two different groups have the same scenario. Ask the groups to work as agricultural engineers to propose a solution for their challenge.
3. Provide each group with poster paper. Have the groups draw a picture/diagram of their technology or invention on the poster paper.
4. Invite each group to share their challenge and propose their solution with the class.
5. Discuss the proposals, pointing out that there can be more than one solution to a problem, and that, typically, an idea must be tested and revised several times before it is successful. Even when ideas are not successful, much can be learned from the process. Use the following questions to guide the discussion:
   • How were the different solution proposals for the same challenge similar or different?
   • What are the pros and cons of the proposed solutions?
   • What types of technology (robots, drones, lasers, etc.) were utilized in the proposed solutions?