Energy's Journey from Farm to You
Students discover how plants use energy from the sun to change air and water into matter needed for growth. Using dairy cows as an example, students investigate how animals obtain energy from the plants they eat to produce milk for human consumption. Further exploration is facilitated by a live virtual visit to a dairy farm or the option of viewing a pre-recorded virtual dairy farm tour.
Background
Lesson Activities
Recommended Companion Resources
Credits
Author
Rashel Clark | Dairy West
Sources
- https://outagamie.extension.wisc.edu/files/2012/10/Using-Food-Waste-as-Livestock-Feed.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030217309037#bib125
- https://ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/what-photosynthesis
- https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/healthAndWellness?item=%2Fcommon%2FhealthAndWellness%2Fconditions%2Fdiabetes%2FfoodProcess.html
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/how-cows-eat-grass
- Estimation of human-edible and inedible materials computed from the average Midwestern lactating cow ration. Thoma et al
- https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/9250/AS1180_1999.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/resources/2015-2020_Dietary_Guidelines.pdf
Standards
National Content Area Standards
- Science
- 5-PS3: Energy
- 5-PS3-1: Use models to describe that energy in animals' food (used for body repair, growth, and motion and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.
- 5-PS3: Energy