Skip to content

Lessons

Showing 229 – 240 of 392 results
Hen with eggs on engineering plan with pencil

Hen House Engineering (Grades 9-12)

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students use the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning model to evaluate styles of housing used for hens that lay eggs. Using critical thinking and scientific investigation skills, students will compare housing styles, determine which system meets their animal welfare standards, and engineer their own hen house model to meet the needs of laying hens. This lesson covers a socioscientific issue and aims to provide students with tools to evaluate science within the context of social and economic points of view.

Energy and the Commodity Trace-back

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

In this lesson students will describe the domestic food supply chain and identify the use and types of energy involved in the growth, harvest, processing, transportation, and marketing of an agricultural commodity.

Shopping cart with food and various food labels

Looking Under the Label

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students evaluate food package labels, determine their meaning, and use the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning model to determine the value of the label in relation to food production practices, nutrition, health, and food safety. Students will engage in critical thinking to recognize the impact of food package labels in relation to marketing, consumer perceptions of food, and farming practices.

Enzymes and Bacteria are Whey Cool!

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students study the science of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria to explore the phenomena, "Why does each variety of cheese taste different when the ingredients are the same?"

two burgers with fixings and buns

A Tale of Two Burgers: Beef and Plant-based Protein

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students compare the components of beef and plant-based burgers by determining the production and processing methods of each product; evaluate the ingredients and nutritional differences between beef and plant-based products; and discuss different points of view in the agricultural industry concerning plant-based proteins and traditional beef. This lesson covers a socioscientific issue and aims to provide students with tools to evaluate science within the context of social and economic points of view.

carton of milk with series of test tubes

Blue's the Clue: Souring Milk for Science (Grades 9-12)

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

This lab introduces students to the effect temperature has on reducing and controlling the growth of bacteria. Students will use conventionally pasteurized and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk to observe how different temperatures (hot, room temperature, cool, and freezing) affect the growth of spoilage bacteria. They will also learn about the importance of pasteurization in keeping food safe.

Double the Muscle: Probabilities and Pedigrees

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

This lesson allows students to apply the concept of Mendelian genetics and learn about the double muscling trait found in cattle. Students will apply their knowledge of genetics and Punnett squares to calculate the probability of genotypes and use a pedigree chart.

Strawberry Breeding and Genetics

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students learn about DNA by extracting it from strawberries. Students also analyze the similarities and differences of their extraction process to those on Genetic Engineering: The Journey of a Gene. Students learn how genetic testing (including DNA extraction) is useful in breeding new varieties of strawberries.

Design 'Y'er Genes

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

This lesson introduces students to the relationships between chromosomes, genes, and DNA molecules. Using the example of a strawberry, it also provides activities that clearly show how changes in the DNA of an organism, either naturally or artificially, can cause changes.

Silky Genes

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students will simulate the process of gene splicing, understand the application of transgenic organisms in agriculture, and see how goats can be used for the production of goods other than meat and milk through the use of biotechnology.

Farmland

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students will view the 2014 film Farmland, a documentary spotlighting six farmers and ranchers in the United States. The film portrays the business and lifestyle of a variety of farmers and ranchers. Perspectives on topics such as bioengineered (GMO) crops, animal welfare, organic and conventional farming practices, farm size, farming stereotypes, and more are presented.

Growing a Nation Era 5a: Growing Technology

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students will be introduced to technologies currently used on farms by engaging in an AppQuest to discover how farmers use mobile apps to manage farm production systems, marketing options, and make timely decisions.