Courses Offered
Our science courses explore the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural practices. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. Each student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in extracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.
Earth Science in Agriculture
Earth Science in Agriculture is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in Agriculture. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles and practices of Earth Science as a way to demonstrate the relevance of Earth Science in Agriculture to each student’s life and environment. This class will utilize local and regional issues and concerns to stimulate problem-solving activities and to foster a sense of Earth stewardship by students in their communities. The class will establish an expanded learning environment, which incorporates fieldwork, technological access to data, and traditional classroom and laboratory activities. The course is centered around an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of all earth sciences with agricultural applications, physical science principles, and other curricular areas, including written and oral reporting skills.
Agriculture Biology
Agriculture Biology is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in agriculture. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter-relationships among the following topics: the molecular and cellular aspects of life, the chemical and structural basis of life, energetics of life, growth and reproduction in plant and animal genetics ecological relationships among plants, animals, humans and the environment, nutrition in animals, health and diseases in animals and the similarities between animals and humans. The course is centered on an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of all life science with agricultural applications, earth and physical science principles and other curricular areas, including written and oral reporting skills.
Agriculture Chemistry
Agriculture Chemistry is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in agriculture, science and technology. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter-relationships among the following topics: periodic law and trends, atomic and molecular structures, states of matter, chemical bonding, conservation of matter and stoichiometry, gases and their properties, properties of acids, bases and salts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, chemical thermodynamics, chemical reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, nuclear processes and an introduction to organic and biochemistry. The course is centered on an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of chemistry with agricultural applications, earth and life science principles and other curricular areas, including written, mathematical and oral reporting skill.
Elective Courses
Advanced Animal Science
This course will follow the current advanced agriculture science curriculum with an emphasis on advanced agriculture procedures and practices. This course is designed for vocational-technical students who require competency in all phases and types of livestock and agriculture production. Students will be involved in hands-on laboratory studies and receive an in-depth look at animal science. Hands-on experience is essential for success in this class. Students involvement will be necessary and will be incorporated by presenting many challenging practical laboratory activities and field trips.
Advanced Floral Design and Floral Design
This course is designed to allow students to apply an artistic approach to floral design. Students will explore elements and principles of design, two and three dimensional designs, history of floral art, as well as art history, and arrangement styles and techniques with seasonal, holiday and occasional designs. Students will achieve this through designing, creating, identifying, explaining, and evaluating all topics of study. The use of floral and synthetic media will allow students to achieve balance, symmetry, harmony, unity, and texture. Curriculum will include problem solving, creative thinking, interpretation, and written and verbal communication skills.
Ag Leadership and Communication
This course is designed to develop responsibility, initiative, creativity, leadership and school pride in the Agriculture program. It provides class time for the planning and organization of meetings, social and recreational events, elections, service activities, and community and other events. Students will have the opportunity to study concepts of goal development as an individual and team, the keys to success as an individual and team, character development as an individual and team, group dynamics, Parliamentary Law and Procedures, critical thinking, public speaking, personal financial management, business and how it relates to the agriculture industry, career goals and the importance of Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs and the FFA in Agricultural Education.
Agriculture Mechanics
Introduction to Agriculture Mechanics is a beginning course to the Agricultural Mechanics Program. The class covers shop safety, shop procedures and the proper use and handling of hand and power tools. Students will be introduced to all facets of the areas which make up the field of Agriculture Mechanics. The following areas which are covered in this class are as follows: measuring, tool identification, rope work, woodworking, electrification, cold metal, plumbing, arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, concrete, tool sharpening and maintenance and careers in Agriculture Mechanics.
Agriculture Welding
This is a one year course devoted to the development of welding skills and techniques used in industry. Topics for class activities are: all phases of oxygen-acetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, and an introduction to metal inert gas (MIG) welding and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, carbon arc gouging and the cutting of mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel by use of the plasma cutter. Construction of metal projects is permissible and encouraged, but only after completion of required assignments. Each students is required to purchase a pair of coveralls.
Ornamental Horticulture / Landscaping (ROP)
This course in intended to teach students entry level skills in the ornamental horticulture field. Students will learn various horticultural topics and s “hands-on” approach will be applied whenever possible. Plant identification, greenhouse practices and equipment use will be covered. Also various landscape projects including school beautification, garden construction, pruning and landscape maintenance.
Small Engines
This course is designed to develop basic knowledge and skills associated with small gas engines. Major topics to be covered include safety, principles of operation, troubleshooting, disassembly, overhaul/re-assembly, tune-up and general maintenance.
Agriculture Government and Economics
In this course students will learn basic economic principals and the historical development of the government. Topics include: macroeconomics, agriculture business organizations, agriculture credit, record keeping, record keeping, record analysis, marketing, campaigns, the Constitution, the Branches of government, and the Bill of Rights. Students will be expected to participate in work place learning experiences and interpersonal leadership skill development activities.
Earth Science in Agriculture
Earth Science in Agriculture is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in Agriculture. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles and practices of Earth Science as a way to demonstrate the relevance of Earth Science in Agriculture to each student’s life and environment. This class will utilize local and regional issues and concerns to stimulate problem-solving activities and to foster a sense of Earth stewardship by students in their communities. The class will establish an expanded learning environment, which incorporates fieldwork, technological access to data, and traditional classroom and laboratory activities. The course is centered around an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of all earth sciences with agricultural applications, physical science principles, and other curricular areas, including written and oral reporting skills.
Agriculture Biology
Agriculture Biology is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in agriculture. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter-relationships among the following topics: the molecular and cellular aspects of life, the chemical and structural basis of life, energetics of life, growth and reproduction in plant and animal genetics ecological relationships among plants, animals, humans and the environment, nutrition in animals, health and diseases in animals and the similarities between animals and humans. The course is centered on an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of all life science with agricultural applications, earth and physical science principles and other curricular areas, including written and oral reporting skills.
Agriculture Chemistry
Agriculture Chemistry is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interests in agriculture, science and technology. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter-relationships among the following topics: periodic law and trends, atomic and molecular structures, states of matter, chemical bonding, conservation of matter and stoichiometry, gases and their properties, properties of acids, bases and salts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, chemical thermodynamics, chemical reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, nuclear processes and an introduction to organic and biochemistry. The course is centered on an extensive laboratory component in order to connect the big ideas of chemistry with agricultural applications, earth and life science principles and other curricular areas, including written, mathematical and oral reporting skill.
Elective Courses
Advanced Animal Science
This course will follow the current advanced agriculture science curriculum with an emphasis on advanced agriculture procedures and practices. This course is designed for vocational-technical students who require competency in all phases and types of livestock and agriculture production. Students will be involved in hands-on laboratory studies and receive an in-depth look at animal science. Hands-on experience is essential for success in this class. Students involvement will be necessary and will be incorporated by presenting many challenging practical laboratory activities and field trips.
Advanced Floral Design and Floral Design
This course is designed to allow students to apply an artistic approach to floral design. Students will explore elements and principles of design, two and three dimensional designs, history of floral art, as well as art history, and arrangement styles and techniques with seasonal, holiday and occasional designs. Students will achieve this through designing, creating, identifying, explaining, and evaluating all topics of study. The use of floral and synthetic media will allow students to achieve balance, symmetry, harmony, unity, and texture. Curriculum will include problem solving, creative thinking, interpretation, and written and verbal communication skills.
Ag Leadership and Communication
This course is designed to develop responsibility, initiative, creativity, leadership and school pride in the Agriculture program. It provides class time for the planning and organization of meetings, social and recreational events, elections, service activities, and community and other events. Students will have the opportunity to study concepts of goal development as an individual and team, the keys to success as an individual and team, character development as an individual and team, group dynamics, Parliamentary Law and Procedures, critical thinking, public speaking, personal financial management, business and how it relates to the agriculture industry, career goals and the importance of Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs and the FFA in Agricultural Education.
Agriculture Mechanics
Introduction to Agriculture Mechanics is a beginning course to the Agricultural Mechanics Program. The class covers shop safety, shop procedures and the proper use and handling of hand and power tools. Students will be introduced to all facets of the areas which make up the field of Agriculture Mechanics. The following areas which are covered in this class are as follows: measuring, tool identification, rope work, woodworking, electrification, cold metal, plumbing, arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, concrete, tool sharpening and maintenance and careers in Agriculture Mechanics.
Agriculture Welding
This is a one year course devoted to the development of welding skills and techniques used in industry. Topics for class activities are: all phases of oxygen-acetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, and an introduction to metal inert gas (MIG) welding and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, carbon arc gouging and the cutting of mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel by use of the plasma cutter. Construction of metal projects is permissible and encouraged, but only after completion of required assignments. Each students is required to purchase a pair of coveralls.
Ornamental Horticulture / Landscaping (ROP)
This course in intended to teach students entry level skills in the ornamental horticulture field. Students will learn various horticultural topics and s “hands-on” approach will be applied whenever possible. Plant identification, greenhouse practices and equipment use will be covered. Also various landscape projects including school beautification, garden construction, pruning and landscape maintenance.
Small Engines
This course is designed to develop basic knowledge and skills associated with small gas engines. Major topics to be covered include safety, principles of operation, troubleshooting, disassembly, overhaul/re-assembly, tune-up and general maintenance.
Agriculture Government and Economics
In this course students will learn basic economic principals and the historical development of the government. Topics include: macroeconomics, agriculture business organizations, agriculture credit, record keeping, record keeping, record analysis, marketing, campaigns, the Constitution, the Branches of government, and the Bill of Rights. Students will be expected to participate in work place learning experiences and interpersonal leadership skill development activities.
