Welcome to the Foundations in AFNR & STEM Careers course! The course serves as a hands-on survey and introduction to AFNR fields, technology, and the skills and competencies within the industry. The course focuses on the development of real world projects that students can use to demonstrate their AFNR and STEM skills.
This intro course will focus on the past, present and future of America’s agriculture industry and the impact technology continues to make. Students will explore the seven AFNR sub-clusters. Students will also research career and college opportunities in each area of the sub-clusters featured throughout the course.
This course is typically bundled with the Technical Skills in Agribusiness & AFNR and Capstone Course: Applications of AFNR courses.
- MODULE 0: Getting Started with the AFNR Course
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MODULE 1: What is AFNR?
- Introduction to AFNR
- ACTIVITY: Consumer Connections to AFNR
- History of Agriculture
- ACTIVITY: Ag History Timeline Student Timeline Cards
- VIDEO: FARMLAND Documentary
- ACTIVITY: Video Reflection on "FARMLAND"
- STEM Skills in AFNR
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Farm Tool Takeover
- Module 1 - Skills Check
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MODULE 1: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- READING: "History of American Farm Labor"
- READING: "Overview of Agriculture"
- READING: "When Farmers & Foragers Met"
- VIDEO: Ask a Farmer Family Farms
- VIDEO: Ask a Farmer Latinos in Agriculture
- VIDEO: Ask a Farmer Women in Agriculture
- ACTIVITY: Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Farmer?
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MODULE 2: Agribusiness Systems & Marketing
- Intro to Agribusiness
- VIDEO: Supply & Demand
- ACTIVITY: Buying & Selling Student Workbook
- ACTIVITY: Palatable Packing Student Instructions
- Types of Ag Businesses
- ACTIVITY: Global Agritourism Research Activity
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Business AgVenture
- Module 2 - Skills Check
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MODULE 2: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- ACTIVITY: Big Farm Game Input/Output
- EXPLORE: Agribusiness Systems Careers & Pathway
- VIDEO: Community Supported Agriculture in WY
- VIDEO: Specialty Crops & Agritourism Focus
- READING: "Food Labels & Excess Food Waste"
- READING: "Looks Matter! Media & Food Marketing"
- READING: "Teen Honey Business Create a Buzz"
- READING: "What Does It Take to Earn a Living on the Farm?"
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MODULE 3: Animal Systems
- Intro to Animal Systems
- ACTIVITY: Animal Husbandry & Housing Workbook
- VIDEO: Virtual Field Trip on a Dairy Farm Operation
- ACTIVITY: Bovine Behavior Instructions & Printables
- VIDEO: Livestock & Poultry Housing on Modern Farms
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Livestock Livin'
- Module 3 - Skills Check
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MODULE 3: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- ACTIVITY: Virtual Field Trips Request a Trip
- ACTIVITY: Virtual Field Trips YouTube Video Playlist
- EXPLORE: Animal System Careers & Pathway
- VIDEO: Getting Started with SketchUp Design Tools
- READING - AI on the Dairy Farm & Cow "Fitbits"
- READING - Goat Behavior & Human Expressions
- READING - McDonald's Moves to Cage-Free Eggs
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MODULE 4: Biotechnology
- Intro to Biotechnology
- ACTIVITY: Ag Biotechnology & GMOs Student Workbook
- VIDEO: The Case for Engineering Our Food
- ACTIVITY: Debunkin' Biotech Student Instructions
- EXPLORE: Biotechnology Virtual Field Trip at Syngenta
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: GMO Debate
- Module 4 - Skills Check
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MODULE 4: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- EXPLORE: Careers in Ag Biotechnology
- EXPLORE: How Biotechnology is Being Used in Modern Ag
- READING - An Overview on GMOs & Engineered Food
- READING - Benefits & Risks of Biotechnology
- READING - Cotton Candy Grapes Capture Consumers
- READING - Engineering Animal-Free Milk with DNA
- READING - Pros & Cons of Labeling GMOs
- READING - Using Science to Improve Produce
- VIDEO: Biotechnology Can Be Beautiful
- VIDEO: What is Genetically Modified Food?
- VIDEO: Why Do We Need GM Chickens?
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MODULE 5: Food Production & Processing
- Intro to Food Production
- EXPLORE: Food Industry Virtual Field Trip at Cargill
- ACTIVITY: Food Production Student Workbook
- VIDEO: Tossed Out - Food Waste in America
- ACTIVITY: Nutritious Nuggets Instructions & Printables
- AFNR + STEM Challenge:Smart Snacks
- Module 5 - Skills Check
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MODULE 5: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- ACTIVITY: Food Security Game
- EXPLORE: Food Systems Careers & Pathway
- READING - Chefbots & Food Industry Automation
- READING - Defining 'Healthy' in the Food Industry
- READING - DNA Scans Could Ensure Food Safety
- READING - Eating Local Attracts Consumers
- READING - Preventing Food Waste with Labels
- READING - Would You Eat Food Made From Trash?
- VIDEO: Food Preservation & Microorganisms
- VIDEO: Designing a New Food Product for Consumption
- VIDEO: Takeout Creates Trash, But It Doesn't Have To
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MODULE 6: Natural Resources & Environmental Services
- Intro to Natural Resources & Environmental Systems
- VIDEO: Conserving Natural Resources in Agriculture
- ACTIVITY: Natural Resources Student Workbook
- ACTIVITY: Feeding the World in 2050 Game Workbook
- VIDEO: Future of Food Farming with Climate Change
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Washed Away
- Module 6 - Skills Check
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MODULE 6: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- EXPLORE: Natural Resource Systems Careers
- READING - Consumer Choices & Environmental Impact
- READING - Cutting the Beef to Feed the World
- READING - McDonald's Tackles Greenhouse Gases
- READING - Treating Our Soil Like Dirt
- READING - What is Sustainability?
- VIDEO: Food for the Future
- VIDEO: Understanding Climate-Smart Agriculture
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MODULE 7: Plant Systems & Horticulture
- Intro to Plant Systems & Horticulture
- VIDEO: Preserving the World's Seed Biodiversity
- ACTIVITY: Plant Systems Student Workbook
- VIDEO: Exploring Horticulture from Retail to Conservation
- ACTIVITY: Edible Plants Instructions & Guide
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Sow It, Grow It
- Module 7 - Skills Check
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MODULE 7: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- EXPLORE: Plant Systems Careers
- PLAY: "Nutrients for Life" Game
- READING - Bringing High-Tech Farming Indoors
- READING - Engineered Spuds Resistant to Disease
- READING - Growing Food That's Out of this World
- READING - Race to Preserve Madagascar's Seeds
- READING - Tackling Hunger with Plants
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MODULE 8: Ag Power, Structure, & Technology
- Introduction to Agriculture Power & Technology
- VIDEO: The Farming Robots of Tomorrow are Here Today
- ACTIVITY: Video Reflection on "Farming Robots..."
- VIDEO: I.O.T. Powering the Future of Digital Farming
- ACTIVITY: Precision Irrigation Instructions & Reflection
- AFNR + STEM Challenge: Printin' Parts
- Module 8 - Skills Check
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MODULE 8: Challenge Resources & Activities
- AFNR + STEM Challenge Engineering Journal & Rubric
- ACTIVITY: "Top Crop" Play the Game
- EXPLORE: Power, Structure, & Technology Careers
- READING - Drones That Bark Like Dogs
- READING - Indoor Farming Shaking Up the Ag Industry
- READING - The Role of Drones in Modern Farming
- VIDEO: Data-Driven Farming Will Transform Agriculture
- VIDEO: Open-Source Automated Farming
- MODULE 9: SAE Project & Career Education
- MODULE REVIEW: Course Exam & Feedback
- College & Career Exploration
- Unlimited Seats
- 135+ Hours of Curriculum
- Interactive Lessons
- Activities & Assignments
- Challenge-Based Projects
- Career Explorations
- Assessments
- Teacher Resources
- PC, Mac, or Chromebook
- Internet Access with Chrome Browser
- Google Apps for Schools or Microsoft Office
- Access to YouTube, Tinkercad, & STEM Fuse Educate