Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Course Title:	Exploration of Agriscience
Course Type:	Orientation/Exploratory
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Secondary – Middle School	
Course Number	8100210	
CIP Number	01019920EX	
Grade Level	6-8	
Course Length	Semester	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Course Structure section.	
CTSO	FFA	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose 

The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource career cluster.  The content includes but is not limited to agricultural literacy, importance of agriculture, the role of science, math, reading, writing, geography, history, and technology in agriculture, plants and animals, and sources of consumer goods from agriculture. Reinforcement of academic skills occurs through classroom instruction and applied laboratory procedures.  Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Course Structure

The length of this course is one semester. It may be offered for two semesters when appropriate. When offered for one semester, it is recommended that it be at the exploratory level and more in-depth when offered for two semesters. Planned and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) must be provided through one or more of the following:  (1) foundational career exploration, (2) directed laboratory experience, (3) project ownership/entrepreneurship, (4) cooperative education/internship, (5) School Based Enterprise, or (6) Service Learning.

To teach the course(s) listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the course structure:

Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
8100210	Exploration of Agriscience	AGRICULTUR 1 @2
AGRICUTUR 7G
EXP AG @4
MG General Science 025	Semester	

Standards

After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Explain the evolution of agriculture.
02.0	Apply knowledge and skills in plant sciences.
03.0	Apply knowledge and skills in Forestry. 
04.0	Apply knowledge and skills in animal sciences.
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge and skills in food science.
06.0	Apply knowledge and skills in biotechnology.
07.0	Apply knowledge and skills in processing and marketing.
08.0	Apply knowledge and skills in natural resources.
09.0	Apply leadership and communication skills.
10.0	Integrate the use of science, mathematics, reading, geography, history, writing, and communication in agriscience and technology.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Exploration of Agriscience 
Course Number: 	8100210
Course Length:	Semester

Course Description:

This course is designed for students that have already covered the basic introduction to agriculture. This course is designed to provide instruction that explores the tasks, training, education and physical requirements of a broad range of agriscience and natural resources careers develop competencies in the areas of agricultural literacy, importance of agriculture, the role of science, math, reading, writing, geography, history, and technology in agriculture, plants and animals, and sources of consumer goods from agriculture. During the semester/ year students will take a more in depth look into plants, animals, natural resources, and food science as they learn more about our food system.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
01.0	Explain the evolution of agriculture. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Define agriculture.	
01.02	Identify and research opportunities in agriculture and its related fields through a Foundational SAE.	
01.03	Explain how commodities have diversified in Florida.	
02.0	Apply knowledge and skills in plant sciences. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Produce an agricultural plant. 	
02.02	Discuss the technology involved in the development of improved crops. 	
02.03	Identify agribusinesses that provide supplies and services to plant science industries in the state.	
02.04	Identify the recommended uses and safety precautions from a pesticide label. 	
02.05	Discuss basic landscape design. 	
02.06	Identify pests, pathogens, parasites, and predators of horticultural and agronomic crops. 	
02.07	Describe the major components of soil. 	
02.08	Demonstrate how to read a fertilizer label	
02.09	Describe various forms of fertilizer and proper application method.	
03.0	Apply knowledge and skills in Forestry. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify the major forest regions of the United States and Florida. 	
03.02	Describe the importance of forests and forest products. 	
03.03	Describe how trees grow, reproduce, and components of forest health. 	
03.04	Describe tools and techniques common to the forest industry. 	
03.05	 Identify pests, pathogens, parasites, and predators of forests.	
04.0	Apply knowledge and skills in animal sciences. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Describe the differences between animal welfare and animal rights. 	
04.02	Discuss the technology involved in the development of improved animal products. 	
04.03	Identify important breeds of livestock.	
04.04	Identify agribusinesses that provide supplies and services to animal science industries in the state.	
04.05	Describe the uses of livestock and their products.	
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge and skills in food science. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Demonstrate the proper handling and storage of food products from farm to plate. 	
05.02	Describe and demonstrate at least one method of food preservation. 	
05.03	Conduct a food taste test. 	
05.04	Produce and market a food product. 	
05.05	Read, interpret, and develop a food label. 	
05.06	Describe the components of a balance diet.	
05.07	Identify and compare USDA standards and grades for agricultural products.	
06.0	Apply knowledge and skills in biotechnology. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Define biotechnology. 	
06.02	Discuss current and future uses of genetic engineering. 	
06.03	Identify issues associated with biotechnology. 	
06.04	Explain the history of genetic engineering and biotechnology in agriculture.	
07.0	Apply knowledge and skills in agricultural processing and marketing. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify processing and packaging techniques used in agriculture. 	
07.02	Discuss the difference in marketing strategies between perishable and nonperishable commodities.	
07.03	Describe how processing, packaging, and marketing affects the price of an item. 	
07.04	Recognize misleading advertising. 	
07.05	Describe how competition benefits the consumer.  	
08.0	Apply knowledge and skills in natural resources. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Identify methods or practices of the conservation natural resources.	
08.02	Demonstrate a method or practice of conservation. 	
08.03	Identify major ecosystems in Florida. 	
08.04	Discuss the importance of the ecosystems to agriculture, society and each other. 	
08.05	Define Best Management Practices (BMPs) and explain their benefits to agriculture.	
09.0	Apply leadership and communication skills. The student will be able to:	
09.01	Discuss the establishment and history of the FFA organization. 	
09.02	Identify the characteristics and responsibilities of organizational leaders. 	
09.03	Identify parliamentary procedure skills during a business meeting.	
09.04	Demonstrate effective communication skills through delivery of a speech or conducting a demonstration. 	
09.05	Identify communication skills necessary for effective leadership.	
09.06	Identify state and community organizations associated with agricultural promotion.	
10.0	Integrate the use of science, mathematics, reading, geography, history, writing, and communication in agriscience and technology. The student will be able to:	
10.01	Apply basic mathematics operations to solve agricultural problems. 	
10.02	Correctly use measuring devices and utilize measurements to solve agricultural problems. 	
10.03	Apply the scientific method to solve an agricultural problem. 	
10.04	Prepare written and/or oral materials using correct English grammar.	
10.05	Identify the main idea in oral presentations and/or written materials. 	
10.06	Locate, organize, and interpret information from a variety of agricultural sources.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.ELL.SI.1

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.   For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org.

Extended Student Supervision

Because of the production and marketing cycle of the agriculture industry, this program requires individual instruction and supervision of students for the entire period beyond the 180-day school year.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

FFA is the co-curricular career and technical student organization(s) providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs. Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course. Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.