This course aims to increase understanding and knowledge of our food and fiber system, giving a starting point for students to explore pathways and occupations related to the agriculture industry, and gain hands-on experience learning basic agricultural practices. This curriculum, designed for eighth-graders, is intended to be student-led and inquiry-based.  Written by Emma Sunderman; Ice Cream in a Bag Lesson Plan by Caleb tenBensel; other activities developed and curated by Nebraska AFNR educators

This lesson offers learners the opportunity to understand the importance of nutrition in the livestock industry and the differences between species in terms of anatomy, physiology, and nutrient requirements and/or deficiencies. This represents a portion of the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) series in Nebraska middle and high school agricultural education.  

This lesson presents an overview of the role of genetics, breeding, and reproduction in animal agriculture. Learners will become familiar with fundamentals of genetics, complete a Punnett square, understand phenotypes and genotypes, identify parts of reproductive systems, and discuss breeding systems used in the animal industry. This represents a portion of the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) series in Nebraska middle and high school agricultural education.

This is a lesson that can be used to teach beginning Introduction to Agriculture students about the types of drugs we administer to animals. Students then get to complete a hands-on lab activity where they learn about and demonstrate four types of injections.

This presentation shows images of animal organs to aid in identification. Accessed in 2022 from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Cover photo by Creab Mcselvin via Unsplash.

In this lesson, students will discover how to administer three different types of injections (Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and Intravenous) though a hand-on activity. Students will use actual syringes and needles to administer medication to their animal (hamburger buns in a sandwich bag). Along with the injection lab students will learn the difference between medications and vaccinations, and why they are both important!

There are a lot of different views on issues in animal agriculture. This lesson investigates the sustainability of animal agriculture and how you can be a good steward of animal agriculture. This lesson includes lecture, reflection, and current events in animal agriculture and leads into discussion on Temple Grandin. 

3 modules describing on a very elementary level how to read a feed test, how to understand what animals need in their diet for nutrients, and how to balance a simple cattle ration using hay and silage.

The uses of animals in biotechnology are expansive, and many times overlooked.  This lesson will have students exploring the wide range of uses of animals in biotechnology and formulating an opinion about the uses of animals in biotechnology.

Part 4 Nutritional Unit for Animal Science. This lesson goes over Pearson's Square and calculating feed amounts. AFNR.HS.2.2.a Demonstrate management techniques that ensure animal welfare.AFNR.HS.2.2.b Analyze procedures to ensure that animal products are safe for consumption. 

 Beef External Parts Grade Level: 9th - 12thSubject: Animal ScienceDuration: 50 minutesDOK Level:  1SAMR Level: SubstitutionIndiana Standard: AS-1.2 Describe the functions of the animal body systems and system componentsObjective: Students will be able to identify the given body parts of cattle with 100% accuracy. Procedure: Present the slide show External Parts BeefStop at slide 1Have the students use the internet to find the names of the identified partsHandout a paper copy of slide 1Check that all students have identified the partsMove to slide 2Have the students name the parts as you unveil the correct namesHave the students assess google classroom to access Beef Parts IDHave the students play the game until they achieve 90% accuracyHave them screen shot the score and submit to the google classroom assignment Product or Assessment:  The students will be assessed in class. They will be given five body parts to identify. Each body part will be worth 3 points.  

Biosecurity is an essential part of maintaining a herd's health as well as the profitability of the operation. This site provides easy to use and comprehensive resources for assessing the current biosecurity protections in an operation, an example of a biosecurity plan, a template for creating a biosecurity plan, and information on communicating to stakeholders about a crisis.

 Demonstration Grade Level: 9th-12thSubject: Animal ScienceDuration: 150 minutesDOK Level: 4SAMR Level: Substitution Indiana Standard: AS-11.1 Acquire and demonstrate communication skills such as writing, public speaking, and listening while refining oral, written, and verbal skillsObjective: Students will demonstrate a skill learned over the semester with 98% accuracy. Procedure: Show the video How to give a demonstration?Have a class discussion of topic ideas and expectationsAnswer questionsHave the students create a brainstorming list of four ideasAllow the students class time to complete their demonstrationGive the Demonstration Project Guide and Rubric  through google classroomHave students present their demonstrations to the classProduct or Assessment: Students will be assessed on their presentation with the provided rubric and brainstorming sheet.

The goal of this activity is to demystify the science behind Punnett Squares and explore data and statistical representations in genetics and heredity. Begin by breeding two parent mice and observe the ratios in the pie chart as more offspring are bred in each litter. Compare the ratios between different pairs of parents and identify how they are different or similar. Finally, use the simulation controls to show gametes and reveal how each offspring obtained its genotype from its parents.

What do you need to know to diagnose parasites? These slides introduce methods for identifying parasites by shape and size, number of legs, sex, and where found in the host animal or environment. Accessed 2022 from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences PEER Program site.

This lesson explains directional terminology used to describe the positions of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body. Learners will apply directional terminology by dissecting a three-dimensional object. Lesson developed from original resource by Bobbi D. Dittmer.

This lesson plan explores many ways animals help and support people including providing food, clothing, companionship, and service, as well as secondary benefits like soil conservation and fertility, and stabilizing farm businesses with diversification of risk. Lesson plan from the New Mexico Animal, Plant, and Soil Science Lesson Plan Library.

This activity will check students’ understanding of the swine ear-notching system of livestock identification. Credit @whiteoakffa and Sarah Nerswick

In this lesson, students will investigate the different aspects of the poultry industry. Through a stations activity, they will define poultry terminology, anatomical names, feed calculations, breeds and different types of commercial bird housing.