After reviewing the many products that can be made from corn and soybeans, students will create biodegradable plastic using corn and soybean ingredients. These ingredients are as simple as cornstarch and vegetable (soybean) oil!  Source: https://grownextgen.org/media/pages/curriculum/meet-the-bean/fun-and-games-with-soybeans/7e281dd28b-1565628888/biodegradable-soy-plastic.pdf

When it comes to corn, Indigenous people have long known the benefits. Host Dr. Lee Francis of Laguna Pueblo discusses the health benefits of a classic Indigenous staple food: blue corn mush. What makes blue corn blue? Why is ash added to traditional blue corn mush? What makes it so healthy?

 Corn Lab Grade Level:8th - 9thSubject: Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural ResourcesDuration: 50 minutesDOK Level: 2SAMR Level: Substitution  Indiana Standard: IAFNR-3.2 Explore the numerous possibilities for an SAE program which a student might developIAFNR-2.2 Recognize and explain the role of the FFA in the development of leadership, education, employability, communications and human relations skillsObjective: Students will complete a lab and record the results in their SAE record book with 100% accuracy. Essential Question: Can you make two different products out of the same ingredients?Procedure: Ask the students to list all the products made out of corn.Have the students get out their research notebooksPut students into groups of threeHand out the corn lab through google classroomHave the students follow normal lab procedures and complete the labMake sure to check that the pre lab has been completed before the student proceed to the labHave the students answer the lab questions in their research notebooksHave the students record the lab in their SAE record booksHave each individual student brainstorm a list of lab extensions to do next week.Product or Assessment: The students will be assessed on the lab questions answers in their research notebooks.

Poster showing several dishes made with corn, including yeast bread, corn-meal fish balls, and homemade hulled corn or lye hominy; text lists numerous corn dishes, and offers free recipes on request. Text continues: Corn meal - Hominy grits - Samp. The nation's most abundant cereal[...]Eat some corn to-day[...]for breakfast, luncheon, dinner[...]Try a wheatless meal to-morrow. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. No. c8-3810.

In this activity, students examine how to grow plants the most efficiently. They imagine that they are designing a biofuels production facility and need to know how to efficiently grow plants to use in this facility. As a means of solving this design problem, they plan a scientific experiment in which they investigate how a given variable (of their choice) affects plant growth. They then make predictions about the outcomes and record their observations after two weeks regarding the condition of the plants' stem, leaves and roots. They use these observations to guide their solution to the engineering design problem. The biological processes of photosynthesis and transpiration are briefly explained to help students make informed decisions about planning and interpreting their investigation and its results.

Poster showing a woman serving muffins, pancakes, and grits, with cannisters on the table labeled corn meal, grits, and hominy. United States Food Administration.

This is a collaborative learning activity based on the documentaries "King Corn" and "Big River" in which students explore and propose solutions to sustainability issues associated with industrial agriculture and food systems.

Awarded the NGSS Design Badge

This second grade unit on plant growth starts off with students exploring the mystery of their harvest corn, something they initially saw as decoration. The corn begins to sprout what appears to be leaves and roots. Disagreements about how the corn is growing spark a series of questions and ideas for investigations related to what is causing this growth.

This course gives an overview of integrated pest management focusing on corn and soybeans and introducing the basics of scouting, plant pathology, management of insects, diseases, and weeds, and discusses pesticides and human and environmental topics related to their use.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Nanotechnology has enabled numerous advances in communications, medicine, energy, and agriculture. But as the proliferation of nanomaterials ramps up, unintended consequences are becoming increasingly visible. A recent study examined the effects of silver nanoparticles on soils supporting the growth of maize. Findings revealed a 30% decrease in the relative abundance of members of the archaea community, which are important for nitrogen cycling in soil, vital for plant growth. Nanosilver also increased the abundance of certain possibly phytopathogenic fungi, possibly by eliminating bacteria that normally keep these harmful fungi in check. Finally, increased root growth seems unsustainable because it is probably caused by these stress factors, and not by beneficial effects. While this study was limited to relatively small, pot experiments, the findings suggest that the microbiome is an essential inclusion for studying the long-term effects of nanomaterials on the environment..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

This illustrated guide to a corn seedling (Zea mays, Monocotyledon) is designed to help students recognize and learn the plant's individual parts. Along with an explanation of monocotyledon embryos, it includes a short description of the root system and coleoptile.

Poster showing Uncle Sam and a farmer with ears of corn. Text continues: An alarming shortage exists! The quality is poor. The situation is every-where the same - very little seed can be purchased. [...] Report any surplus to your bank, which will arrange for its sale at a good price, or write to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Forms part of: Willard and Dorothy Straight Collection.

Objectives:
* Learn about Native American culture
* Introduce codependent plants (ecosystems)

Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of "Alien Corn" at the Mayan Theatre, showing a ship on the horizon and stalks of corn.

Poster showing corn products, including corn oil, cornstarch and baked goods. Caption: Corn products are plentiful. Use them in cakes, candies, puddings, and preserving, for salads, shortening, and for frying. United States Food Administration. Promotional goal: U.S. J7. 1918?

Poster showing an assortment of foods and dishes, along with corn starch, corn oil, and corn syrup. Title continues: Corn products are plentiful. Use them in cakes, candies, puddings and preserving, for salads, shortening and for frying. United States Food Administration.