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

One in four jobs in Nebraska are related to agriculture. With one of our main industries being agronomic crops, crop scouting is important to learn. This lesson will test the students' knowledge of all things pests and challenge them to identify the problem in a field. 

There are over one million species of insects in the world. Although we feel like we see millions of insects in one day in the summer, there are only 1,000 major insect species that are pests to crops. This lesson will teach students about the taxonomy of insects and have them investigate some of the biggest threats in our area.

This learning video introduces high school students to a topic they would not ordinarily study in school, biotechnology, and to different applications of biotechnology that relate to the main theme of the module - making the desert greener. After reviewing traditional methods used for manipulating plants to produce desired traits, students will learn about the methods of making transgenic plants. Dr. Ziad discusses a real world problem that is critical in his country, Jordan, where much of the land is desert. A prerequisite to this video lesson is some background in biology.

CK-12’s Life Science delivers a full course of study in the life sciences for the middle school student, relating an understanding of the history, disciplines, tools, and modern techniques of science to the exploration of cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, prokaryotes, protists,fungi, plants, animals, invertebrates, vertebrates, human biology, and ecology. This digital textbook was reviewed for its alignment with California content standards.

CK-12’s Life Science delivers a full course of study in the life sciences for the middle school student, relating an understanding of the history, disciplines, tools, and modern techniques of science to the exploration of cell biology, genetics, evolution, prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, the animal kingdom, the human body, and ecology. This digital textbook was reviewed for its alignment with California content standards.

Students will learn to calculate time required for corn to progress from one development stage to another based on the amount of heat accumulated.

This diagram and corresponding photos show stages of corn growth. Information sheet from DEKALB shows the relationship between growing degree units (GDUs) and estimated days to reach a certain growth stage of corn development can help growers make timely applications of fertilizers and pest/weed control.  

The dark reactions of photosynthesis (Calvin Cycle) are presented in this learning experience to show where these processes take place in the plant as well as the specific reactions involved.

This activity begins as a classroom investigation, but may extend to a field investigation where students will determine the effects of air temperature on seed germination. This is accomplished by developing investigative questions, recording, and analyzing data.

Students apply what they have learned about design to evaluate a floral arrangement based on the principles of balance, scale and proportion, harmony, dominance/focal point, rhythm, and unity, and elements of line, form, texture, color, and value.  Worksheet developed from a document by Nebraska AFNR educator Ashli Weinrich.

Life is full of color, but what do different colors represent? This lesson dives into the colors of the color wheel and the different color schemes. 

FlowerSchool is a free video library produced by Floral Design Institute. Education Director Leanne Kesler AIFD demonstrates several innovative floral designs in an easy to learn, step-by-step method.

Students will identify nutrient deficiencies in crops to determine plant nutrient requirements for optimum growth. Lesson plan from the New Mexico Animal, Plant, and Soil Science Lesson Plan Library.

This activity is designed for students to discover how making observations of the environment is the key to making sound predictions. Students will also learn how both positive and negative outcomes of these predictions can affect and shape future decisions.

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 activity is a guided inquiry investigation where students gather data on which soil is the best for growing plants. Student will interpret their data, and develop a conclusion from the data. The student will determine which type of soil they would like to use in the next activity of making their own terrariums. The data collected could lead to further questions, which can be investigated in some extension activities.

This series of lessons includes lectures and activities to demonstrate judging the condition of soil for a given area of land, the qualities of that soil, and identifying management actions to correct the condition if needed. 

Landscape design looks a little different to each person. Some like the landscape to be perfectly symmetrical and others like it to be fun and whimsical. This lesson focuses on the six design principles for landscape design. This lesson includes two worksheets. 

Have a grow tower? Have a green house? Have a garden? Use the Let’s Get Growing curriculum!

This curriculum is an out-of-school curriculum designed to explore food, science, engineering, technology, and innovation in plant production.

The goals of the curriculum are to take students on a journey to understand food scalability and for students to begin growing enough food to supplement a school lunch, sell at a farmer’s market, or provide to students and their families.