Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix
Search Result(s)
Lesson Plans (23)
A Closer Look at Fats (Grades 6-8)
This lesson describes the role of fats in food and in the body, and how they serve as a source of energy. It provides information on different types of fats that are listed on the Nutrition Facts label – including total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat—and defines trans fat and cholesterol. The lesson also includes dietary guidance for fat consumption. Grades 6-8
A Closer Look at Fats (Grades 9-12)
This lesson describes the role of fats in food and in the body, and how they serve as a source of energy. It provides information on different types of fats that are listed on the Nutrition Facts label – including total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat—and defines trans fat and cholesterol. The lesson also includes dietary guidance for fat consumption. Grades 9-12
Algaculture and Biofuel
Students will use the scientific method to learn about the growth properties of algae and how algae production may be a possible solution to address the global energy crisis. Students will utilize the engineering design process to apply their knowledge about algae growth to create a bioreactor for algae production and discover if biofuel can be made from algae. Grades 9-12
Beef Basics
Students explain the value of the beef cattle industry, including the products cattle produce, the production process from farm to plate, and how cattle can utilize and obtain energy from grass and other forage. Grades 3-5
Energy Bar Exploration
Through project-based learning, students will develop, market, and brand a healthy energy bar and packaging to be sold to a target audience. Grades 6-8
Energy and Biofuels (Grades 6-8)
Students explore the process of fermentation in the creation of ethanol and observe the role enzymes play in the fermentation of starch. Grades 6-8
Energy and Biofuels (Grades 9-12)
Through a series of activities, students explore fermentation and ethanol production, observe the role of enzymes in fermentation, analyze nutrient values of dent corn, and discover how biofuels are made from plant oils. Grades 9-12
Energy and the Commodity Trace-back
In this lesson students will describe the domestic food supply chain and identify the use and types of energy involved in the growth, harvest, processing, transportation, and marketing of an agricultural commodity. Grades 9-12
Energy's Journey from Farm to You
Students discover how plants use energy from the sun to change air and water into matter needed for growth. Using dairy cows as an example, students investigate how animals obtain energy from the plants they eat to produce milk for human consumption. Further exploration is facilitated by a live virtual visit to a dairy farm or the option of viewing a pre-recorded virtual dairy farm tour. Grades 3-5
Farming for Energy
Students identify renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and investigate how farms can produce renewable energy. Grades 3-5
Fermentation of Honey
This lesson explains the processes of cellular respiration and fermentation and how it applies to the production and processing of honey. Grades 9-12
FoodMASTER Middle: Energy Balance
Students will identify the importance of a healthy diet, examine how to meet current Dietary Guidelines, and determine the potential energy (kilocalories) of a peanut through measurements obtained during teacher use of a bomb calorimeter. Students will make comparisons to the actual Nutrition Fact Label and identify possible sources of error. Grades 6-8
FoodMASTER Middle: Sugar
Students will learn the concept of simple carbohydrates (sugar) in the diet and their role in providing energy to the body, compare saturated sugar solutions, and evaluate the sugar content of common beverages and sugar consumption within their own diet. Grades 6-8
FoodMASTER: Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Students discover how animals utilize nutrients and energy from food humans cannot digest and convert it to meat, a food rich in zinc, iron, and protein. Students examine how hamburger is formulated for leanness, compare two kinds of hotdogs, and investigate about fish. Grades 3-5
Fueling Up for a Career in Biofuel
Students will recognize the importance of fuel energy and the fact that agriculture can produce biofuel; students will identify career opportunities in the biofuel industry. Grades 6-8
Made to Move (Grades 3-5)
Students use simple machines to examine the relationships between force and motion, complete a science journal, and participate in group activities to demonstrate the use of simple machines. Grades 3-5
Natural and Managed Ecosystems
Students compare the differences between natural and managed ecosystems and describe ways in which farmers can protect agricultural ecosystems. Grades 3-5
Nutrition Across the Lifespan
Students will trace the energy and nutrition requirements of the human lifecycle from beginning to end and identify the physical and cognitive growth happening in each phase of life. Grades 9-12
Photosynthesis and You
Students identify the process used by plants make their own food and discover how photosynthesis provides the food they eat. Grades K-2
Photosynthesis: Energy's Journey From Farm to You
Explore photosynthesis to discover how plants obtain energy from the sun and then continue following energy's path to see how energy can flow through ecosystems to ultimately provide food for humans. Grades 6-8
Pig Power: Creating Biogas and Renewable Energy
After exploring the science of energy and energy conversion, students will evaluate some environmental impacts of hog farming and explore technologies that minimize negative human impact by creating biogas energy from animal waste. Grades 9-12
Sun, to Moo, to You!
Students investigate the transfer of energy in the process of making milk, discover that there are different forms of energy, determine that living things need energy to survive, and identify the sun as the primary source of energy. Grades 3-5
The Remarkable Ruminant
In this lesson, students will follow the farm to fork process of producing beef, learn how cattle and other ruminants convert grass into nutrient-rich foods such as milk and meat, discover ways cattle recycle food waste, and identify careers in the beef cattle industry. Grades 6-8
Companion Resources (18)
Activity
Burn a Peanut- Count Calories
Eat & Move O-Matic
Edible Plant Game
Lab Investigation: Biodiesel
Book
Clarabelle
Energy Island
My Family's Farm Book Series
Sun in My Tummy
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Booklet/Reader
Farming for Energy e-magazine
Food and Farm Facts Junior Booklet
Kids' Lab Activity Book
Kit
Solar Power Kit
Wind Power Kit
Movie/Video
SupraSensor Could be Super Tool for Precision Agriculture
The Chloroplast video
World Population History
Website
Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Renewable Energy, and the Environment
This report describes projected job opportunities for U.S. college graduates in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system for the years 2020-2025. It highlights areas where graduating students are most likely to find jobs. The publication also describes factors that are driving trends in the job market, as well as characteristics of students graduating from U.S. Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. Visit the website or download the printable PDF.