AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2 (1st semester only)

Grades: 9th grade only

Description:

Zip along the racetrack to agriculture! We'll make pit stops in Animal Science, Plant Science, Biotechnology, Food Science, Natural Resources, and the FFA. Apology is a shortened version of the year long Agriculture Science class. This class was designed to give the busy student a chance to see the diverse areas of agriculture in a one semester format. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1 

Grades: 9th grade only

Description:

There is more to agriculture than cows, sows and plows! In the agriculture science class, we will explore units in animals, plants, natural resources, food science, world agriculture and biotechnology. As agriculture is a very HANDS-ON topic, we will experience lab activities weekly. Some of the topics covered in the animal area include: chickens, animal anatomy identification labs, utilizing our aquaponics system, and learning basic veterinary procedures/equipment. During the plant unit, students will grow a crop of holiday poinsettia plants, make evergreen wreaths, develop terrariums to take home, grow flowers and vegetables, and design a landscape on the computer. While in the food science unit, students will make cheese, dehydrate meat for beef jerky, make various forms of candy, and prepare jam. In the natural sciences unit, we will: conduct biodiversity studies of Big Foot State Park, identify several species of trees in the park, examine endangered species and study animal tracks. If you have interest in anything outside, the food you eat, plants or animals, then agriculture science is for you. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Pizza, Apple Pie, Bratwurst, Ice Cream...Now that we have your attention, join us as we explore your favorite foods and the science that goes into making them. Learn about the unique ways foods are processed, prepared and preserved. In addition to those foods listed above, students will prepare, consume and critically evaluate various versions of salsa, fudge, sourdough bread, mozzarella cheese, yogurt, jerky, hard candy, fruit roll ups, and cakes. This class will benefit students interested in a career in the food industry, agriculture, and the general sciences. 

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in Food Science I

Credit: 1/2

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Food processing is one of the largest industries in the United States. As the industry tries to meet consumer demands, more highly knowledgeable and competently trained food technologists are needed. Students will expand their fundamentals of food science (from Food Science 1) and will conduct more in-depth experiments with various food products. Expected lab activities include: bacon curing, gluten free food product development, candy making, making dehydrated soup mixes, and cheddar cheese production. A primary focus of this class will be product creation and development. Students will be given a product to develop and will work in the food science laboratory to make the product a reality. Food science has one of the highest job placement percentages at UW-Madison and also one of the highest starting salaries. If you like a real-life application of food and science concepts, this class is for you! 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1/2 or 1

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Gain career employability, biotechnology, and food science skills without having to leave high school! This internship in biotechnology and food science assists in gaining career skills needed to be successful after high school and achieve maximum success in the future. Learn how to use microorganisms in food science, create cultures, run gel electrophoresis, and gain skills for your future career through this independent study program. 

Prerequisite: Biology

Credit: 1/2 honors

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Do you like the television show CSI? Want to learn more about the use of biotech in crime scene investigations? Then, this class is for you. Starting with the basics of cells and DNA, students will have the opportunity to spool their own DNA, clone plants through tissue culture, investigate genetically modified plants, as well as address important issues such as gene therapy, genetically modified foods, stem cell research, and the use of DNA profiling. If you are interested in one of these fast growing fields through a career in biotechnology, medicine, or forensic science then this advanced class will benefit you. 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1/2 or 1

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Gain career employability, biotechnology, and food science skills without having to leave high school! This internship in biotechnology and food science assists in gaining career skills needed to be successful after high school and achieve maximum success in the future. Learn how to use microorganisms in food science, create cultures, run gel electrophoresis, and gain skills for your future career through this independent study program. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Come join us as we explore the Great Outdoors! This class is designed for students who have an interest in an outdoor career (such as a game warden) and for those who enjoy recreation such as hunting, bird-watching, fishing, and other nature-wildlife related activities. This is an active, outdoor class with numerous block days spent at Big Foot State Park and other local areas of conservation. Some class highlights include: fish taxidermy, wolf population studies, deer biology, building bird houses, making duck decoys and developing fish lures. 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1/2 or 1

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Gain career employability and environmental / sustainability skills without having to leave high school! This internship is environmental studies and assists in gaining career skills needed to be successful after high school and achieve maximum success in the future. Assist in research within the local environmental community, complete an industry certification program that can be used on resumes, and gain skills for your future career through this independent study program. Prior Agricultural Science courses and instructor approval required. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Got pets? This one semester class will cover the care of dogs, cats, horses and other small animals. Students will learn various needs of companion animals including: housing and equipment, safety, handling, reproduction, feeding and disease ailments for each type of animal. Hands-on experiences in veterinary practices such as learning to trim animal nails and observing animal vital signs are among the numerous laboratory experiences in this class. Additional activities on pet ownership will also be experienced. This course will help students prepare for careers in the veterinary and animal science field and will benefit anyone who owns a pet. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1 

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

On land or in the sea, what species could it be? In Animal Science and Aquaculture class, we will study both mammals on the land and various aquatic species grown for food purposes. In this class, students will utilize over 1000 gallons of aquaculture tanks to grow tilapia and blue gills. Animal Science students will study the anatomy, genetics, nutrition, health, management and selection of various large animals that are raised for food purposes. Students will learn the science behind the animal’s body systems through various weekly hands-on laboratory activities. This class will assist the student interested in veterinary, vet-tech, medical or other biological careers. 

Prerequisite: Biology, Agriculture Sciences, or Agology class with a grade of C or better

Credit: 1/2 honors

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

The course provides and advanced paced, college leveled knowledge course in animal science. Topics include animal health, animal environments, anatomy and phsyiology, genetics and reproduction, animal feedstuffs, and job related animal systems and safety. Participants will experience animal concepts through the completion of hands-on activities. Ideal for students with a strong understanding in animal science, career plans in animal science, veterinary or medical fields. Students completing this course will be enrolled in a college credit with Blackhawk Technical College with agreements in place for other college institutions. All students will be required to use the college level Blackboard system for curriculum in this course. 

Blackhawk Technical College Class: Intro to Animal Science (3 credits) 

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in Biology, Animal Science, or Honors Animal Science

Credit: 1 honors

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

The hip bone's connected to the what bone? In this year-long class, students will journey from the animal’s nose to the tip of its tail studying the systems, muscles, tissues, organs and bones along the way. In addition, students will have the chance to practice veterinary techniques and gain valuable experience through hands-on laboratory exercises while learning about potential careers. If you like to work with animals and are thinking about entering an animal field, or even a medical field then this class is for you! 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1/2 or 1

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Gain career employability, animal, aquaculture, sales, and marketing skills without having to leave the high school. This internship in animal science assists in gaining career skills needed to be successful after high school and achieve maximum success in the future. Learn how to properly care and maintain animals, create a marketing plan for the aquaculture lab, raise various fish, test water quality, and gain skills for your future career through this independent study program. 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2 honors

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Venus fly traps, black roses, the corpse flower, purple carrots, yellow raspberries...What do these all have in common? Join us in Plant Science and explore the diverse and crazy world of plants and find out the answer to this question! Be prepared to work in the greenhouse environment every week. In this one semester course students will receive practical HANDS-ON lab experiences in all aspects of plant science. In the lab experiences you will clone plants, learn the art and science of bonsai trees (you get to keep one), do plant genetics studies, make a floral design for a holiday, grow houseplants for your home, graft a vegetable or fruit plant, identify nearly 50 species of plants found around our campus, and grow unusual plants of the world such as coffee, olives or Venus Flytraps! Among the high paying and/or high demand career options in plant science are: lawn grounds-keepers (for a professional organization like the Brewers), golf course managers or designers, soil scientists, greenhouse managers, organic vegetable or herb growers, urban foresters, and plant genetics researchers. 

Gateway Technical College Class: Intro to Horticulture (3 credits) / Soils & Plant Nutrition (1 credit) 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2 honors

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

FORE! Jump in the cart as we head down the Landscape Design fairway. In this class students will be introduced to the elements of home and commercial landscaping. After learning the basic techniques, students will make use of the computer in designing landscapes using state of the art software used in the industry today. Students will also utilize the digital camera to take pictures of their home and develop a landscape plan. In addition to design, students will acquire knowledge of various trees and shrubs used in a Wisconsin landscape plan. The final class activity will be to design a 3-D golf fairway and green. Anyone interested in plants, drafting or designing their own home landscape would benefit from this class. 

Gateway Technical College Class: Sustainable Landscape (1 credit) 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2 honors

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

Growing lettuce in a warehouse, rooftop gardens, and backyard chickens; this is the future of sustainability. Feeding the world’s ever-increasing urban populations presents both significant challenges and surprising opportunities. As cities continue to grow, millions of individuals, families, and governments are turning to forms of urban agriculture to help meet their food security needs. Urban agriculture practices involve the growing, processing, and distribution of food and other products through intensive plant cultivation and sustainability. Learn more about urban agricultural science through hands-on learning growing produce in the greenhouses, community gardens, local community, and even your own home backyard. Topics include worm composting, aquaculture, gardening, local foods, backyard bees, carbon footprints, and further investigations in the food supply. 

Gateway Technical College Class: Plants, Pests, & Beneficials (1 credit) / Vegetable Science (3 credits) 

Prerequisite: NONE

Credit: 1/2 honors (2nd semester only)

Grades: 10th - 12th Grade

Description:

It’s a jungle out there in our 70 degree plant paradise! In this one semester course offered in the spring only, students will learn the basics of growing plants in a greenhouse environment. Students should expect a majority of their time to be spent in the school’s two greenhouses learning planting techniques, management skills and operation of a computer controlled greenhouse. Over 80 types of annuals and perennials are raised, which adds up to over 600 flats grown, managed and sold by the students in this class. Additionally, students will learn the identification of the above crops, pest management and marketing of horticultural crops. 

Gateway Technical College Class: Greenhouse Crops (3 credits) 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1/2 or 1

Grades: 11th - 12th Grade

Description:

Gain career employability, greenhouse, sales, and marketing skills without having to leave the high school! This internship in horticulture assists in gaining career skills needed to be successful after high school and achieve maximum success in the future. Learn how a greenhouse business operates, create marketing plans for plant sales, care and maintain for various plants, and gain skills for your future career through this independent study program. 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Credit: 1

Grades: 9th - 12th Grade

Description:

Welcome to this inclusive agriscience course.  This is an enriching journey through the world of agriscience designed to accommodate the diverse strengths and perspectives of all students, irrespective of their abilities.  This year-long course offers an immersive experience where students can explore the fundamentals of agriscience, engage in practical learning, and foster a sense of community within the realm of agriscience.