El Centro FFA - Course Descriptions

AG Recruitment Video

Check out the link above to learn about the Agricultural courses provided at Southwest High School!

Plant And Soil Science

This course is designed to provide students with theories and principles of Agriculture and Plant and soil Science through “hands-on” learning. Utilizing our greenhouse and school garden we are able to expand learning beyond the traditional classroom and textbook and spend much more time learning biology concepts through experiential laboratory lessons. Students will become proficient in academic foundation standards, agriculture career standards (including CDE Agriculture and Natural Resource standards and Plant and Soil Science standards), and biology standards. Laboratory investigations/experimentation, reports, and data are held to rigorous standards and follow the principles of the Scientific Method.

Investigations/Experiments are designed to address key concepts as well as industry standards when possible so that students are more prepared for higher education and careers in Agriculture and the Plant and soil Science industry.

As an agriculture course, lessons in this class are implemented through the three-ring model of agriculture education including leadership, laboratory, and SAE further preparing students for career readiness through hands-on learning experiences.

Agriculture Economics and Government

This course is designed to teach critical business aspects of the agriculture industry with special emphasis in sales and marketing. Topics will include economic principles, business organizations, finance and credit, agricultural sales and services and career preparation. This course is intended to successfully prepare those students who plan on majoring in Agriculture Business in college or for entry-level employment in the agriculture industry after high school.

Project-based learning will be the primary method and strategy used throughout this course. Lecture will be used for direct instruction of material related to specific standards. Group work will be used to promote team building peer teaching opportunities. Reading of primary and secondary text will be used to guide students through new material and will be used as a reference for student projects. Research will be conducted throughout the course including; library research, internet research, interviewing, and digital media. Public speaking skills will be emphasized through classroom interviews and presentations. Guest speakers from the agriculture industry will be presenting on topics such as accounting, marketing, and agribusiness management.

As an agriculture course, lessons in this class are implemented through the three ring model of agriculture education including leadership, laboratory and SAE further preparing students for career readiness through hands on learning experiences.

Ag Mechanics

This class is designed for students interested in learning more about the ag mechanical field; emphasizing hands-on learning through a series of projects in metal and woodworking, electricity, arc and gas welding, metalwork, and carpentry. As well as learning the safety procedures and how to react to hazardous situations. Advanced students design and build their projects for personal use or fair exhibits.

They are designed to meet the needs of the advanced Agricultural Mechanical Science student in individualized learning and project design. It reinforces construction skills and consumer math skills. Basic math principles are taught through a series of individualized shop projects. Students will design and build Mechanical Science projects such as livestock equipment, outdoor furniture, trailers, and truck beds.

Ag Leadership

Ag Leadership is focused on developing leaderships skills in our students where they learn to how to run meetings and conduct the room efficiently and accordingly. The leadership class is the behind the scenes of all the fun events our chapter gets to experience along with the help of our teachers.

The Ag leadership class also provides the younger members of the chapter an opportunity to be apart of the Greenhand officer team. The Greenhand officer team works alongside our chapter officers to learn more about the skills and efforts it takes to be a chapter FFA officer.

Advanced interdisciplinary Science for sustainable agriculture

Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture consists of several hands-on projects and labs that prepare students for future experiences through opportunities that are only available to those enrolled in the course. During the year, students are taken on various field trips to different organizations and businesses to gain more knowledge about agriculture and grow their background in science. Students work together to create solutions to real-world problems and use these skills to improve their performances in their everyday lives.

Animal Science

This course will provide the student with principles in Animal Science focusing on the area of mammalian production, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, nutrition, respiration, and genetics. This course is intended to successfully prepare those students who plan on majoring in Agricultural Sciences at a college or university. Frequent opportunities are given to develop and apply rational and creative thinking processes of observing, comparing, organizing, relating, inferring, applying, and communicating. Also, there is an emphasis on developing values aspirations, and attitudes that promote the student's understanding of personal involvement with the scientific discoveries of the future. Opportunities for hands-on participation with animals through livestock SAE projects enable students to demonstrate their knowledge of restraint, handling, behavior, etc. Students will better develop their communication and leadership skills through FFA involvement.

Veterinary Medical Applications

The Veterinary Medical Applications course prepares students for the certification exam endorsed by Elanco. The course provides students with a solid understanding of veterinary science and veterinary medical applications. In addition, the certification features demonstrations and materials from practicing veterinarians working with both small and large animals.

Students completing the course will:

Understand clinical terminology and veterinary terms including abbreviations and symbols relating to the diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of animals.
Analyze and identify various animal body systems and understand the purpose and function of each.
Demonstrate appropriate animal handling and animal care skills in a variety of animal behavioral situations.
Gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of vital signs, blood sampling, and injection methods in various animal species.
Apply mathematical skills needed for performing scientific calculations, interpreting data, and accurate client assessment.
Identify characteristics of healthy animals, and recognize examples of abnormalities and how they relate to associated problems and illnesses.
Understand the proper procedures used in processing blood and urine specimens, preparing microscope slides, and performing common laboratory tests.
Demonstrate the skills, protocol, and procedures involved in the pre-surgical, post-surgical, and therapeutic care of a patient.
Understand safety procedures involving the use of electronic technology, imaging equipment, and instruments found in a veterinary hospital.
Identify medications, calculate dosages, complete a prescription label, and explain the handling and distribution, protocol, and laws for controlled substances

Page updated

Report abuse