Ag CSI

Overview

Ag CSI: Agricultural Career Science Investigation

This experiential-learning career development event is designed as a classroom activity to emphasize career exploration and integration of academics. Learning activities will focus on: agricultural literacy, career exploration, personal development, and integration of academics. Participation in this activity is also designed to fulfill the SAE component of middle school FFA membership.

District and State

10 minutes

Rules

• Participants must be middle school FFA members {grades seven and eight}.

• A team will consist of four to six students.

• The scenario used for the event will be on a rotational basis as follows:

  • 2021: Growing Food Under the Ocean

  • 2022: Growing Food in an Extremely Dry Environment

  • 2023: Growing Food on Mars

• Each team will have all team members select a specific agriscience career for each team member to role-play based on the scenario. Each team member must select different agriscience career.

• Each team member will conduct a job-shadow/interview of a person employed in the agricultural industry:

  • Complete the one page "Job Shadow" Worksheet and include it with the written report

• Each member will conduct a career profile of any agricultural related career:

  • Complete the career profile utilizing the template provided

  • All questions on career profile must be answered

  • Type written format is strongly encouraged

• Each team will prepare up to a research proposal in a concise bulleted outline format describing the team's plans to address the scenario:

  • Cover page is optional

  • Typed, double spaced up to three pages for written report

  • Ten or twelve pt font

  • One inch minimum page margins

  • Bibliography, in APA format, attached to the back of the proposal, no page limit

• At registration, each team will present one manila envelope that contains:

  • Three printed copies of the research proposal with attached bibliography

  • Three sets of "Job Profile" Worksheet

  • Three sets of "Career Profile" Worksheets

• Each team member may choose to role-play their research career during the final presentation.

• Each team will deliver up to ten minute presentation outlining why your team should be selected. Teams should utilize audio visual aids to enhance the presention {this may include but is not limited to}:

  • Models

  • Props

  • A/V

• A time card will be shown at:

  • 8 minutes {2 minutes remaining}.

• The presentation will conclude at ten minutes.

• At the conclusion of the presentation, members should prepare to receive and answer questions from the judges {5 minutes}.

• FFA Chapters may enter multiple teams at the District Level.

• At District level, it is permissible to deliver the written materials to registration the day of the event. Written materials will be returned following the District Event. Materials for the advancing teams may be revised.

• Written materials of advancing chapter must be postmarked to the FFA Enrichment Center seven business days following the District event.

• The judges in each District shall designate the top two teams to compete in the State Event. The judges shall also name an alternate.

• At State Leadership Conference {SLC} an A/V car with power and a screen will be provided.

• The judges at the State level shall designate the top three teams. The judges shall name a champion, an alternate, and a third place team.