Agriscience extends beyond the scene many of us paint in our minds when we hear anything related to agriculture, a farmer and acres of crops or animals at pasture. Agriscience not only, delves into aspects of biology and chemistry that tie back into agriculture (i.e. Plant Science, Animal Science, Soil Science, Environmental Science, etc.), but also encompasses agribusiness, agricultural technology/engineering, biotechnology, food manufacturing, and many more related disciplines.
In this class we will cover and study many aspects related to Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources and take it a step further to understand the science and future of these fields. Students will also have the option to participate in our schools FFA chapter, where they can build technical and leadership skills while having opportunities to compete on the local and national level in categories of their choosing. The National FFA Organization is a nationally recognized and respected student organization just for students enrolled in agricultural education programs like this one. Students will also receive hands-on work based learning in a agriscience discipline of their choosing which they will grow over their time in the program. This Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) will prepare students for career and college paths whether or not they stay in the realm of agriscience.
The need for trained professionals in the many disciplines of agriscience is growing every year as the global population grows and agricultural demands increase. This generation has the unique opportunity to enter this field as this pivotal moment and help redirect agriscience to a new and exciting direction while helping the world at the same time.
Agronomist
Food Scientist
Veterinarian
Florist
Agricultural Engineer/Programmer
Biotechnologist
Conservationist
Check Out Many More Options: https://agexplorer.ffa.org/career/
Hello I'm Mr. Ryan the Agriscience teacher at Piscataway Magnet School! Before becoming a teacher I worked in entomology (the study of insects) for pharmaceuticals and food processing facilities across Central NJ. I also have experience in beekeeping, turfgrass management, floriculture, plant biology, agriculture sensor technology and biotechnology. I am also an alumni of Rutgers University - School of Environmental & Biological Sciences. I've worked and had experience in many fields related to agriscience since I was in high school, which is what made me want to become a teacher. Agriscience is filled with many different subfields that you can delve into and explore. I've also seen firsthand the need for agricultural literacy and technical knowledge in our next generation. It is my goal I can help grow the next future agriculturalists or even those in other industries, but with a greater appreciation for agriscience.
Students in the Agriscience program at Piscataway Magnet School have the option to graduate our school with college credits via articulation agreements with Rutgers University & Delaware Valley University!
9th Grade: Introduction to Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
10th Grade: Plant Science
11th Grade: Food Science & Safety
12th Grade: Animal & Plant Biotechnology
Please note that in addition to the standard curriculum courses above, students will also have the option to learn skills around coding/sensor technology, business principles, and floral design that will be introduced into the 4 year curriculum, but not full year courses.
Please see below information to learn about how your learner can get the most out of their agricultural education even if their desired career is not centered in agriscience.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Despite the above courses, agriscience encompasses much more than is feasibly teachable in one program across 4 years. As such, agricultural education utilizes the National FFA Organization and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) to help students maximize the skills and knowledge they can acquire in high school. The wonderful aspect of FFA and SAEs is that it revolves around the students choice and interest rather than that of the instructor or the program limitations. Students and encouraged required to conduct hands-on experience via the FFA and SAE in order to build relevant skills that correlate to specific agriscience fields the student is interested in.
For example, a student interested in computer science or engineering in relation to agriscience can not only conduct an SAE project all 4 years on building real sensor technology applicable in agriculture, but also continue this at the FFA Agriscience Fair on a state and national level. SAEs are independent while being mentored by the instructor to help answer questions and help ensure it is done optimally and safely. Another student with a completely different interest in the same class, such as animal care, can share information on their SAEs with their class mates and in turn learn from one another to build better project experiences. Now that student working on sensors can collaborate and create sensors or help adapt AI to assist in animal care based on another students information from their SAE. Agriculture education is centered on the student and making the most out of their time in and out of the classroom.
This program embodies that belief and as such students are strongly encouraged to pursue their personal interest in relation to curriculum and delve further into aspects of agriscience that may be left out of courses for one reason or another. Any way the instructor can assist in making this program more advantageous towards a student's goals and academic achievements is seriously considered. If materials or software need to be acquired to help a student's journey in agriscience then that will be done within reason. Agriscience is so much more than just farming, and the student's education should reflect that. Therefore, the students goals are considered constantly to ensure the program meets their and the school's needs to make sure students are ready for the career they seek even if it isn't directly in the realm of agriscience.