How can technology benefit agriculture in society?
Science
Let’s talk genetics! Genetic technologies have the potential to change society in big ways. What benefits do advances in genetics offer? What are the potential pitfalls? This project was all about discussion. Discussion is an essential practice in science. Students used discussions to put together their ideas about science. They also used discussions to decide how science and technology should be used in the world. In this project, students engaged in multiple types of discussions to consider how genetic technologies can and should be used. Students examined advances in genetics as they prepared for and engaged in a Socratic discussion about the application of these technologies. The final product was a Socratic discussion between students.
Students discussed a variety of topics related to genetic technologies in agriculture throughout the project such as:
Cloning dolly (successfully cloning a sheep)
Dog evolution (through artificial selection)
Roundup-ready (soybeans genetically modified to withstand Roundup)
GM Salmon (Salmon modified to grow twice as fast)
Bt corn (corn modified to defend itself from caterpillars, reducing the use of pesticides)
Golden Rice (rice modified to produce Vitamin A for people in poorer countries)
GM Mosquitos (mosquitos modified to not be able to reproduce in hopes of reducing mosquito populations which should slow the spread of disease)
De-Extincting the Wooly Mammoth (discussions behind the possibility of bringing back extinct species to help balance ecosystems)
Below are various students' notes and arguments used during discussions throughout the project.
English
Students conducted research about the history of the agricultural product they've chosen.
Students researched the economic impact of that agriculture product in the state of Idaho.
Students found different technological advances that have change (or will change) the industry.
History
In History, we worked to connect the history of Codes and values to how businesses and products use values in their products being sold to the public. The students chose topics and created PSA's about businesses or products that represent values that they admire.
Students worked to create PSA's on products or companies that produce goods that match the companies values.
Students worked to create PSA's on products or companies that produce goods that match the companies values.
Math 2020-21
After researching the amount plastic water bottles humans use per year, the width of the bottles and the circumference of the earth, the students calculated the amount of times these bottles would circulate the earth if lined up side by side.
The students used the ideas of Hydroponics and drew 3D pictures of their vertical Gardens and then made 3D Models to scale.
Scaled Drawing and 3D Model
