Agriscience

The goal of this module is to introduce students to sustainable agriculture models through improving soil health. Classes will investigate local farmers and the role they play in producing sustainable food all while combating climate change. Students are to draw relationships between human population, food production, and decline of soil health. Students will learn the fundamentals of soils and how to analyze soil health properties. They will end the unit by creating a project to prototype and communicate a solution.

Increased human population leads to a greater need for increased quantities of food and fiber production. This demand to feed up to 10 billion people results in an increase of conventional farming methods and results in an overall decline of soil health. The agriculture industry is making small shifts to a more sustainable farming model called regenerative agriculture to mitigate carbon emissions through carbon capture and improve soil health.  

Module Overview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11CgwvYAwJIu2oy6k94LnvXvmAuyR8poUB8XDmBS3SkY/edit?usp=sharing 

For the lessons that include slide decks, please make sure you check the notes at the bottom of individual slides for instructional recommendations and suggestions. 

As an introductory lesson to the unit, students will be introduced to the relationship between human population and food availability through the “Food Security” game. Students will participate in an interactive model/game on a stagnant food supply and an increasing population. This lesson will transition into the next lesson in the sequence by drawing relationships and analyzing data on projected human population growth in 2050 and current food supply/production.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iJCBN8mBnyt1XdVobUmcCJ5NA2-IsuLs/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107055176330110601533&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xo9AOOjrTBz_phh6O6lOcO9I0eYtYgSpJXUn1b-3jms/edit?usp=sharing 

Food Security Student Table: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eKNvKm2gcDZScJdCFxeykRUHyKPem-hlq9XW7LkyHCA/edit?usp=sharing 

Food Security Game Directions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BpnExKuRqOQUhpo5xx0N1-hv1LQbcgENty8-KwUqSxE/edit?usp=sharing 

Game Data Collection Handout

As an introductory lesson to the unit, students will be introduced to the relationship between human population and food availability through the “Oh Humans” game. Students will follow the introductory lesson with text sets and draw connections between limited food production and a growing global population. 

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pgvyPZWf8iGrZXB8vcYRHcm73JQ9Qkx_bINipMkaGHM/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: None

Human population and food graph analysis directions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1izR0Kjfn3qWl_80U3gG0loDINXE9vf0J4li3TdOZY1A/edit?usp=sharing 

This is an introduction lesson for soil. The lesson focuses on the type of tests students can use to describe the characteristics of soil. These tests will later be used in the module to determine soil health and to measure how human use impacts soil health.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fiA3I95zfjv4Y_Dee5u-jyCgHCeWBZ4daw_N_liXbYY/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aMOjKH8SadmvfbaxmGQmGGvReqNzBm4wEayc0zUsTXA/edit?usp=sharing 

Soil has both biotic (living) and abiotic (non living) parts to it. We often do not think about soil as a thriving ecosystem, but healthy soil is! In the lesson, students will explore soil from different samples to find and discover different living things among it! Students will learn about what biodiversity is, as well as biotic and abiotic. They will observe and create a list and make scientific illustrations of living things that they find in soil. Students will do a pair/share, and as a class, the teacher will then make a list of what was discovered. This may include fungi, invertebrates, and bacteria. 

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wFb_PLfmtoSn2zy1GebJoqZZjVKG4uDwz2V4DiP1a_Y/edit# 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E0cEm5zMP06jq0cmVjyzLKr6Nut4WQvD/edit#slide=id.p1 

Soil Life Handout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kufayukqTw5BWXMUgcJwtNKWVtR227mq/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107055176330110601533&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Biodiversity in Soil: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vnh1kTJ19rG5NeJoTlNRaYDGQPkwtwpQ/edit

In this lesson, students will focus on the importance of soil health. This lesson takes all soil properties learned in previous lessons and applied to how soil can be used to combat climate change. Students will learn about carbon emissions and carbon sequestration through a lecture and webquest. This lesson will be the final fundamental lesson and sets the scene as students move into the first problem cycle lesson.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BIEGrPVj7mb55e7fbFecCPw282_OdvB9WQiTUOxngQM/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zsOsFe-5YfbYwhVgKhwq4ltTjKmRLmGWC3EjcMVxwa0/edit?usp=sharing 

World’s Top Emitters Interactive

SOIL QUEST 

After learning about the basics of population growth and characteristics of soil, students will be introduced to one problem of soil: soil fertility lost to runoff. Students will test the amount of soil in water samples by using a secchi disc. Then, they will try to identify what type of agriculture practices may impact the amount of sediment lost due to runoff.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vSRvliMInaRbYpIoReHDVqfBYAntI33AGNV8feFiWy0/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FbG_eZ24hGoGdrPB_dlqtJiTK0RM9yhYyPOEpEMMqb4/edit?usp=sharing 

Data Sheet for Erosion Impact on Soil: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UO0lZPB7DVFEac2XUmic1R011AIMkBGWEcTUz3h869I/edit?usp=sharing 

Students will be making connections between the food we eat, grow, and where plants get their nutrients from. Students will sample some fruits and vegetables, then look at specific examples of commonly grown agricultural & the impact those plants have on soil. They will arrange those crops from “Depletes nutrients in soil after growing TO Replaces nutrients in soil after growing”. This lesson should build on the fundamental lessons from last week, as students will now make connections between soil health and vegetative practices in the agricultural field. They will reflect on agricultural techniques at the end of the lesson.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WHnThsRbs3BAuKdhjKMEV8gSCd1nsosysOyuRsOf-0Q/edit#heading=h.kczfsxa7whps

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pODlQ-YgjTfbRYQRHJ4ZLowTMT7oU7r2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107055176330110601533&rtpof=true&sd=true 

How Food is Grown Today (Monocropping): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dg99UIi3JVyGgEl9MYyz9_xgT7uc3Zj3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107055176330110601533&rtpof=true&sd=true 

In this lesson, students will continue to expand on their knowledge of the different factors that can harm or improve soil health. Students will focus on how livestock has an impact on soil health and how ranchers can properly manage their herds to improve soil health. This lesson will lead into human impact and how it has an effect on soil health.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-vV4PBXeA6TkHzD7ZRaReq4kGkhcZ_ZRPSDWGeDH7U/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EpF2kNixC3r-K66W-hmWeaqPGnuhEHMZbDqjzoWq38c/edit?usp=sharing 

This lesson is very similar to the soil test activity in the fundamental phase. In this lesson, students will be performing the soil tests on different locations at their school site. As they perform the tests and collect data, they should be making connections between the type of human activity that occurs at the site and the quality of the soil. Students may decide to use these sites during the solutionary phase.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A-f0QTHW_Nb80xmtiEib61a63MipcUKxxrsMITG8MSs/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FFKHN5XkaZUYMuCEnpt_032pw_BFPqf4RuW5JA-owTc/edit?usp=sharing 

Human Impact and Soil Health Data Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bLexpwUwsYBEYwIu89c2c2M3HR19915UV7lak6OkslA/edit?usp=sharing 

Students will review definitions of the agricultural practices they have studied, either directly or indirectly throughout the unit thus far. After reviewing definitions, they will then explore the farms and ranches around the bay area to see what regenerative agricultural practices are being done in some of the local farms. Students will take notes on these farms, as this data will help them out later on.

Lesson Plan:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KPymLS5wf8sJ2ZEERfaDjAo_Bn6jcQhfIEmieoORgpc/edit#heading=h.kczfsxa7whps

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1asNNern9bC4RjYMzqyTT5azzqBd6oILEapuXZf9wQCU/edit#slide=id.p  

Pictures and Definitions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzGOiCkwNZifzvi5zF7jacieS_Qa-2fN/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107055176330110601533&rtpof=true&sd=true  

Explore the Farms: https://www.thesanfranciscopeninsula.com/fresh-as-it-gets/local-farms/

In this lesson, students are designing a solution to the problem of the unit (the reduction of soil fertility due to human use). Students will review some of the major problems that were investigated during the unit. Then, students will review some of the solutions being implemented in the agricultural industry. Finally, students will use the design process to create a solution that can be implemented in their local environment.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TxYPUzjNgFEqLkB0VO7YjsI0PPnwlK342PkFW_SqAMo/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ye95YqKiYyM_W4JDiUE3eZdE3vZFRnach6bXenQyzCE/edit?usp=sharing 

In this lesson, students are rating their solutions to the problem of the unit (the reduction of soil fertility due to human use). Students will create criteria and constraints to rate their 3 ideas they came up with, and help them choose which project they will be working on.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10fwxjKBUniZK6Mys_u3m3PWSBFaTK_0bWkvXqn2Gd38/edit#heading=h.kczfsxa7whps

Slide Deck Day 1: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17OSdt4pbqyWr_p-PWk4kG4dS1ZV4NdFLP6EO4J1xYyU/edit#slide=id.p

Slide Deck Day 2: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16Yl23yqb6ZFTaSIP30w2BfrP1HH7D59UTuPHKnsyvWA/edit#slide=id.p

Project Checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XQDpOUuA3wiVcWW7e7TDpn3MNRmuc45tQF5v84j-VF0/edit?usp=sharing (not available)

Criteria and Constraints: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RALmTauYEAkhakVSdaltBfzY9kWEc7Y-5M2Cz_viB5w/edit?usp=sharing 

In this lesson, students will end the solutions portion of the unit through their project presentations. Students will share their findings and final products to the class. After their presentations, students will talk with their project groups, reflect on how they think you did on their Soil Solutions Project. This lesson will lead into the final lesson of the unit where students will finish their project reflection and create an action plan on how to improve local soils. 

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sc16BqKPEsUNvWf4KcgruAoPsBAygmA1HWWauay66AQ/edit?usp=sharing 

In the last lesson in the unit, students will reflect on all they have learned in this unit. Students will create an action plan on how you can advance regenerative agriculture in their community and improve soil health. Students will add specific action items they can achieve in their home/community to improve local soils. 

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uwKyd8EpOEeThNAGg6Ouso3pXVHinIiu04n1LUx38B0/edit?usp=sharing 

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NbJtCSrzLYCnxlo8EH2dmbESailRbB_lj5neaj9mRd8/edit?usp=sharing 

Soil Solutions Project: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cpp8RhkLZRb_4TDJFXWkLLAlUMN5R7CYdDYT08Iswwc/edit?usp=sharing