Many of my students come from farming families. They want to know the truth behind the products that they put on our food crops every year. They realize that "education is the key" behind success in agribusiness.
These students live in a rural district near a major metropolitan area.
This is not an affluent county and many hardworking families still make their living "in the field." While they maintain a "small town" sense of community, they are informed and connected through the world-wide web. They are concerned about the future of agriculture and the environment; and many go on to earn degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Animal Science. They are our future farmers and are inspired to succeed - even though our schools have little technology and even less Laboratory supplies.
My Project
This is a multi-lab inquiry.
The first series of labs will take the students into the greenhouse; where they will initially learn what nutrients (and lack thereof) do in plants.
The second series of labs will take them into the field; where they will learn what nutrients are plentiful or not in the local soils.
The third series of labs will take them through the stoichiometry and research behind the development of chemical fertilizers. These "student-created" formulas will be tested on mint plants and the results presented to the class by each "research team."
The fourth and final series of labs will lead them through an exploration of the chemistry behind water pollution.
Through this series of labs, students will learn both the benefits and hazards behind fertilizer development, use and overuse are.
They will have experience that will be useful to them in either industry or on the farm.
Our future farmers, Agricultural engineers, Agricultural chemists and Livestock researchers must be made aware that every advancement comes with potential repercussions. This will make them more conscientious as they take over the reins of industry.
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