Project AGGIE

A WebQuest for 9th-12th Grade Agriscience students at Ponchatoula High School

Designed by

Alice DuBois
adubois@i-55.com

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

   Agricultural knowledge among the general public has fallen to an all time low. When elementary students were asked the question, "Where do eggs come from?", many answered, "The grocery store!".
   You have been chosen to be a member of the team for Project AGGIE (Agriscience students Giving Guidance In Education). Your mission is to increase the agricultural literacy of third graders.
 



The Task

   As your part of the mission, you will create an original, hands-on educational activity about the agriculture topic of your choice. The top twelve activities will be used for AGGIE Day, our agricultural literacy outreach to the third grade at D. C. Reeves Elementary. Each of these activities will have its' own booth for the day. 

   You may use any method or materials that you would prefer to use in order to create and teach your activity. The sites and topics listed are only some suggested topics to spur you on in your creative efforts. (Remember, you are going to be teaching third graders, so activities like games are always a big hit!)

Good luck! 
 

The Process

***You will work in groups of two. Read all steps of the process before you work through the steps.

Step One
Your first step is to brainstorm and choose the agricultural topic that you want the students to learn about. After you choose the general topic (example:forestry), then you must narrow your activity down to the concepts that you will focus your activity on  (example:forestry-Why do leaves change color in the Fall?). Keep this in mind as you search.

The following is a list of general agriculture topics with related web sites. You may use this list to help you decide on a topic or come up with one that is not on the list. Be sure that you check in with Ms D for approval of a topic that is not on this list.

Agriscience

Agriculture - Home Page 
Farming Industry - Home Page 
Biology - Home Page 
VCE Information Resources Menu 
The National Agricultural Library Homepage 
LearnAgriculture 
List of Agricultural Web Sites 
Links Library 
Hot Links and Cool Sites 
USDA's Home Page 
USDA HOMEPAGE 
ASAE - Agricultural/Biological/Environmental Links 
Oakcrest Ag Sciences 
AGRINET Agriculture Farm Equipment for Sale 

Horticulture

plant science(seeds, leaves, photosynthesis, etc.), butterfly gardens, herbs, flowers, gardening 
 
Botany - Home Page 
Bonsai - Brussels Bonsai Nursery - Bonsai Trees, Pots, Tools, Gifts 
Landscaping - Home Page 
Gardening - Home Page 
Education 
Welcome To Gardener's Supply Company 
Southern Perrinials and herbs 
Purdue Agronomy On-Line! 

Alternative Farming

Sustainable & Alternative Farming

recycling, composting, organic farming, hunger issues, land resources, beneficial insects, bees, soil science 
 
AFSIC: Topics of Current Interest 
American Farmland Trust 
WRI Education Center 
http://www.bu.aust.com/tft/ 
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center 
Agri Alternatives Online 
Sustainable Agriculture Network Homepage 
UC Sustainable Research and Education Program 
New Page 3 
Organic Production - Table of Contents 
FarmStart 
The Food Alliance (TFA) 
Sustainable Farming Connection -- Home 

Animal Science

swine, sheep, goats, horses, beef and dairy cattle, poultry
 
Department of Animal Science - Oklahoma State University 

Aquaculture

crawfish, shrimp, shellfish, fish, alligators, water gardens, ponds, hydroponics, marine life
 
Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) Home Page 
AFSIC: Aquaculture Resources 
MSU-ES Aquaculture Resources 
Extension: Search Results: "aquaculture" (Page 4) 

Environmental Ed

wildlife conservation, wetlands, butterflies
 
Ecology - Home Page 
Environment - Home Page 
Environmental Education Network 
WRI Powerpoint slides, presentations 
EE Link 
Classroom Resources -- Activities 

Forestry

Internet Links 
Forestry - Home Page 
Extension Forest Resources - Publications on the Web 
Växjö Katedralskola: How to start 

Agribusiness

Main Page for Agribiz.com 
AGRI-BUSINESS ASSISTANT © 

Biotechnology or Genetics

Biotech/Biomedical Industry - Home Page from About.com 
Genetics - Home Page 
Genetics - Home Page 
Information Systems for Biotechnology 

AGGIE Resources

Science/Nature for Kids - Home Page 
Better Homes and Gardens - cooking / recipes / gardening / decorating / home repair / remodeling / landscaping / maintenance / quick / easy / tips - Better Homes & Gardens 
Kids and Classrooms Main Page 
NGA: Feature Articles List 

Reference

Ask Jeeves! 
ExpertCentral.com. A new way to get answers from real Experts! 
About.com Weather 
AgriNet - Texas A&M University 
AgriGator * Worldwide Agricultural SITE INDEX 
Better Homes and Gardens Online: Home Improvement Encyclopedia 
The Agriculture Web Ring 
OCES's Guide to Agricultural Web Sites - New URLs 
The World Wide Web Virtual Library: Agriculture 
Agricultural Economics Virtual Library 
USDA History Collection, Home page/Index 
Country Studies: Area Handbook Series (Library of Congress / Federal Research Division) 
USDA'S Agriculture Fact Book 1998 
CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 
The National Agricultural Library 
Encyberpedia 
Time Magazine 
Webster Search Form 
WWWebster Dictionary 

Search Engines/Reference Sites

Search Engines for Agriculture 
About.com - The network of sites led by expert guides. 
Google 

teacher resources

Cool Science Resources 
Step Two
   Now that you have chosen your topic, you must decide exactly what it is that you want the kids to learn and how you will teach it. Try to keep it simple and fun. Think about how you like to learn and then use that to guide you as you create your activity.
   The criteria is simple:
  1. The activity can take no longer than 4 minutes to work through with the students.
  2. The activity should be designed to be done by 10 or less students.
  3. The activity must actively involve the students in some way.


****Any props or materials that you need to carry out your activity can  be supplied to you by the Agriscience Department. Don't limit your imagination... THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!!!
 

Step Three
  You will turn in a written step by step description of your activity with a list of necessary materials you will use to create any props,experiments, etc. Also include sketches of how you invision your booth looking and a rough copy of any posters or signs that you will use.
 

Step Four
You will present a mock run through of your activity to the class for a presentation grade and so that the class can vote for the 12 most effective booths for AGGIE Day. 

Evaluation
Groups will be graded according to the following rubric. Each part will be graded on a scale of 0-30 points. All members of the group will receive the same grade. 
 
Beginning

0

Developing

10

Accomplished

20

Exemplary

30

Score
   Step 1 

Choosing the activity topic
and
objective

Topic and/or objective not agriculture related.
   
Topic and objectives are agriculture related.
 
Step 2

Following the Criteria









 

Only one of the  criteria was met.
Two of the criteria were met.
All three of the criteria were met.
All three of the criteria were met and the activity is very creative and engaging.
 
Step 3

Activity Plan Description









 

No written description. 
Incomplete description turned in.
Complete description but materials list or sketches missing.
Complete description with materials list and sketches included.
 
 Step Four

Activity Presentation

Presentation not given.
Basic presentation given but obviously unenthuiastic and lacks creativity. 
Basic presentation reflects thought and given with enthuiasm.
Presentation given that reflects much thought, enthuiasm and creativity.
 


Conclusion

It is hoped that this WebQuest will not only provide some outstanding activities to make this year's AGGIE Day the best ever, but that you also had fun and learned something about an agriculture topic that interests you.

You make an incredible difference in the lives of many children not only by teaching them about agriscience,but by being the most awesome leaders and role models that you can be.

Congratulations on your hard work PHS Agriscience students...

YOU ARE THE BEST!
 



Credits & References
 
 


Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page