Plant Science Classes

Students are busy this spring with a multitude of plant science projects that enhance their understanding of the plant science technology curriculum.

As part of their units in plant propagation, freshmen plant science technology students have been busy taking cuttings and planting seeds for the spring greenhouse sales at Easter and Mothers Day. Many of the students are starting plants for their own home gardens.

Sophomore students are helping with the greenhouse crops including hydrangeas, Easter lilies, and cineraria. They are also forcing azaleas, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for Easter. In addition, the sophomores have been learning the basics of plant tissue culture by preparing tissue culture media and doing subcultures of plants such as venus fly traps and orchids using sterile technique.

Junior and senior plant science students are learning how to hydroponically grow tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse. In the tissue culture lab, students are initiating new cultures of African violets and outdoor woody ornamentals. These new cultures are the basis for propagating these plants in test tubes. In the computer lab students are learning new landscape software so they can prepare detailed landscape design plans.

All students are looking forward to a March 19th field trip to the Boston Flower Show and Quincy Market.

Animal Science Classes

Introduction to Animal Science is offered to freshmen. The students are presented a wide-ranging overview of the world of animal science including understanding the contributions that animals provide to humans (particularly livestock and companion animals) and the many career opportunities within animal science. The farm tour during the first few weeks of class acquaints the freshmen to the farm and the various animals.

Sophomore students concentrate on two areas: Farm Equipment (including tractor driving) and Leadership. The leadership component deals with parliamentary procedures as the catalyst. Several skills that are developed by using parliamentary procedures are the ability to work as a team member; the ability to express your ideas and opinions in meetings and other group functions; and building self-esteem. FFA is an integral activity of Agriscience. Working as an effective team member (whether on the local, state, or national level) is an important quality developed within the class and through FFA. The Parliamentary Procedures Career Development Event (CDE) is open to all students; they will have the opportunity to compete at the district, State FFA Convention, and National FFA Convention.

Junior and senior Animal Science students are responsible for the care and management of the school farm throughout the year. Taking the “learning” to the “doing” stage is developed by taking responsibility for the care and management of rabbits, beef cows, pigs, horses, llamas and ewes. During the summer and fall, 20 turkey poults are raised to a mature size and given to a local charity.

Additionally, upper-class Animal Science curriculum includes: feeds and feeding, anatomy and physiology, understanding diseases and parasites, judging and evaluation, genetics, animal reproduction, biotechnology, resume construction, on-farm research, careers in animal science, and utilizing computers and computer programs such as excel. The Animal Science students also develop their own excel program to compile and carry out statistical analysis of the ewes and their lambs from birth to ninety days of age.

Livestock, equine, veterinary technology, dairy, food science, and agricultural communications are examples of Career Development Events (CDE) open to animal science majors.

Agriculture Mechanics is designed to provide 9th and 10th grade students with an introduction to hand and power tools in a typical agricultural setting. Skills such as measuring, cutting, drilling, sanding, fastening, project organization and shop safety are incorporated into the program. All students in the program also learn how to safely drive a tractor.

11th and 12th grade students learn how to service and maintain power tools and machines. Additionally, the safe use of a wide range of pneumatic tools is taught. CAD (Computer Aided Design) is an important segment of the curriculum, as well.

Environmental Science/Biotechnology  Classes

Natural Resources and Environmental Science

Freshmen Natural Resources and Environmental Science students learn about the seven groups of natural resources. The students also create a portfolio of careers related to the fields of Natural Resources and Environmental Science through internet research.

Upper-class agritechnology students study biotechnology as it relates to the environment. Creation of a bioreactor and the process of biodegradation are part of the curriculum. Experiments in physical chemistry and diagnostic testing of water and soil are also performed. During the second half of the year the agritechnology students study biotechnology, as it applies to genetic transfer, and the production of genetically modified organisms. Laboratory activities include DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis.