Current Ag Classes at El Molino High School
2018-2019
Chemistry and Agriscience (Ag Chem):
1st and 2nd Period
Grade 10-12 Physical Science
Prerequisite: Completion of Ag Bio or Lab Bio.
This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural nature of soil as well practices. Students examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. Students develop soil management plan for agricultural producers, demonstrating their knowledge of the soil chemistry content learned throughout the course.
Biology and Sustainable Agriculture (Ag Bio):
3rd and 5th Period
Grade 9-12 Laboratory or Life Science
No prerequisite.
Sustainable Agriculture is a one year course designed to integrate biological science practices and knowledge into the practice of sustainable agriculture. The course is organized into four major sections, or units, each with a guiding question. Unit one addresses the question, What is sustainable agriculture? Unit two, sustainable agriculture fit into our environment? Unit three, What molecular biology principles guide sustainable agriculture? Unit four, How do we make decisions to maximize sustainable agricultural practices within a functioning ecosystem? Within each unit specific life science principles will be identified with agricultural principles and practices guiding the acquisition of this knowledge, culminating in the development of a sustainable farm model and portfolio of supporting student research.
Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture- UC Honors (Advanced Ag):
6th Period
Grade 11-12 Physical Science
Prerequisite: Completion of two previous years of agriculture courses.
This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using skills and principles learned in the course, students design systems and experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry. Additionally, students will connect the products created in this class with industry activities to link real world encounters and implement skills demanded by both colleges and careers. The course culminates with an agriscience experimental research project in which students design and conduct an experiment to solve a relevant issue. Final projects will be eligible for Career Development Event competition at FFA events.
1st and 2nd Period
Grade 10-12 Physical Science
Prerequisite: Completion of Ag Bio or Lab Bio.
This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural nature of soil as well practices. Students examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. Students develop soil management plan for agricultural producers, demonstrating their knowledge of the soil chemistry content learned throughout the course.
Biology and Sustainable Agriculture (Ag Bio):
3rd and 5th Period
Grade 9-12 Laboratory or Life Science
No prerequisite.
Sustainable Agriculture is a one year course designed to integrate biological science practices and knowledge into the practice of sustainable agriculture. The course is organized into four major sections, or units, each with a guiding question. Unit one addresses the question, What is sustainable agriculture? Unit two, sustainable agriculture fit into our environment? Unit three, What molecular biology principles guide sustainable agriculture? Unit four, How do we make decisions to maximize sustainable agricultural practices within a functioning ecosystem? Within each unit specific life science principles will be identified with agricultural principles and practices guiding the acquisition of this knowledge, culminating in the development of a sustainable farm model and portfolio of supporting student research.
Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture- UC Honors (Advanced Ag):
6th Period
Grade 11-12 Physical Science
Prerequisite: Completion of two previous years of agriculture courses.
This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using skills and principles learned in the course, students design systems and experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry. Additionally, students will connect the products created in this class with industry activities to link real world encounters and implement skills demanded by both colleges and careers. The course culminates with an agriscience experimental research project in which students design and conduct an experiment to solve a relevant issue. Final projects will be eligible for Career Development Event competition at FFA events.
The North Coast Agriculture Partners (NCAP) grant consortium is a newly formed partnership of 16 local high school districts, two community colleges, and over 50 major business industry partners organized and dedicated to helping students become college and career ready. El Molino High School is one the fortunate high schools selected to partner with NCAP. By being a recipient of this grant, El Molino will be able to build the ag department by creating a three course pathway designed for those students who intend to pursue a future in agriculture Students would enter the pathway as a Freshman or Sophomore and continue the pathway through their Junior or Senior year. In 2016, the first of the three courses in the pathway was implemented: Biology and Sustainable Agriculture. In 2017, Chemistry and Agriscience was added, and this year the third and final course, Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture will be implemented. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity for our students and their futures.