The Agriscience/Intro to Agriculture course helps students acquire a broad understanding of a variety of agricultural areas, develop an awareness of the many career opportunities in agriculture, participate in occupationally relevant experiences, and work cooperatively with a group to develop and expand leadership abilities. Students study California agriculture, agricultural business, agricultural technologies, natural resources, and animal, plant, and soil sciences.

Biodiversity, a term first coined in 1980 by ecologist, E.O. Wilson, describes the variety of species, genetic variabilityamongst individuals within each species, the variety of ecosystems, and the function of energy and matter flow andcycling through a community. Biodiversity is a relative term, comparing one ecosystem to another, and can bemeasured through a variety of methods.In today’s lab, you will use the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index to describe biodiversity in different areas along a trail,comparing the biodiversity at the trails edge versus the biodiversity of a less disturbed area, inside the habitat. Thediversity index (H) is measured on a scale from 0.0 (indicating no diversity) to 4.0 (indicating infinite diversity). Thisindex value (H) takes into consideration species richness and abundance.

 Students will create a sustainable ecosystem and observe the process of carbon cycling and photosynthesis using time lapse cameras.

In this series of videos, NC Virtual educator, Brandi, presents on a series of Biology topics with the aid of a light board to present key concepts to students.Standards alignment for each video is included in each video title.Standards and topics include: Bio 2.1 (Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification)Bio 2.2.1 (Air Pollution)Bio 3.1.2 (Transcription and Translation)Bio 3.3 (Characteristics of Living Things)Bio 3.4.2 (Natural Selection)Bio 3.4.3 (Antibiotic/Pesticide Resistance)Bio 3.5.1 (Dichotomous Keys)

Understand how humans can have a positive or negative impact on the environment.

This is a .pdf of a formative assessment activity where students illustrate biotic and abiotic features of a forest ecosystem.

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and the world around them. Ecology also provides information about the benefits of ecosystems and how we can use Earth’s resources in ways that leave the environment healthy for future generations. The many specialties within ecology provide us with information to better understand the world around us. This information also can help us improve our environment, manage our natural resources, and protect human health.

I utilize screen cast o matic for many videos in my Biology sections. I enjoy providing visual aids for to teach food chains. 

Plant and Soil Science covers topics such as plant classification, physiology, reproduction, plant breeding, biotechnology, and pathology. Students will learn about soil management, water, pests, and equipment as well as cultural and harvest practices.

This unit is under construction and should be ready by January 2019. Some of the materials for this unit will be taken from the former Unit 4 (Ecosystems Matter and Energy) but will also contain new material. Here is some of the source material that will be in the new unit when we get to it.