"Coursework enabled participants to have a variety of experiences that provided an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in animal science that could continue throughout their high school year," said Steve Fraze, chairman of Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications.

In addition, he said, teachers explored hands-on projects and activities to learn characteristics of animal science, and work on major projects and problems similar to those agricultural specialists faced in their careers. The CASE institutes offered at Texas Tech this summer were Agricultural Systems; and Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.

According to program officials, benefits of curriculum implementation were:

• Integration of FFA, SAE and life knowledge connections
• Alignment with national content standards
• Allow students to independently work through hands-on lessons
• Reduce stress and preparation for daily lessons
• Shift focus to instruction, rather than lesson planning

The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education was started by the National Council for Agricultural Education in 2007 to implement a national curriculum for secondary agricultural education. Program officials noted CASE equips teachers to elevate student experiences in the agricultural classroom and prepares students for success in college and careers emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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