Agriculture - Exploring Sustainable Farming & Food Production Practices

Agriculture - Exploring Sustainable Farming & Food Production Practices

#MakerMondaySTEMx

Agriculture is so much more than growing crops or raising animals. Farmers use critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative technology in order to meet our nation’s growing demand for more food.  


Today, your challenge is to design and prototype a greenhouse that can protect a plant within your home.  


Step 1: Watch this video to understand how modern technology is used in agriculture.


Step 2: Read more about greenhouses on Kiddle.


Step 3: Brainstorm how you could create your own version of a mini greenhouse with items you have available at your house. Use the Engineering Design Process Guide to help you plan out your ideas and make improvements.


Step 4: Plant a seed or small plant in your greenhouse, water it, and place it in a sunny spot. Observe your greenhouse each day for one week and record your findings in a notebook. If it didn’t grow, make some improvement and test again!


Step 5: Ask your parents to share a picture of your greenhouse design on social media using #MakerMondaySTEMx!


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#WonderWednesdaySTEMx

Did you know that astronauts have been growing vegetables on the International Space Station for years? Traditional gardening methods are not suited for space. Crew members use the hydroponic method of gardening to grow a variety of vegetables.




Step 1: Find out more about hydroponic gardening in space by watching this video. How will space gardening improve space exploration?


Step 2: Watch this video to learn more about the benefits of growing plants in space. 


Step 3: Explore this website to learn how you can make your own hydroponic system using common household items. You can use any seeds that you have.


Step 4: Make a list of the many benefits of using hydroponics in space and jot them down in your Da Vinci Notebook. 


Step 5: Ask your parents to share what you’ve learned on social media using #WonderWednesdaySTEMx!


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#FutureFridaySTEMx

Careers in the field of agriculture are often inter-connected with one another as different organizations work to sustainably provide food for the communities they serve. To help provide this nutrient-rich food to people in a sustainable and responsible way, dairy farmers partner with experts in their community such as veterinarians, nutritionists and technologists. 


Step 1: Take a virtual tour of Undeniably Dairy. How do farmers contribute to sustainable food systems? What technology is being used by the farm?


Step 2: Create a “farm web” to help you understand agriculture and where the items you use every day come from. You will need some floor space to work, and you will need to print these farm web graphics.


Step 3: Start with the farm picture in the center. Then decide which pictures need to go closest to the farm and work your way to the end products that come from a farm.


Step 4: You can mix up your pictures and try this activity with a sibling or friend. Tell them what you learned about dairy farming.


Step 5: Ask a family member to share a picture of your farm web on social media using #FutureFridayTN and #LearningInPlaceTN!


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