Agriscience Fair Lesson 5 – Materials and Methods
This National FFA lesson series guides students through the agriscience research process, focusing on writing the materials and methods sections of a research study in alignment with the National FFA Agriscience Fair award area. Through hands-on activities—a camping scenario and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich lab—students learn the importance of detailed, specific procedures and then develop their own materials and methods sections for their research projects.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Describe the importance of a materials section in a research study.
- Describe the importance of a methods section in a research study.
- Develop a materials section for a research study.
- Develop a methods section for a research study.
- Time required
- 90 minutes (Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the “Camping” worksheet for each student
- A copy of the “You Are the Peanut Butter to My Jelly” worksheet for each student
- A copy of the “Let’s Plan and Prepare” worksheet for each student
- Sandwich bread (2 pieces per group)
- Peanut butter (consider an alternative such as sunflower butter for peanut allergies)
- Jelly
- Plastic knife (1 per group)
- Small plastic cups (2 per group)
- Sandwich bags (1 per group)
- Paper towel
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science; English/Language Arts. Take measurements using a scale. Set up an experiment including the title, purpose, hypothesis, materials, methods and data. Write a materials and methods section for a research study.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility; Think Creatively
- Resources/References
- Website: “How to Write Materials and Method Section in Scientific Writing”; Document: Agriscience Fair Manuscript Examples; Template: Agriscience Fair Written Report Template
- Created
- 06/2021 by the National FFA Organization
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9.10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.4Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
FFA Precept
- FFA.CS-NDecision Making: Analyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
- FFA.PG-IProfessional Growth: Assume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-CVision: Visualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-EAwareness: Understand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-FContinuous Improvement: Accept responsibility for learning and personal growth.