Careers With Plants: Research and Development
This is Lesson 2 of 8 in a National FFA/Syngenta plant science career series. It introduces students to the role of research and development in plant science by exploring how agricultural companies develop new products, and engages students in a hands-on plant breeding simulation (using trait cards, Punnett Squares, and dice) to understand genetics and genetic selection. Students also research and complete a profile of a plant science research and development career using AgExplorer.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Explain the role of research and development in agriculture.
- Identify key careers in plant science research and development.
- Conduct a plant breeding simulation to understand genetic selection.
- Time required
- 100 minutes
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Plant Breeding Challenge" worksheet for each student
- Plant Breeding Trait Cards cut out ahead of time, one set per student or group
- Dice, one per student or group
- Vocabulary
- Allele; Cross Breeding; Dominant Allele; Genetics; Heterozygous; Hybrid; Punnett Square; Recessive Allele
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science; English/Language Arts; Technology; Mathematics I
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility
- Resources/References
- Video: Gregor Mendel's Punnett Squares, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4izVAkhMPQ; Website: AgExplorer (2023), AgExplorer.FFA.org
- SAE and FFA Connections
- Agronomy CDE; Floriculture CDE; Nursery/Landscape CDE; SAE Idea Cards
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- 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.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.
- CRP.10Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. Career-ready individuals take personal ownership of their own educational and career goals, and they regularly act on a plan to attain these goals.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.05Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career pathways.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG5Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Pathways.
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.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PG-I.Professional GrowthAssume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-E.AwarenessUnderstand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-F.Continuous ImprovementAccept responsibility for learning and personal growth.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.