From Drone to Tractor
“From Drone to Tractor” is a 30-minute lesson plan from the National FFA Organization that introduces students to the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture. Students watch a video and complete a worksheet to compare and contrast conventional agriculture methods with precision agriculture techniques, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Understand the uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in agriculture.
- Compare and contrast conventional methods of agriculture to precision agriculture.
- Time required
- 30 minutes
- Materials
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- A copy of the "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a… Farm Tool?" worksheet for each student.
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time.
- Resources
- FFA.org
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As
- 1. Part of a unit on production agriculture. 2. An introduction to a lesson or unit on precision agriculture. 3. An activity about innovations in agriculture.
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.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
- 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.
AFNR Performance Element
Common Career Technical Core
- AG-PST5Use control, monitoring, geospatial and other technologies in AFNR power, structural and technical systems.
Common Core – Math Practices
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
FFA Precept
- PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking, and coping.
NASDCTEc
- AGPD04.03Examine and summarize applications of geospatial technology to demonstrate a broad knowledge of technologies influencing the industry.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ESS3-2Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
- HS-ESS3-4Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
- HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.