Lesson 2 – Research and Development

Lesson Plans & Curriculum
90 minutes or more

This is a 95-minute agricultural education lesson plan (Lesson Plan 2 of 8) developed by the National FFA Organization with Valent USA, focused on research and development and the role of sustainability in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources value chain. Through a Surprise Bag Challenge, a biorational products jigsaw reading, a Cargill Virtual Field Trip, and a Trail Mix Challenge, students learn the R&D process, how to write effective consumer surveys, and the importance of biorational products in sustainable agriculture. It includes student worksheets, an example grower survey appendix, and answer keys.

At a glance

Learning objectives: Describe the process of research and development.

Create a survey to determine the needs of the consumer when developing a product.

Recognize a biorational product and analyze the importance of biorational products in sustainable agriculture.
Time required: 95 minutes
Materials: "Surprise Bag" supplies: Brown paper bags — 1 per group

Toothpicks — 25 per group

Mini marshmallows — 15 per group

Three different varieties of trail mix

Red, green and purple markers, pens, crayons or highlighters

A copy of the "The Role of Biorationals" article for each student

A copy of the "Biorationals and Sustainability" article for each student

A copy of the "Biorationals and Crop Quality" article for each student

A copy of the "Surprise Bag Challenge" worksheet for each student

A copy of the "What to Ask" worksheet for each student

A copy of the "Demand Influences Design — Cargill Virtual Field Trip" worksheet for each student

A copy of the "Trail Mix Challenge: Consumer Research" worksheet for each student

A copy of the "Biorational Products Jigsaw Activity" worksheet for each student

A copy of "Appendix 1: Valent Growers' Sustainability Attitudes Survey Example"
Description: Valent USA is a leader in sustainable solutions for a changing world, and maintaining the ability to continue feeding the growing population requires sustainability. Through this lesson series, students will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of sustainability throughout the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Value Chain.
This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As: 1. An introduction to research and development. 2. A lesson in a food products and processing unit.
Created: 02/2020 by the National FFA Organization
Resources: Valent USA (valentbiosciences.com) including articles "The Role of Biorationals," "Biorationals and Sustainability," and "Biorationals and Crop Quality"; AgExplorer "Cargill Virtual Field Trip" (agexplorer.ffa.org)

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.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
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.

AFNR Cluster Skills

CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Common Career Technical Core

AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing

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 – Reading: Informational Text

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.3Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.8Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.

Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.

Common Core – Speaking and Listening

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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

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 Precepts

FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.

Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements

AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.

NASDCTEc

AGPA01.02Conduct food product development and research activities that demonstrate application of food science principles to enhance products.