Agriscience 6

The National FFA Agriscience Fair, the Agriscience Student Scholarship and Recognition Program and the Agriscience Teacher of the Year Program are exciting opportunities for those interested in the scientific principles and emerging technologies of the agricultural industry. It is up to you to find as much written material on your topic as possible using various sources; i.e. internet, books, magazines, film, local experts, university professors, provincial extension agents, etc.

COMPLETING A RESEARCH TOPIC

COVER SHEET FOR RESEARCH COMMITTEE

THE PROPOSAL SECTIONS

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

NEED FOR THE STUDY

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Many consider the information available through the Internet to be suspect because it is not regulated and edited for content validity. Use the Internet to find information from primary sources (universities, books, research papers, etc.).

COLLECTION OF DATA

You should at least be able to list a specific author to whom the information can be attributed. The methodology explains how the experiment will be set up to solve the problem presented at the beginning of the proposal.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

If you only cite the website as a source, the theoretical framework on which your study is based will be called into question during the competition interview. See Section II for more information on how to set up an experiment using the scientific method.

LIMITATIONS AND DELIMITATIONS

DEFINITION OF TERMS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

RESEARCH COSTS

Designing the

UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

SECTION

STATE THE PROBLEM

TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS

As your research progresses, change the project, write in your journal why and how the project was changed, and continue until the predetermined deadline. New information related to your problem may have been discovered, or the experiment may have problems related to the current design.

Collecting, Analyzing and

ANALYZING DATA

Once the statistics are complete, select those that best describe the most important aspects of your research. Remember, it is better to have too much information when completing the research report than to have too little.

REPORTING DATA

SIZE COMPARISON AT EXPERIMENT COMPLETION

Total Embryos Recovered

Series

The Final

Written Report

COMPONENTS OF THE REPORT

TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT

48 of the embryos recovered using the new FSH-P were found to be infertile due to poor quality sperm (four cows used in the study were bred to the same bull and did not yield fertilized eggs ). It was determined that it was not suitable for flushing use, and the cause of the high number of unfertilized embryos was identified.

INTRODUCTION

The control group received only a traditional water/nutrient supply, while the control groups received the following: water/nutrients/granular fertilizer at planting time; water/nutrients/powder plant food added weekly; and water/nutrients/plant spikes added every eight weeks. No differences existed between the control group and those plants that had granular fertilizer added at the time of planting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LITERATURE CITED

Preparing the Display

VISUAL DISPLAY

TITLE

ORGANIZATION

EYE APPEAL

PRESENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION

DISPLAY EXAMPLES

Interview

PREPARING YOURSELF

The best advice for the interview part of the competition is to relax and enjoy the experience. Never underestimate the power of a smile; reviewers look for the confidence that says you enjoy the experience of presenting your findings.

Supporting Materials

TAKING PICTURES

Remove any distractions by getting closer to the subject or keeping the foreground and background simple. Whenever possible, get close to the object; close-up images have more impact than distant shots. If necessary, ask the subject to tilt the hat back slightly or remove it entirely.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Shoot Away!

SELECTING THE “BEST” PHOTOS

Doing so will give you an objective idea of the strengths and/or weaknesses of the application.

CAPTIONS

TIPS ON WRITING CAPTIONS

MOUNTING THE PICTURES

Can you improve your app the most by using photos to improve its weakest aspects or complement its strengths. Rubber cement, pastes containing water or penetrating solvents can stain your prints or cause them to wrinkle. If you're not sure what to use, try mounting a photo on a material similar to your application and observe the results.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE

Some activities are a direct result of FFA membership, while others are offered by the school and community and are available to all students. Recognition received - Star Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer, Star Farmer diploma, Chapter Member of the Year, 100% participation in chapter functions. Do not send attached letters (except letters of recommendation), only names, addresses and phone numbers.

SAMPLE RÉSUMÉ #1

SAMPLE RÉSUMÉ #2

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Agriscience Fair

ELIGIBILITY RULES

Students participating in the Agriscience Student Scholarship and Recognition Program may participate in the FFA National Agriculture Fair. In the event that a state does not have a state qualifying competition, the maximum number of entries will be 10. No entries from a state may compete against each other in the same division at the national level.

PARTICIPATION

Each member participating in the National FFA Agriscience Fair must submit the correct Waiver, Release of Liability and Consent to Medical Treatment form. The form must be sent to the National FFA Center before the national application deadline. Forms received at the National FFA Center less than 10 days before the convention will be void, the added students are not eligible to participate in the convention.

REQUIRED FORMS

CERTIFICATION

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION

SAFETY RULES

If the exhibit is to be connected to 120 volt AC power (plugged into an outlet), fuses or circuit breakers must be provided to protect not only the exhibit but also others sharing the same power sources. The power cord used must be UL approved for the voltage and current it will carry and must be at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) long. National FFA personnel must be notified of the need for power at the time of certification so that power can be ordered in advance.

DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS

RECOGNITION

State Level - Winners from each division in all five categories may be selected annually in each of the chartered state associations. Each of those winners may then compete in the appropriate area at the national level. This may include, but is not limited to, scholarships and cash awards to divisional winners in each category.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

Additional awards may become available if funded by specific project sponsors beyond the base sponsorship for the National FFA Agriscience Fair.

LOGBOOK

WRITTEN PROJECT REPORT

DISPLAY

INTERVIEW

SCORING

SCORE SHEET

Has the exhibitor made thorough use of data, cited literature, interviews, correspondence, etc. Does the project take advantage of their skills, given the age and experience of the exhibitor. Visual display - Has the data been presented in the best way for the particular type of information included?.

Agriscience Student Scholarship

Applications for national competitions must be submitted to the National FFA Center on or before July 15 each year. The national winner and national runner-up will receive additional scholarships and additional plaques. These forms must be sent to the National FFA Organization no later than July 15, the national Agriscience Student Scholarship and Recognition application and certification deadline.

JUDGING

APPLICATION

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

SAMPLE ANSWERS

I plan to present this report to agricultural extension agents to help orchard people make management decisions. I also plan to hold presentations for community organizations to educate members on the positives and negatives of fruit bagging at the consumer level. I plan to study regional planning in the agriculture department at a local university.

AS A NATIONAL FINALIST

This degree will lead me to a career where I will work with farmers, scientists, county, state and national officials and others to improve the lives of people in agriculture. Therefore, I will be very involved in ensuring that farmers take advantage of technological advances. Your display area will be approximately 4' x 8' with a table measuring 3' x 8.' In your area, include photographs, graphs, diagrams, posters, microscopes, test equipment, models of the project, etc.

ORAL PRESENTATION

Pictures, charts and graphs should be chosen to illustrate a single point you want to make. Set time limits for each main section so you don't spend too much time on one topic. Don't close by saying "Thank you". A simple statement like "This concludes my presentation." it's enough.

Agriscience Teacher of the

The four national finalists will be introduced on stage at the national FFA convention and honored during a special meal. Press releases will be distributed to local and major news media, state personnel and local school administrators at each stage of the selection process.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Personal information such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnic background and religion should be excluded from the curriculum vitae. The amount of information and the choice of topics to emphasize determine the form of the curriculum vitae, but there is no standard. However, an experienced candidate should start with experience and place the educational preparation elsewhere in the curriculum vitae.

SIX PHOTOGRAPHS WITH CAPTIONS

The average curriculum vitae is two to four pages for a young professional and six to eight pages for a veteran professional.

JUDGING CRITERIA

NATIONAL FINALISTS AGRISCIENCE TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Describe how students apply scientific knowledge in their agricultural activities and the agri - science competencies they learn
Describe any innovative methods, classroom and lab activities or resources you use to enhance and teach agriscience concepts and principles
How has the integration of science into your curriculum stimulated changes in student par - ticipation, SAE interest and skill development?
How has emphasizing science stimulated additional support for your program from school administrators, counselors, community leaders, other teachers and parents? How have you
How have you increased FFA participation through the use of agriscience activities?
How has the integration of science into your curriculum stimulated changes in student partici - pation, SAE interest and skill development?

The change to a science-based curriculum has completely turned the face of agricultural education. Our program has had the state winner of the student agriculture competition for the past five years. For example, they mix and sterilize laboratory media in the autoclave; use gauges and probes for Teacher of the Year in the Agriscience Program.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM VITAE TEMPLATE

Office Address

Biographical Data

Education

Honors and Awards

Work Experience

Publications

Conference Presentations

Teaching Experience

Relevant Computer Experience

Relevant Graduate Coursework

Professional Service and Volunteer Work

Professional References

APPENDIX

ADDITIONAL FORMS

LOG BOOK - SAMPLE

CHECKLIST FOR ADULT SPONSOR / SAFETY ASSESSMENT FORM (1)

RESEARCH PLAN APPROVAL FORM (1B)

HUMAN VERTEBRATE ENDORSEMENT

NON-HUMAN VERTEBRATE ENDORSEMENT

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WAIVER FORM

The price per item is registered in column 3; the amount paid by the student in column 5 and the expenses paid by someone else in column 6.

RESEARCH EXPENSES

TOTALS

RESEARCH SKILLS,

COMPETENCIES AND KNOWLEDGE

RESEARCH PLAN (1A)

Conditional title: (The title must be concise and clearly state the nature of the proposed research.). Objectives: (Clearly state the results you wish to achieve with the proposed research.). Current Status of the Question: (Summarize previous research in this area of information, specifically identifying any gaps that the study might help fill. Include definitive citations in the summary.) 3.

FINAL WRITTEN REPORT TEMPLATE

ADD/DELETE POLICY FOR AGRISCIENCE FAIR

NATIONAL FFA AGRISCIENCE FAIR ADD/DELETE FORM

Plagiarism

Ethics Statement

Multiple Student Research Projects

GLOSSARY

TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

Purpose - An explanation of how you will decide whether the stated problem with your study will be resolved. Resume - A brief account of one's career and qualifications usually prepared by an applicant for a position (See Vitae). Vitae - A brief account of one's career and qualifications usually prepared by an applicant for a position.

THE FFA MISSION

O. Box 68960

The FFA Mission

The Agricultural Education Mission