Chapter 1 book

The National FFA Agriscience Fair, Agriscience Student Recognition and Scholarship Program and the Agriscience Teacher of the Year Program are exciting events for those interested in the scientific principles and emerging technologies in the agricultural industry. The following is an overview of the areas to be included in the proposal.

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 questionable due to the fact that the information available on all sites is not regulated. The methodology explains how the experiment will be set up to solve the problem presented at the beginning of the proposal.

SOURCE OF DATA

This section is very short, but plays an important role in explaining how the project will be completed. In Part II you will find more information about how to set up the experiment in a scientific way.

COLLECTION OF DATA

Identify any limitations that will be placed on the experiment and findings. These limitations should relate to areas that apply specifically to the experiment and the environment in which it will be conducted, which may have a particular impact on the outcome of the study.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

List the limitations on the population being studied and on the recommendations and conclusions that result from the experiment. One of the best ways to approach this section is to use what is known as a "null hypothesis."

ASSUMPTIONS

This area is designed for the person who is reading your letter and has no previous experience with your topic. The paper and bibliography must adhere to the requirements defined by the manual of style used.

LIMITATIONS

DELIMITATIONS

DEFINITION OF TERMS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

This budget will serve as a guide to estimate any costs that will be incurred during the conduct of the research project. If a grant is provided or other sources of external support are expected, these amounts must be recorded under Amounts financed from other sources.

RESEARCH COSTS

To be successful in agriscience competitions, you must fully understand the scientific method of research and how it is used to solve problems. To begin a research project, you must first define the problem that exists concretely.

DESIGNING

Vegetables grown hydroponically will be more economical than those grown using traditional methods. Comparing hydroponically grown vegetables to those grown using traditional gardening methods, there will be no economic advantage.

THE EXPERIMENT

This section examines the scientific method step by step and shows how it is integrated into the entire agricultural science research project and competition. Example: Are there economic benefits to growing vegetables hydroponically compared to using traditional gardening methods?

UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

STATE THE PROBLEM

Once the groups to be used in the experiment have been identified, you must determine the time period necessary to determine whether there are differences. For example, in a hypothetical research project comparing vegetables grown hydroponically with those grown using traditional methods, length.

TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS

A control group is defined as the group in the experiment that most closely resembles what has been traditionally done. In the example discussed here, vegetables produced using common gardening procedures would form the 'control group'. An experimental (or treatment) group would be one that deviates from the norm.

TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS (continued)

COLLECTING, ANALYZING AND REPORTING DATA

RECORDING DATA

ANALYZING DATA

Once the statistics are complete, select those that best describe the most important aspects of your research. After the data has been analyzed for statistical differences, decide how you want to include it as part of the research report.

REPORTING DATA

After all the hard work of the research project has been completed, you are ready for the final written report. If you created a full proposal document at the beginning of the project, most of the final written report has already been completed.

THE FINAL

WRITTEN REPORT

COMPONENTS OF THE REPORT

TITLE PAGE

Abstract example 1

ABSTRACT

Abstract example 2

Abstract example 3

The introduction should clearly state why the research was conducted, a statement of the problem that warrants conducting the research, the results of previous work, and the general approach and objectives. Most of this section of the report should be contained in the research proposal you may have written earlier.

MATERIALS AND METHODSINTRODUCTION

The literature review should detail to the reader what information currently exists about the research project being undertaken. Cited material can include articles about similar studies, similar research methods, the history of the research area, and any other articles that can "break the ground" for understanding the current knowledge base on the research topic and where your project might go. help "fill in the gaps" in existing information.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In this section, draw conclusions from the results of your study and relate them to the original hypothesis. Link your study to the literature, but don't hesitate to offer your own sound reasoning.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It is useful to briefly summarize the results and use them as a basis for the conclusions you draw. If someone helped with revising your paper or helped with statistics, you should acknowledge that person in this section.

LITERATURE CITED

RESULTS

Keep it simple so that judges and others can quickly assess and understand your project and the results you achieved, but don't use so little information that it seems like nothing was accomplished.

PREPARING THE DISPLAY

VISUAL DISPLAY

TITLE

ORGANIZATION

Two colors, used in combination (black and gold for example), should be used as a background for images, graphs and written materials. Please note that you will not always be available to answer questions about your project.

PRESENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION

EYE APPEAL

Of course, home-made equipment, construction paper, and colored markers are always good and reliable resources for making excellent displays. The pictures, graphs, and written information are nicely displayed along the pages, and the students included a working model of a hydroponics unit in the center of the display.

DISPLAY EXAMPLES

The addition of scientific equipment on the table completes the outstanding display of the project. This display could be improved by enlarging the title of the project to attract viewers' attention.

THE INTERVIEW

PREPARING YOURSELF

Judges will ask questions to find out how you understand your project, how it relates to your SAE, and perhaps how your project relates to other FFA activities. Never underestimate the power of a smile; judges are looking for a confidence that says you enjoy the experience of presenting your findings.

TAKING PICTURES

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

If your subject is wearing a hat with a brim, you may need to use a flash to avoid shadowing the face. If necessary, ask your subject to tilt the hat back slightly or remove it completely.

WRITING THE CAPTIONS

Informative captions can indicate your knowledge of your project or provide additional information not already provided. Use captions to explain something important about the image that might not be easily understood by someone unfamiliar with your program.

MOUNTING THE PICTURES

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Included should be the following

RESUME OR ´ ´ CURRICULUM VITAE

School Management Activities/Awards Includes the main school management activities and achievements that were available to all students. Do not send attached letters (except letters of recommendation), only names, addresses and phone numbers.

Sample résumé #1

Sample résumé #2

Chris Blue

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

The FFA National Agricultural Fair recognizes students who study the application of scientific principles and emerging technologies to agricultural enterprises. This section will give you basic information about the FFA National Agricultural Fair, such as categories and rules.

THE AGRISCIENCE FAIR

The FFA National Agricultural Fair is for middle and high school students, while the Agricultural Science Student Recognition and Scholarship Program is for high school students only.

NATIONAL FFA AGRISCIENCE FAIR RULES ELIGIBILITY RULES

Consecutive year projects must indicate change or growth in the project from the previous year(s) in the logs. In the event that a state does not have a state qualifying competition, the maximum number of entries will be 10.

SAFETY RULES

Any part of an exhibition that can become hotter than 100 degrees Celsius (boiling water temperature) must be adequately protected from the environment. National FFA personnel must be notified of power needs at the time of certification so that power can be pre-ordered.

SAFETY RULES (continued)

The wire used must be adequately insulated for the maximum voltage that will be present, and the wire must be of sufficient size to carry the maximum current you expect. If the exhibit will be connected to 120 volt AC power (plugged into a wall outlet), fuses or circuit breakers must be provided to protect not only the exhibit, but also any others that may share the same power sources.

DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS

Therefore, the following two rules are very important: No wild cultures incubated above room temperature; cultures obtained from humans or other warm-blooded animals cannot be used. State Level - Winners from each division in all five categories may be selected annually in any of the state charter associations.

LOG BOOK RECOGNITION

Each of those winners can then participate in the appropriate area at the national level. They may include, but are not limited to, scholarships and cash awards for division winners in each category.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

Medals and certificates are available from National FFA Distribution Services on the Foundation Award Medal Request Form included on the Chapter Resources CD-ROM. Additional awards may become available as they are funded by special project sponsors above and beyond the base sponsorship for the FFA National Agricultural Fair.

WRITTEN PROJECT REPORT

Winner may represent any of the agricultural science category areas (based on state contest rules).

DISPLAY

INTERVIEW

Is the exhibitor aware of the basic scientific principles that support the methods used and the conclusions drawn? Does the exhibitor recognize the scope and limitation of the problem he or she has selected?

SCORE SHEETSCORING

Can identify the parts of the presentation that represent the work of others. Thoroughness - Is the exhibitor aware of the empirical method (the necessity of repeating trials) and the importance of controlling the variables in the experimentation to arrive at valid conclusions.

AGRISCIENCE STUDENT RECOGNITION AND

The Agriculture Student Scholarship and Recognition Program highlights high school students studying the application of scientific principles and emerging technologies to the agricultural industry. The student should plan to pursue a career in an agricultural science field that requires post-secondary education.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Student may be a high school junior or senior, agriculture/agribusiness/agribusiness or college freshman who is an immediate high school graduate with a degree in an agriculture-related field. All research must begin while the student is enrolled in high school and be completed by December 31 of the year of graduation.

ELIGIBILITY RULES

Applications for national competitions are submitted to the national FFA Center no later than July 15 each year. NOTE: AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THE PRESENTATION JUDGMENT SCORE IDENTIFIED BELOW ONLY APPLIES TO THE EIGHT FINALISTS.

JUDGING

Finalists prepare an oral presentation and agree to construct a project display to be part of the Agriscience Student Recognition Display at the National Agricultural Career Show at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY. The national winner and national runner-up will receive additional scholarships and additional plaques.

PROJECT COMPONENTS APPLICATION

Often the chapter name and school name are different, please identify the chapter name. Number of years in agricultural education - Identify the number of years you have been enrolled in agricultural education.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

Explain how involvement in the FFA enhanced your agriscience project
Explain how your agricultural education course related to the development of your project and SAE
Discuss how your project created and promoted awareness of agriscience in your community
Discuss your future plans for an agriscience career

As a result, the general public in our community is quite aware of the field of agriculture. I plan to study regional planning in the agriculture department at a local university.

SAMPLE ANSWERS

The agriculture courses, FFA competitions, and FFA leadership roles I was involved in taught me sound conceptual thinking that was vital in testing and analyzing data from my agriculture project. All these answers can be found in the following sections of your project report: introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion, and conclusions.

ORAL PRESENTATIONDISPLAY

You cannot present your entire written report, but you can provide the information that the audience wants to know. Photos, tables and graphs should be chosen to illustrate a single point you are trying to make.

AS A NATIONAL FINALIST

Look around the room to give the impression that you are speaking to each individual personally. Memorizing two or three of the closing sentences will help you finish on time.

AGRISCIENCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

T The Agriculture Teacher of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding agriculture instructors who emphasize science concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum. Teachers who have been named a national finalist cannot participate in the competition for the first year after being named a national finalist.

RECOGNITION

The application includes a personal information page, answers to six questions, a resume, six photos with captions, and two letters of recommendation. Include a paragraph in your resume or resume that describes your community (school setting, type of school, special populations, types of agriculture, and other existing industries) in 75 words or less. The National FFA Organization reserves the right to retain and use photographs for advertising purposes.).

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

APPLICATION

RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE

SIX PHOTOGRAPHS WITH CAPTIONS

NATIONAL FINALISTS AGRISCIENCE TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Describe how students apply scientific knowledge in their agricultural activities and the agriscience competencies they learn
Describe any innovative methods, classroom and lab activities or resources you use to enhance and teach agriscience concepts and principles
Describe the process by which you identified the need to incorporate more scien- tific methods and content into your existing curriculum. Was a needs assessment
How has the integration of science into your curriculum stimulated changes in student participation, SAE interest and skill development?
How has emphasizing science stimulated additional support for your program from school administrators, counselors, community leaders, other teachers and par-
How have you increased FFA participation through the use of agri-
Describe the process by which you identified the need to incorporate more sci-
How have you increased FFA participation through the use of agriscience activi- ties?

This year, for the first time, our section had a team compete in the Envirothon, a challenging environmental science competition. As a result, we have had an increase in participation in the science-based skills awards.

Items that should be included are

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

Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment Form (1)

Research Plan

Approval Form

Human Vertebrate Endorsement

Non-Human Vertebrate Endorsement

Research Expenses

Research Skills,

Competencies and Knowledge

Botany- The study of plant life such as agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc. Environmental Science- The study of pollution sources (air, water and soil) and their control.

GLOSSARY

Biochemistry- Includes the biology and chemistry of life processes such as molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, hormones, etc.

TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

Null Hypothesis- A theory that states that there is no difference between groups in an experimental situation. Zoology - The study of animals, including animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, entomology, animal ecology, animal husbandry, etc.

THE FFA MISSION

THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION MISSION