AgVenture Lessons

Join our virtual classroom to get up close with learning about food, the environment, nutrition, and business. Each lesson is aligned to Nebraska State Standards within science, social studies, math, or language arts. Come learn about Nebraska’s #1 industry: agriculture.

Pigs Habitats

Did you know pigs can’t sweat? Like humans and other animals, pigs have four basic needs – air, water, food, and shelter. Pigs raised on farms live in environments that are designed to help farmers meet these needs. Design and create a pig barn that will help farmers meet the needs of pigs!

State Standard Connection: SC.3.7.2.C Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat, some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Materials Needed:

• Tape
• Scissors
• Scrap paper (construction paper, envelopes, cardboard, etc.)
• Any other materials around the house to build pig stalls, feed troughs, drinking fountains, fans, misters etc.

Perfect Pollination

What do bats, bees, and birds have in common? Pollination! Pollination is essential in the lifecycle of a plant. Students will explore pollination in Nebraska crops by developing a simple model using Cheetos to pollinate their own flower. This lesson is sure to create a buzz!

State Standard Connection: SC.2.7.2.B Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Materials Needed:

• Cheetos
• Printable Flower Handout
• Scissors
• Crayons

Our World – Goods & Services

Grab some playdough and use fractions to find the small proportion of Earth that is available to grow the plants and animals that develop our state. Engage in critical thinking to discover how Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers make wise use of limited agricultural land.

State Standard Connection: SS 4.2.12.a Compare Nebraska with different regions and the good and services each region produces (e.g., beef, wheat, telemarketing, cotton, coal).

Materials Needed:

• Play-dough
• Plastic Knife

Competitive Farming

Trying to make a prediction? Who is your go-to expert? The magic eight ball? Predicting the price of the future can be both complicated and risky. A lot of planning goes into the sale of a farmer’s crop. In order to be a successful farmer, a farmer must predict when he or she will receive the best price. Grab a bag of M&M’s and join us as we make predictions and weigh risks while selling a crop.

State Standard Connection: SS 5.2.1.a Describe how competition among sellers results in lower costs and prices, high product quality, and better customer service.

Materials Needed:

• 1 Package (1.69 oz) of M&M’s
• Competitive Farming Handout
• Calculator

Edible Plant Parts

Help us identify common plant parts that we eat! It is important to know that much of our food comes from plants, and that we eat different parts of different plants. Fruits and vegetables we eat each day are seeds, roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and flowers.

State Standard Connection: LA 3.1.5.e Locate words and determine meaning using reference materials.

Materials Needed:

• Samples of vegetables and fruit(s) found on handout (optional)
• Edible Plant Parts Handout
• Edible Plant Parts Handout Answers

Amazing Corn Plastic

Plants to plastic? Join us to discover the different uses of corn through the discussion of renewable and non-renewable resources, and a hands-on exploration of bioplastics made from corn.

State Standard Connection: SC.5.13.4.C Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

Materials Needed:

• Sandwich-size resealable plastic bags, 1
• Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon (14 g)
• Corn oil, 2 drops
• Water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL)
• Tablespoon
• Access to microwave
• Bioplastic Handout