Agriscience Foundations 1

Course Description:

Agriscience Foundations involves the scientific study of agriculture and its local and global impact. Students will dive into agricultural history, learn about scientific and research concepts that drive the field, animal and plant systems, as well as the effects of agriculture on the environment. This course also teaches about career opportunities available in the field and how students can promote themselves to land a dream job. Specialized lab activities provide students the hands-on practice needed to master the content.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Agriscience Foundations 1
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : Florida Virtual School
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Virtual
Standards Addressed : Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, Michigan Science Standards
Alignment Document : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BNhZbZ1B3bd3YF_7XhgREWOKoaRXLAPv/view?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Semester
NCES SCED Code : 18001
Subject Area : Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Course Identifier : Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

Students are responsible for obtaining the following lab materials necessary for the following projects and assignments.

01.02 Safety lab

  • 1 aluminum tin (pie size or larger) or rectangle metal cake pan
  • Soil to fill up about one quarter of the pan (this will be your land)
  • Water
  • 50 mL cooking oil (such as vegetable oil or olive oil)
  • Clean-up materials—sample materials include spoons, craft sticks, plastic wrap, cotton balls or squares, paper, pieces of sponge, coffee filters, and liquid soap or detergent

02.06 Cellular systems project

  • Two matching containers (clear glass or plastic bottles or cups such as soda bottles or mason jars)
  • Gravel or small rocks
  • Soil (potting soil or topsoil) and sand (if you choose the substrate variable)
  • One bag of nine-bean soup mix from a grocery store
  • Water and measuring cup
  • Plastic wrap and aluminum foil (if you choose the light variable)
  • Rubber bands
  • Ruler

03.06 Animal and plant systems project

  • Sharp scissors

04.02 Environmental Resources lab

  • Distilled water
  • Metric ruler
  • Small zipper storage bag
  • Soil from the yard, garden, or other local source
  • Jar with tightly fitting lid (tall and skinny would be best)
  • Small digging tool
  • pH strips (available at hardware and pool supply stores) or vinegar and baking soda

05.05 Agriscience Data project

  • Choice of materials varies depending on choice of student project

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  • Define agriscience
  • Identify career choices within agriscience
  • Identify challenges facing the modern agricultural industry
  • Identify common causes of agriculture accidents and prevention methods
  • Evaluate alternative methods of containing and cleaning up oil spills
  • Categorize types and uses of laboratory equipment used by botanists and horticulturalists
  • Identify the central ideas of cell theory
  • Compare prokaryotic and eurkaryotic cell structures
  • Define DNA and universal genetic code
  • Explain processes of cellular reproduction and causes of genetic variation
  • Simulate techniques for cross-breeding plant species
  • Observe and explain biological and environmental factors in promoting plant growth
  • Classify plants based on shared characteristics
  • Identify animal classifications common among livestock
  • Explain the importance of animal by-products in the agricultural industry
  • Identify important components of safety within food processing, handling and preservation
  • Define methods to promote animal welfare within fields of animal husbandry
  • Diagram and record observations of a food-related animal byproduct
  • Identify components of an ecosystem
  • Evaluate human impacts upon ecosystems
  • Measure the pH of soil samples
  • Identify climate and geologic impacts on agriculture
  • Explain methods and technologies that improve food processing and reduce environmental concerns
  • Evaluate methods of controlling an invasive species
  • Identify evidence of historical change and emerging trends within agriculture, biotechnology and productivity
  • Apply the scientific method in conducting an agriscience investigation
  • Identify traits and skills employed by managers and leaders within agriscience careers
  • Explain the role the FFA has played in educating agriscientists
  • Evaluate career interests and opportunities in the agricultural, food system, and environmental science industries
  • Identify career planning strategies

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met
Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Fully Met
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Fully Met
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Fully Met
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Partially Met Learner-to-learner interaction is limited to introduction discussion board.
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Partially Met Some course-level objectives don't seem to be addressed. There isn't a clear and consistent relationship between the assessments and learning objectives or competencies stated. A few examples: ""Evaluate alternative methods of containing and cleaning up oil spills"" ""Compare prokaryotic and eurkaryotic cell structures"" ""Explain processes of cellular reproduction and causes of genetic variation"" (Associated with quiz, but questions don't match the level of difficulty associated with ""explain""). ""Simulate techniques for cross-breeding plant species"" ""Diagram and record observations of a food-related animal byproduct"" ""Explain the role the FFA has played in educating agriscientists"" (Again, it has a quiz, but it doesn't match the level of difficulty associated with ""explain""). Some alignment issues noted between lesson objectives and assessments: ""Explain cell theory and the universal genetic code"" (Also has a quiz, but it doesn't match the level of difficulty associated with ""explain""). Since Unit 2 is mainly quizzes, students don't ""explain"" or ""describe"" many concepts listed in the objectives. 4.02 Assignment refers to soil PH, but there isn't a lesson objective that states assessing this concept. 4.04 Assignment refers to invasive species, but there isn't a lesson objective for that concept. ""Present agriscience research data""- students don't appear to do this in the form of an assessment.
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Fully Met
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Partially Met Instructor role permissions within Michigan Virtual's learning management system permit instructors to add supplemental content and external resources both within lessons and announcements. Additionally, the learning management system permits online accommodations including text-to-speech tools, extended testing time, provision of multiple attempts, and scoring exemptions for extenuating circumstances. Course content is desgined, however, to meet state and national content standards alignment and provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum to all enrolled learners, and therefore there are restrictions on instructor permissions to modify the scope and sequence of course assessments.
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Partially Met Michigan Virtual provides for flexible pacing and asynchronous delivery of its online course offerings. In order to maximize these opportunities for personalized learner preferences and flexibility concerning frequency or timing of individual learner availability or participation in courses during academic terms, with few exceptions, all course content is made available at all times throughout the term, and generally only midterm or final exams are password protected. Conditional release of content is intentionally avoided or used sparingly within Michigan Virtual course design and instructional delivery models.
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 07/25/2024

Module 1: Introduction to Agriscience

Module 2: Cellular Systems

Module 3: Animal and Plant Systems

Module 4: Environmental Systems

Module 5: Technology and Innovation

Module 6: Leadership and Careers

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/17/2025 01/03/2025 05/23/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/24/2025 01/10/2025 05/30/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/31/2025 01/17/2025 06/06/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/07/2025 01/24/2025 06/13/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/14/2025 01/31/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/21/2025 02/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/28/2025 02/14/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/06/2024 08/23/2024 01/10/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/13/2024 08/30/2024 01/17/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/20/2024 09/06/2024 01/24/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/27/2024 09/13/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/04/2024 09/20/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/11/2024 09/27/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/18/2024 10/04/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/25/2024 10/11/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 11/01/2024 10/18/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 11/08/2024 10/25/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/

Lightweight devices such as Apple iPads, Google Chromebooks, and tablets have limited support for Java or Flash which still appear in a small percentage of our catalog. While FLVS does not offer technical support for these devices, FLVS is working to remove Flash from their remaining course content. Students will need extra work-around steps or alternate browsers to engage with some portions of those courses. FLVS recommends students have a Windows or Mac based computer available to complete coursework in the event that your selected mobile device does not meet the needs of the course. Fully supported Operating Systems for FLVS courses include Windows (10 or higher) and MacOS (11 or higher). Supported Browsers include the most recent versions of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari on devices that support Java and HTML5. Browsers need to be up to date, and some FLVS courses may require installation or enabling of the following Plug-ins: JavaScript enabled, Cookies enabled, Java installed. https://www.flvs.net/student-parent-resources/more/system-requirements