Agriscience
and Natural Resources Program
Description:
The Lapeer County Agriscience and Natural Resources (ANR) Program provides science activities and experiences to every fourth, fifth, and sixth grade student in Lapeer County. All schools, public and private, in the county participate. Students are taught science skills, processes, and content using agriscience and natural resources lessons and activities.
Students visit the Agriscience Lab at the Lapeer Education & Technology Center for half a day, twice each year. They use science instruments and equipment not normally available in an elementary science classroom, such as video microscopes, Bunsen burners, and electronic balances. An extension teacher from the ANR Program visits each classroom once a year bringing more hands-on activities to the students. Pre- and post-visit activity suggestions are provided to the classroom teachers to expand on the visits.
Professional development of the fourth through sixth grade teachers is a
large component of the program. Teachers
attend in-services on science content related to plants, soil, and ecology, and
on science teaching methods, such as inquiry science teaching and authentic
assessment strategies. All
activities and instruction provided through the ANR program are designed to
serve as a model of Best Practice teaching in science.
Five Year Goals:
Provide hands-on lessons and experiences to students that are connected to the world of agriscience and natural resources, and provide teachers with the ideas, materials, and professional development necessary to expand the learning from the ANR program to the students in their classroom.
Continue to revisit the local school's science curriculum needs and expand the programs offered through this service to meet those various needs within and beyond the scope of Agriscience and Natural Resources.