By Julie Tomascik
Editor

To help fifth-grade students explore agriculture and better understand the science involved in farming and ranching, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is launching the Ag Inquiry Science Fair (AISF).

It’s the first project of its kind for the state’s largest farm and ranch organization, but one TFB hopes cultivates agricultural literacy and awareness.

“Agriculture today looks much different than it did just five years ago,” Jordan Walker, TFB director of Educational Outreach, said. “Our hope is that students will learn what it means to think critically as they inquire and research about questions they have, while also learning about agriculture and how food and other goods are produced.”

AISF project categories and components align with TEKS to reflect grade-level standards and material learned in the classroom.

Students can choose from five categories—Animal Science, Agronomy, Technology in Agriculture, Water Systems/Conservation and Sustainability in Agriculture—for their project.

“Inquiry-based learning challenges students to direct their own learning by asking questions and conducting research to learn the answers,” Walker said. “Focusing the inquiry on agriculture allows students to learn and become more informed consumers. Overall, this is a new program that we hope to see be very successful.”

As part of AISF, students will be required to submit a completed project that includes a 3-5 minute video presentation, a display that presents the inquiry and findings and a journal that tracks the progress of the inquiry.

Students will submit individual projects. Submissions are due by Nov. 13.

Judges will rank the project description and video to determine the projects that advance to the display round.

First, second and third place will be awarded for each category based on the scores for the display and written portions.

Winners will receive an award package with a variety of items included.

“In the first year of the program, we wanted to focus on one grade rather than a large number of students in multiple grades,” Walker said. “We selected fifth grade this year per a recommendation from our network of educators, but our hope is to expand grade-level participation in the future.”

And TFB hopes to continue to cultivate a deeper understanding of agriculture in young students.

“This is a unique opportunity that hopefully encourages students to engage in inquiry-based learning that incorporates concepts learned in the classroom, while also learning more about agriculture as it relates to their lives every day,” Walker said.

For more information on project details and the online application, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

Questions can be directed to Walker at edoutreach@txfb.org or 254.751.2569.