Animal Science
Animal Science (CASE ASA)
Course Details
Length: Trimester
Credits: 1 (H.S. Science Credit or Elective)
Grades: 10-12
Description
Students will engage in a variety of classroom activities to help them better understand and learn about the animal industry, livestock production, animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, digestion, reproduction, animal agriculture in other countries, animal ethics, and animal disease. Students will learn how animal agriculture applies to their everyday life and will investigate animals ranging from house pets such as dogs and cats to large animals ranging from horses, cattle, swine, and wildlife. Activities will range from possible field trips to hands-on labs with actual animals. This course will prepare students for careers as a veterinarian, animal production, animal scientist, research, biologist, and many more.
Areas of Study:
1. History and the Use of Animals 5. Swine
2. Animal Handling and Safety 6. Sheep/Goats
3. Common Livestock Breeds 7. Poultry/Horse/Alternative
4. Cattle 8. Meat Science
Unique Capstone Project!
Broiler Production and Processing
The Aplington-Parkersburg Agricultural Sciences course named Animal Science has a capstone project each trimester. They begin the trimester with the purchase of Cornish Rock broilers (meat chickens). Throughout the trimester students will engage in the feeding, watering, cleaning, maintaining, and general care of the chickens. Towards the end of the trimester, students will harvest the broilers with a licensed and inspected professional from the industry. From start to finish chickens are taken care of and harvested in the most humane and respectable way possible. This is one of the most valuable and authentic learning experiences students at A-P High School participate in. Don't believe us? Check out testimonials from former students:
"It teaches students the truth behind chicken harvesting and gives them the opportunity to do something that they wouldn't usually be able to do. It is very eye opening and it shows that animal harvesting isn't the disgusting practice people make it out to be" - Kaci K.
"I think every student at A-P should go through the process of harvesting the chickens because it was overall a fun experience and I think that I would probably do it again if I was asked. Doing the process wasn't as bad as I expected and doesn't take long at all. All students should participate in harvesting of the chickens." - Gabe J.
"I think it is a very educational experience. As much as what we learn in a classroom is important- I believe that hands on learning is the best. Actually harvesting the chickens ourselves gave us a better idea of what it is actually like. It also made the whole thing a lot more real than just watching a video. Being able to harvest the chickens ourselves and process them on our own with some help was a very real experience that brings the whole thing to reality a lot more." - Sara E.
"I would recommend it because it is good to see how things go from living... to what we see in the store. Especially how it does not just appear like that and is otherwise so convenient." - Savannah B.