Agriculture in the classroom - Nova Scotia

Agriculture in the Classroom - Nova Scotia helps students learn where their food comes from, the importance of agriculture, and careers available in the industry. Teachers can apply for free programs and resources that support curriculum outcomes and competency development.

Agriculture in the Classroom - Nova Scotia teaches about food – where it comes from, what is grown in Nova Scotia, what modern farms look like, and careers in the agriculture and food sectors. Agriculture in the Classroom offers inquiry-based learning experiences – from hatching chicks and growing plants in your classroom to off-site trips to explore agricultural careers and technology.

Agriculture in the Classroom - Nova Scotia has resources available for all grade levels and continues to add more each year. Resources are free for Nova Scotia public school teachers. Please review the list below to see which programs are the best fit for your classroom:

A Pollinator's Habitat and its Connection to Agriculture
A learning experience exploring the importance of pollinators to crops in Nova Scotia and their necessary habitats.

Ag Zone: Exploring Agricultural Science, Technology and Careers
Grade 7 students will visit a Nova Scotia post-secondary campus for an interactive agriculture and science program. Students will see the connection between science, agriculture and agricultural careers.

Agricultural Career Fair Kits
Agricultural Career Fair Kits are loaned to farmers and agricultural professionals who are attending school or public career fairs.

Agriculture and Renewable Energy
Classroom resources to support curriculum outcomes related to renewable energy for Grade 6 Science and Math teachers, using biogas as an example. Also available in French.

All Kinds of Apples
Early elementary school students will learn about different types of apples grown in Nova Scotia. Also available in French.

Digging Deeper Soils resource
A learning experience exploring the properties of soil and the effects of agricultural practices on the environmental and climate for grade 7 and 8 science. Also available in French.

Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month – Teacher Registration
Grade 3 students will learn about the farming industry and agricultural careers from guest speakers. Guest speakers will also help students plant mystery seeds, which will remain in the classroom.

Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month – Volunteer Registration
Volunteers from the agriculture industry are needed to support Grade 3 students in learning about the farming industry and agricultural careers.

Care Storybook
Care is a colourful storybook to teach primary and grade 1 students about animal welfare.

Career Case game
The Career Case game shows students in Grades 9-12 the diversity, variety and importance of careers in agriculture. Also available in French.

Explore Farming in Nova Scotia: From Honeybees to Maple Trees
Explore Farming in Nova Scotia is a full-colour book for later elementary grades to learn about Nova Scotia’s farming industry. Also available in French.

Explore Farming in Nova Scotia Colouring Book
The Explore Farming in Nova Scotia Colouring Book is suitable for early elementary grades to learn about Nova Scotia’s farming industry. Also available in French.

Grow Where You’re Planted Event Registration
Student registration for the event being held at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in June 2022

Hatching chicks in classrooms
Elementary school students can experience chicks hatching in the classroom. Also available in French.

High Performance Plant "Diets": Optimizing Plant Nutrition for Plant Yield, Human Health and a Sustainable Environment
A hands-on learning experience for grade 11 students, learners will determine which fertilizer treatment is the most advantageous for growing a crop like lettuce and radish.

How to harness the power of enzymes to make the best cheese
A learning experience exploring the biology of cheese making, for Biology 11 and 12 classrooms and Food Science 12.

Looking for Local
A learning experience exploring food insecurity and buying local for grade 8 Food and Nutrition classrooms.

Math on the Farm
Grade 8 classrooms can use this fun resource to support math 8 curriculum including using percentages and ratios.

Little Green Sprouts Classroom Garden
Hands-on learning and inquiry into seeds, nutrition, soil science, plant needs, and how food is grown.  Grow microgreens, lettuce, herbs and more as part of the Little Green Sprouts program for Grade 2 to Grade 5 classrooms. Also available in French.

Nova Scotia School Garden Resource Guide
The Nova Scotia School Garden Resource Guide is a tool to help teachers and school staff design, resource and build a garden that can be used to meet curriculum outcomes. This guide is suitable for multiple subjects and grade levels, and is also available in French.

On Nova Scotia Farms: A Guide to Nova Scotia Agriculture and Activity Book
On Nova Scotia Farms is a reference guide providing an overview of the agriculture sector for teachers. Also available in French.

Pre-primary resources
Pre-primary teachers can apply to receive Agriculture in the Classroom activities. These activities promote learning through interactive play-based activities and a children’s book about caring for animals. Also available in French.

Pkwiman Wild Blueberry Resource
A learning experience exploring the ecological and cultural significance of wild blueberries in Mi’kmaki and Wabanaki for grade 7 Science and Grade 8 Social Studies. Also available in French.

Simple Machines on the Farm
Classroom resources to support curriculum outcomes related to simple and compound machine outcomes for Grade 5 science teachers, using farm machinery as examples.

Soil your Undies: measuring soil health with underwear
Soil your Undies is an experiential test of microbial activity in soil. Students learn the biology of different soils by burying 100% cotton underwear.

The Quest for the Perfect Strawberry: An Adventure in Plant Reproduction
Compare sexual and asexual reproduction in strawberries with a hands-on activity while learning about crop breeding and strawberry production for Grade 9 Science teachers, using strawberries as an example. Also available in French.

Using acid-base chemistry to produce the best cheese
A learning resource for grade 11 and 12 chemistry about the use of acid-base chemistry in cheese production.

Weather on the Farm – Grade 5 classroom resource
Grade 5 science, social studies and math teachers can apply for classroom resources about weather and how it affects crops. Resources include a lesson plan, student activities and staff support. Also available in French.

What’s in your Lunchbox: resource for late elementary students
What’s in your Lunchbox is a hands-on, interactive resource for late elementary students. Students learn which crops, animals and plant parts are needed to make the foods that they commonly eat. Also available in French.

Working with the Sea: Nova Scotia Dykelands and Climate Change
A learning resource for grade 12 global geography classes about dykelands in Nova Scotia and globally.

Visit a virtual farm with Journey 2050
Students in grades 7-12 can learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture through interactive video game play.

Other resources

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C)

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) provide students and educators with quality educational resources, programs, initiatives, and other agricultural information that highlight agriculture as an important part of our economy and way of life.

ThinkAg

Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada (AITC-C) has developed a new website and online resources dedicated to helping students learn about the diverse and exciting career opportunities in the agriculture and food industry.

snapAG

Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada (AITC-C) has developed short information sheets on hot topics in the agriculture and food industry. Topics range from organics, biotechnology, GMO’s, livestock and more.

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