Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and are central to human, animal, environmental, and planetary health. They play a particularly important role in the food chain and the production of high-quality, safe, and health-promoting foods, especially fermented foods. This important role is not always apparent to members of the public. Here, we…

Describes an activity in which students try to assess the problematics of modifying brackish saline water to grow high-quality crops. Students grow seedlings in solution culture over a two-week period to learn about the effects of salts, ions, and essential plant nutrients. (WRM)

Points out agriculture's central position in the human economy and advocates its placement in liberal education. Provides a list of topics highlighting agriculture in the history of science and technology curriculum. Discusses the potential for using agriculture material in undergraduate science courses. (ML)

Outlines how a structured visit to the supermarket can support the scientific study of food and farming. Describes various ways that teachers can use an industry-produced curriculum package in conjunction with a field trip to the grocery store and classroom study. (WRM)

Describes exercises to examine the global carbon cycle. Students are asked to predict consequences of increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and to suggest ways to mitigate problems associated with these higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. A comparison modeling exercise examines some of the variables related to the success…

Reports on a study involving open-ended interviews of a sample of international agriculture students at the University of Minnesota. Presents findings about the students' agricultural backgrounds, the agricultural situations in the students' home countries, and the students' assessments of their education in the United States. (TW)

Describes some instructional modules that focus on the interactions of science, technology and society and are designed for insertion into existing school courses and curricula. Provides review criteria and reviews modules on the farm crisis, land use, life styles, and ecological issues. Includes a complete module outline on food and agriculture.…

Describes the development of a computer simulation model of forage-beef production systems, which is intended to incorporate soil, forage, and animal decisions into an enterprise scenario. Produces a summary of forage production and livestock needs. Cites positive assessment of the program's value by participants in inservice training workshops.…