AgroWorld: Science, Technology and Society
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 
 A Resource for SECONDARY EDUCATORS

Welcome to AgroWorld!

This bimonthly E-zine has been developed for the secondary educator and their students. Each issue features current events, classroom resources, activities, and grant opportunities that enhance standards based on science, applied technology, and social studies curricula.

News you can use in your classroom today!

For more information or to check out your state's resources, visit us on the web at www.agclassroom.org


SCIENCE
The Apple as Planet Earth Animation
apple In this animation learn about Earth's limited land resources suitable for growing crops.
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Your World Magazine
Magazine The Biotechnology Institute publishes Your World: Biotechnology & You, the premier biotechnology magazine for grades 7 to 12, twice a year. Your World combines balanced, in-depth information on a single topic with an online teacher's guide that contains links to National Education Standards, tips on how to use the magazine, and additional exercises.
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What is Embryo Rescue?
Grapes Grapes like Sweet Scarlet and Scarlet Royal likely wouldn't
exist were it not for a laboratory
technique known as "embryo rescue." (See page 5.)
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TECHNOLOGY
Electroactive Bioplastics from Corn
Scientists Today's robots are nimbler than ever thanks to artificial muscles made of conductive polymers derived from cornstarch. This "plastic" bends, bulges, and contracts when stimulated by electricity. Efforts are also underway to put these same polymers to work in biomedical applications, specialized sensors, light-emitting diodes, and even the next generation of robotic Mars rovers.
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Ethanol from Citrus Peel Waste?
CitrusWith the recent wild fluctuations in gasoline prices, there's renewed interest in finding a cheaper way to fill up the gas tank. What about converting citrus peel waste into ethanol? Citrus waste materials are rich in pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulosic polysaccharides, which can be hydrolyzed into sugars and fermented into alcohol.
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Biomass Lesson Plans
BiomassBiomass as a source of energy is gaining greater attention as world leaders seek alternatives for petroleum-based fuels. This comprehensive instructional unit provides teachers with lesson plans to explore alternative energy sources.
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SOCIETY
Growing a Nation
Growing a NationGrowing a Nation is a multimedia Flash program that chronologically presents significant historical events and focuses on the important role agriculture has played in America's development. Students learn about how agricultural events have changed American culture, economics, and the way they live. Check out the website for primary resources, lesson plans, a timeline and historical photos and films.
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Cotton: Field to Fabric in Forty Frames
Cotton PickerThis online presentation describes the major steps involved in producing and processing cotton, a great visual to see how far cotton has come since the Industrial Revolution. Other cotton educational resources can be found on this page.
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America the Bountiful
Victory GardenFood is a major facet of civilization and food in America has played a major role in American culture. This online exhibit chronicles the use of ten classic American food groups (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, potatoes, corn, greens, wheat, beans, and apples) and links them to major historical events.
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Agriculture in the Classroom