Innerst Capstone Presentation

Becoming an Animal Nutritionist

Lane InnerstEDAM 5039

Dr. HiltJuly 22, 2009

• My capstone project deals with enhancing my animal science unit on nutrition.

• I chose to enhance my animal science unit on nutrition because it is very important for students to understand– why animals need balanced diets– how to provide them with the proper nutrients.

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• The students will become nutritionists and avid users of lab equipment, computer programs, technology and collaboration.

• The unit will conclude with a selected-response exam and a performance assessment.

• The collaborative, performance-based assessment is a three part assignment which will consist of experiments and ration development, publishing the new ration and presentation of findings.

• The students will better comprehend and be more enthused to be learning about nutrition.

Student-centered

• Students will become nutritionists. • They will determine which animal they want to

develop a ration for and will have to find information on the feedstuffs that are most economical to the producer.

• They will also be locating their own sources of research for their ration development.

• There will be minimal input from the teacher.

Learning and Doing

• Agriculture is all about learning and doing, so this project is nothing short of lots of learning and doing. The students will actually be experimenting to determine protein levels in feeds, then formulating an ideal ration which will be presented to the class via a brief presentation and persuasive product.

Using information

• This project will force students to be constantly searching for information that will aid in their ration development.

• They will utilize computer programs that will help them calculate the percentages of feedstuffs in the feed and also for their presentations.

• They will also use information from their ration to develop a persuasive product.

• They will use the information they obtain as a culminating activity of an ideal ration.

Facilitator

• This project will help ensure that I am the facilitator and not the lecturer.

• I plan to introduce basic nutrition information.

• Then we will hold daily meetings for any questions.

• They will come to me only if they still cannot figure out their problem after asking at least two other students.

Higher-order thinking skills

• This project will force the students to take basic recall of information and turn it into a deeper understanding of nutrition.

• They will be given the formulas to calculate the amount of protein and they will need to ensure that their ideas have the proper protein levels for their desired animal.

• They will also have to reason over the various ingredients in the ration and which one would be most economical for our area.

Interdisciplinary• This project will not only encompass science,

it would also incorporate mathematics for the calculating of protein and proper nutrient levels.

• Students will have to use economic and reasoning skills to determine how efficient and economical the ingredients they chose would be for our area.

• The science behind this project would be the discussions on nutrition and the lab experiments that will aid in the students determining protein levels.

• Writing, speaking and publishing skills will be utilized as well during assessment.

Collaboration

• The students will be working in small heterogeneous groups.

• They will be working together to develop and calculate a ration.

• It will also allow them to communicate with industry professionals to improve their collaborative efforts and communication skills.

Performance-based assessments

• This entire unit is based on performance.

• The students will become nutritionists and will offer a new ration that should be economical and made of local ingredients, which meet the protein requirements.

• They will also prepare a bulletin describing their new feed.

• A presentation will be graded while being presented to industry professionals and veterinarians.

Multiple sources of information, including technology

• The students will use various learning tools to find information on nutrition and feedstuffs.

• They will utilize the internet, various nutrition textbooks and websites, computer programs, nutritionists and veterinarians.

• There will be podcasts and videos to help them if they become confused or need clarification.

By having multiple sources of information, they should have no problem with developing their ration to meet the necessary requirements.

Technology integrated into the classroom

• They will use technology to – research, – prepare presentations – promote their ration via products

• Webpage, Brochure, Podcast, etc.

• Teacher led unit introductions and various debriefings during the ration research and development process will be available with technology.

Teachers addressing the learning styles of all learners

• I will determine the students’ learning styles prior to this project via a learning style inventory.

• I will host multiple meetings with smaller groups of students during the process.

• I will differentiate instructional methods for the students by providing them with various podcasts, articles, data and computer programs that will help them become better nutritionists.

Using a variety of information to complete authentic projects

• This project will include PowerPoint presentations to introduce the material to the students.

• Then they will receive a letter describing their mission and the requirements.

• They will be able to access information from various websites, podcasts, articles, computer programs on nutrition and information from actual nutritionists.

Students acting as a professional in the discipline

• The project will give the students the opportunity to become nutritionists.

• They will design and perfect a ration that will be economical, feasible for our area, and meet the protein requirements for the specific animal.

• Then they will share their findings with industry professionals.

6 weeks in length

Week 1: Introduction of Nutrition Concepts, Letter with Ration Mission, Initial Ingredient Research

Week 2 (beginning): Discussions with nutritionists and veterinarians as secondary research to help determine proper ingredients.

Week 2 (Mid) – Week 4: Students will begin determining which ingredients would be best suited for their ration and analyze them in the lab setup, which would include determining the amount of protein and fiber present in the feed.

They will then develop at least two different rations and calculate costs of each ration.

Week 4 (End): Discussions with feed mill representatives to determine most economical ingredients for their rations.

Week 5: Final developments of ration, bulletin (promotional product) and presentation development for feed industry representatives

Week 6: Student presentations and final nutrition exam.

Inquiry• I will allow the students an opportunity to

become nutritionists.• Then they will discover the best method of

feeding their desired animal with the most economical and beneficial feedstuffs.

• They will be able to experiment and get actual protein levels that will then be used to calculate the ideal ration.

Projects• They will be required to find

information and record it in their research journals.

• They will then have to collect their data and research to find a list of ingredients that are feasible to use.

• They will have an opportunity to discuss their ideas and options with nutritionists and feed mill representatives.

• As a culminating project, they will prepare the ration, a bulletin describing and advertising it and a presentation to sell their new product to feed mills.

Technology• Technology would be present in the project as well, as

I would prepare PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, discussion boards.

• The students will also have the opportunity to become technology experts as they delve through lots of nutrition research on the internet, listen to industry professionals via vodcasts, utilize computer programming to develop their ration and create a presentation.

Dynamic, flexible grouping

• Dynamic, Flexible Grouping will be used to ensure that the students are able to work through this authentic experience.

• I will group the students heterogeneously so that all students will get the same opportunities for learning.

• I will modify and adjust to aid those groups who are having difficulty.

Authentic Teaching and Learning Experiences

• By giving them a choice on which animal and feedstuffs they want to research, they should be more motivated and learn more. learning to make it more authentic.

• By giving them a specific task and an opportunity to develop a new feed, they will become nutritionists and gain a better understanding of nutrients and the economical decisions that feed companies and producers must make.

• Communication with industry professionals will improve authenticity.

Are You a Professional ______________________ Nutritionist? (insert specific animal) Nutrition Unit Performance-based Assessment Assignments Rubric

/150

Totals

There was no presentation given.

One of the four members presented, only a description of ration ingredients, did not include information about availability, digestibility and economics, pictures/videos missing, at least 5 minutes

Two of the four members presented, brief description of ration and ingredients including availability, digestibility and economics, few pictures/videos included, at least 10 minutes

Three of the four members presented, adequate description of ration and ingredients including availability, digestibility and economics, several pictures/videos included, at least 15 minutes

Each member contributed to presentation, detailed description of ration and ideal ingredients including availability, digestibility and economics, pictures/videos included, at least 20 minutes

Presentation

Did not complete a finished product persuading animal owners to purchase their feed.

Multimedia created product includes an explanation of ration but doesn’t persuade audience that ration is the best based on economics and ingredient choices, used at least one picture/video, messy presentation, more than six grammar errors

Multimedia created product includes a brief explanation of ration and almost persuades audience that ration is the best based on economics and ingredient choices, used at least two pictures/video, semi-neat, four-six grammar errors

Multimedia created product includes an adequate explanation of ration and persuades audience that ration is the best based on economics and ingredient choices, used at least three pictures/video, neat and creative, two – four grammar errors

Multimedia created product includes a detailed explanation of ration and persuades audience that ration is the best based on economics and ingredient choices, used at least four pictures/video, neat and creative, free from grammar mistakes

Published Product (Write in your choice !)

Did not develop a ration.

Did not follow lab procedures safely, improper protein levels of ingredients determined via lab, incorrect calculation of ingredients using Pearson square, chose random ingredients, did not meet nutritional requirements

Followed most lab procedures safely, proper protein levels of ingredients determined via lab, incorrect calculation of ingredients using Pearson square, chose legitimate ingredients and would have met nutritional requirements of animal if calculations were correct

Followed lab procedures safely, improper protein levels of ingredients determined via lab, correct calculation of ingredients using Pearson square, chose legitimate ingredients and met nutritional requirements

Followed lab procedures safely, proper protein levels of ingredients determined via lab, correct calculation of ingredients using Pearson square, chose legitimate ingredients and met nutritional requirements of animal

Ration Development

Unpaid

0Amateur

34-30Apprentice

39-35Qualified

44-40Professional 50-45

Standards

Ration Development• 1.8.11.B – Locate information using appropriate sources and

strategies.• 2.5.11.A – Select and use appropriate mathematical concepts and

techniques from different areas of mathematics and apply them to solving non-routine and multi-step

problems.• 3.2.10.C - Apply the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems.• 3.3.12.B – Analyze the chemical and structural basis

of living organisms.• 3.7.10.B – Apply appropriate instruments and apparatus to examine a

variety of objects and processes.• 3.7.10.D – Utilize computer software to solve specific problems.• 3.7.10.E – Apply basic computer communications systems.• 10.1.12.C – Factors that impact the nutritional choices of adults (cost,

nutritional knowledge, dietary changes) – (Though the project is not related to human nutrition, I felt that this standard

can be utilized using animal information because of the requirements of the assessment.)

Publishing of New Ration 1.4.11.C – Write persuasive pieces.1.5.11.A – Write with a sharp distinct focus.1.5.11.B – Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.1.5.11.C – Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.1.6.11.F – Use media for learning purposes.3.7.10.D – Utilize computer software to solve specific problems.

Presentation1.6.11.A – Listen to others.1.6.11.C – Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.1.6.11.F – Use media for learning purposes.3.7.10.D – Utilize computer software to solve specific problems.

Curricular Objectives

The curricular objectives that will be met following the implementation of this capstone project are as follows:

Ration Development• determine possible feed ingredients for

their ration by finding valid research based on their animal

• determine and analyze protein levels of various ingredients using lab equipment and burning feed samples to obtain protein levels

• establish a ration with at least two ingredients meeting the protein requirements for the animal

The students will be able to…

Publishing of New Ration• create a product (typed bulletin, webpage, news

article, podcast) using multimedia to persuade audience that the new ration is the best

• use technological tools to develop a method to publish their new ration

Presentation• explain why their ration is the best based on

ingredients, digestibility and economical reasons• create a presentation using multimedia that will

explain the new ration

Technology

• Teacher– Introductory Material – Use textbook and internet information on

nutrition to develop PowerPoints, podcasts and videos.– Podcasts and Websites – For supplemental information during

meetings.– Would obtain help from CFF coach for issues with technological

tools.

• Students– Access to Internet for research, communication, analyzing data

and publishing new ration.– More time scheduled in computer lab to accommodate this unit.– Various websites that would provide dietary requirements of

animals that students are researching.

Learning Style Inventory

• I will use the LSI that I created on Surveymonkey.com to monitor prior knowledge of nutrition as well as learning style.

• http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Vqk5idg2r1iYVFRXw24CgQ_3d_3d

Lab Equipment

• General lab set-up to run protein analysis would be needed for more efficient ration development.

• I will ask the science department if I can borrow Bunsen burners and other lab materials for the duration of my nutrition unit.

Industry Professionals

• I will invite various nutritionists and veterinarians into class to discuss feedstuffs and rations.

• They will return to listen to the students’ presentations on their new rations and provide feedback.

• There are many veterinarians and feed mills located near our school, so this should not be a problem.

• I hope to motivate my students to be more engaged in the learning process surrounding nutrition. By allowing them more access to industry professionals, technology and community learning, my goal is to show them how to be nutritionists, even for a brief time period.

• If the students are able to develop a ration and discuss why it is the right one and economical, then I believe that they learned something from the project.

• I also plan to assess them via a selected-response type test to check for general understanding. I believe that the best way to determine if my project’s implementation was successful will be to ask the students what they gained from the unit and also via teacher observations during the unit.

• I have a great feeling that, though this unit will be a challenge to most students, it will motivate them to achieve greater things and become better learners.

• All clipart taken from Microsoft Office Clip Art Gallery.