Let's Get This Thing Started! SAE Visit #2
- Apr 20, 2023
- 3 min read
As you remember from my previous blog post "What's Your Passion? SAE Visit #1" a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) is a student-designed project that allows students to explore their passions in agriculture. For this visit, I got to visit Derick Miller, a student that I have in my Agriculture Foundation class. Derick has a very unique opportunity because his family owns and runs a 300-acre produce operation. Derick is in 9th grade but has been working for his family ever since he was able to walk. Derick has been introduced to SAE in the Ag Foundations class but still doesn't fully understand the importance of SAE projects and how it can help in the future. Not only can Derick earn degrees and awards by completing an SAE project, but he can also earn credit, which will help him get into Sun Tech (a local tech school) during his senior year. So the main purpose of this visit is to see his family's operation but also explain to Derick and Derick's parents, how impactful SAE is.
Pre-Visit
Before we went to visit Derick, I wanted to talk to his parents to ensure they were comfortable and to answer any of their initial questions. In planning the visit, all of the communication was through Derick, and because I was a high schooler myself at one time I know that I was not good at communicating with my parents, which is why I decided that a call should be made to ensure the time, date, and the location was all nailed down and that the expectations for the visit were clear. The call was successful, now it is time to head to the farm!
The Visit
Derick just lives 10 minutes from the school in the next town over, which is where we started with the visit. At his house is a greenhouse and equipment shed. The greenhouse was getting preps to start seeds that will later be transplanted into the ground. The shed was absolutely full to the max with sprayers, tractors, wagons, plastic layers, plastic diggers, plows, and bins. We then got to travel another 10 minutes down the road to one of their 2 packing facilities where they wash the produced and pack them into crates to be loaded on tractor trailers and taken to the local stores, like Wies Markets.
Derick's Project
As of now, Derick is just an employee for his parents, so his project is called a placement. During the visit, Mrs. Fry explained that Derick could easily grow this project to be entrepreneurship if his parents wanted to allow him to take complete control over a few acres. Derick's Dad was on-board because he said that is how his Dad taught him and that's how he would love to teach Derick. But, until then Derick will continue to keep records based on his current placement project.
As I mentioned previously Derick was just briefly introduced to SAE in class, so I didn't have high expectations for this project. In Ag Foundation the students get a grade every month, for putting at least one entry in the AET each week. So far, Derick has not quite met his quota for class, so currently, his project would be rated lower than more experienced members. But, the best thing about this visit is that it is hopefully going to light a spark and help this project explode into something incredible. The biggest piece of advice given to Derick was to keep adding entries required by class and to seek guidance in school, so Mrs. Fry can walk him through the details of AET. Derick has a lot of potential and I am excited to check in a few years from now and see where this project goes.
Grace, What about Jacob's practice as a teacher would you want to bring back with you to central PA?
Grace, Why do we take students out of school for events like ACES?
Grace, What were your recommendations for the student to improve and grow their SAE?
Grace, I really liked how split your blog up into the major takeaway sections this week, and how you mentioned some really important highlights and key information. I couldn't agree more about classroom management. It is super hard to manage students and help them all when we are trying to learn and get comfortable with content and just learning the ins and outs of a classroom. But with time I think we can become pros! :)
Grace, I fully agree with your point that students will get frustrated when they are rushed but get bored fast if they are done early. I think that pacing element will come with time. Also, your point about making time for reflection and making those connections! Super important and one of those cases when we have to stop students working and recap, because if we don’t they miss the point or the “why” behind it all. Great job Grace! -Nicolette
Grace,
I think that this lab shows a great example of a time where students will have to show their problem solving skills in their real life. Not only was this lab beneficial it also was memorable. I hope I can use a lesson like this in my future program. Great job!
Grace, I loved your idea for this week's lab and problem solving approach. I greatly enjoyed it, and I am sure that in a more authentic experience taking this into the classroom that your students will love it even more!! You rocked it out of the park! The connection and motivation between the food and your lesson was awesome.
Grace I am incredibly jealous of your students! You are super innovate, passionate, and willing to meet students where they are. I thought the take-away from this lesson was DELICIOUS! Super job as always!
Grace,
You are great at reflecting! Way to organize your blog and give background to what we have learned in class! I look forward to hearing the answer of your question about re-approaching a topic students are not grasping.
Way to go this week!
Liz
Grace,
I really loved your reflection on the lessons you learned from this week's lesson. I also really like that you are willing to take a different approach to meet your students' needs. Awesome job!