In Horticulture, students briefly explore important subfields of horticulture and then delve into the processes of growing and maintaining their own plants, including germinating plants, making cuttings, and growing plants in both soil and hydroponics media. They explore plant classification, structure, and reproduction. They are introduced to the forestry industry, tree identification, and ecology and conservation concerns in horticulture and forestry.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
- Conduct a plant germination experiment.
- Learn and experiment with plant growth requirements.
- Learn major plant groups and identify vascular plant structures.
- Dissect a flower and identify its reproductive structures.
- Learn and practice methods of asexual plant propagation.
- Explore the extent of the United States forest industry.
- Use a dichotomous key to identify forest trees by leaf type.
- Consider ecology and conservation concerns in horticulture and forestry.
ACTIVITIES
Students complete three performance assessments: 1) Plant Requirements – explain and demonstrate experiments showing plant growth requirements including nutrients, water, and type of growth medium; 2) Plant Propagation – make and grow a plant cutting and propagate a potato from an eye; and 3) Forestry – differentiate between hardwood and softwood trees and identify tree leaves using a dichotomous key.