Department of Agricultural Education & Studies

Got a question?

Graduate Programs: Greg Miller 515-294-2583 / Undergraduate Programs: Mike Retallick 515-294-4810

Return to List

Graduate Student Scholarly Work

 

Meischen, D.L. (2002). Rural elementary students’ livestock and meat concepts literacy: Understanding of agricultural and science benchmarks. Master’s thesis.

Agricultural and science educators have deemed agriculture literacy important to people of all ages. Industry leaders have also noted the importance of having a society that is agriculturally literate. Educational benchmarks were developed for school age children that supported this call for a basic level of agriculture literacy. Little research has been conducted, however, that assess what students understand about agriculture. This qualitative study attempted to add to that body of knowledge by unearthing the understandings of rural fifth grade students about meat and livestock benchmarks. Overall the students had a basic understanding of the origin of food and the process from farm to consumer. Their understandings about modern farm size and structure, however, were not compatible with expert propositions. There was also a lack of understanding about the use of cattle by-products and the causes of food spoilage and methods of preventing food spoilage. Agricultural and science educators as well as industry leaders could increase agriculture literacy levels by providing experiences for student with livestock and meat, as most of these students had no direct experience with farm animals. Also, helping students understand subconcepts may increase understanding of more complex concepts. More studies following a similar research protocol would add to the knowledge that educators now have about student understanding. This would lead to better curriculum that challenges students’ existing knowledge structures.