Ag Science Academy
209.830.3360 x. 2080
STACY BROWNE, COORDINATOR
sbrowne@tusd.net
Merry Zimmermann, Academies Secretary
mzimmermann@tusd.net
APPLICATION/Information
ACADEMY APPLICATION DUE 12/3
About the Academy
The Academy is designed as an alternative program option at Tracy High School for students with a strong interest in science or agriculture. The Academy also helps students explore undecided career options. The goal of the program is to help students meet their individual educational goals.
Students in both science and agriculture will be intrigued by this program. The core classes of English, Social Studies and Science are loosely integrated to provide a continuity of learning and an appreciation of how science and agriculture impact their lives.
The Academy offers to each student:
1) a four year core curriculum which integrates skills from various academic areas; and meets University of California A-G entrance requirements.
2) exposure to interesting careers through Saturday Seminars;
3) exploration of careers through Job Shadowing
4) a drawing together of skills which will be demonstrated through an Academy Project and formal presentation.
Students completing all the components of this flexible program will receive a bronze medallion and certificate of completion in addition to their high school diploma. Students will also have completed a professional portfolio which will highlight their accomplishments and skill.
Academy Key Components
The program offers many opportunities for success:
* Integrated Curriculum Freshman and Sophomore years
* Thematic, problem based units
* Team Building Day
* Introduction to the research process
* Lower student-to-staff ratio
* Dedicated staff
* Study sessions
* Demonstration Portfolio
* Serious focus on skill development
* Select Pathway
* Portfolio Update
* Design & complete Senior Project
* Senior Project-Formal Presentation
* Final Portfolio
* Awards Banquet, Additional Diploma and Medal
* Saturday Seminars (Sophomores)
* Job Shadowing (Juniors/Seniors)
* an Academy Project (Juniors/Seniors)
* a Four Year Portfolio to chronicle the high school academy years
SCIENCE FIELDS: Tracy is home to many families that work at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Sandia National Lab and in the Silicon Valley. These research facilities have many Nobel Prize-winning scientists. A strong foundation of science and technology are opportunities open to Academy students whose interests include medicine, biology, and the sciences.
AGRICULTURAL FIELDS: Agriculture is the number one industry in the state of California. There is a need for demanding curriculum to meet the increasing employment demands in production, environmental science, resource management and plant and animal sciences. Students
Ag Sci Brochure
LATEST NEWSLETTERAGSCINewsletter12-2021.pdf
Summer Reading Instructions
ALCATRAZ ISLAND
FFA/AGRICULTURE
Agriculture Classes Offered for THS Students
FFA participation is required in all Agriculture classes and is considered a part of each student’s grade
- Agricultural Biology - 3104 UC/CSU Category d-Lab Science
- Small Animals and Horses - 5331
- Shop Skills 1 - 5313
- Shop Skills 2 - 5314
- Wood 1 - 5103
- Welding - 5363
- Agricultural Earth Science – 3004
- New Panel
- Landscape Management - 5343
- Meat Processing - 5393
- Animal Physiology - 3135
- Veterinary Science – 3110
- Forestry and Wildlife - 3114
- Floriculture II ROP - 3520
- ROP Veterinary Skills
Agricultural Biology - 3104 UC/CSU Category d-Lab Science
Small Animals and Horses - 5331
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9
Course Length-1year
This course covers the care and management of laboratory animals. Rats, reptiles, dogs, cats, guinea
pigs, hamsters, mice and rabbits are
studied with limited handling experiences provided. The horse section covers the care and management of horses. Breeds of horses, horse selection, horse tack, equipment, and facilities are also part of this course.
Shop Skills 1 - 5313
Shop Skills 2 - 5314
Prerequisite: Completion of Shop Skills 1
Grade Level: 10
Course Length: 1 year
Shop Skills 2 is a continuation of Shop Skills I. It is designed to meet the needs of those students who wish to continue to enhance their mechanical skills in a number of areas. In addition, it will prepare students to enter into advanced classes at a higher skill level. Students will build projects in each of the areas to learn and demonstrate their skills.
Wood 1 - 5103
Welding - 5363
1 hour ROP
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
This course covers safety, tools, arc welding, MIG Welding, TIG Welding, acetylene welding, brazing, acetylene cutting, and metal working. As students become proficient, they will construct projects which include welding skills. Can be taken a 2nd year with students involved in construction projects. 2 + 2 Articulation with Modesto Junior College and San Joaquin Delta College.
Agricultural Earth Science – 3004
UC/CSU Category g-Elective
Grade Level: 10, 11
Course Length: 1 year
This course is a laboratory science course, designed for the college bound student with career interest in agriculture. Using agriculture as a learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles and practices of Earth Science. The course will demonstrate the relevance of Earth Science in
agriculture to each student’s life and environment. Meets the high school graduation requirement for
physical science.
New Panel
Landscape Management - 5343
2 hour ROP
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
This course emphasizes all phases of the landscape industry. Skills learned ranged from landscape drafting, design, irrigation system, concrete work, and all other related skills. Students will be able to use their skills and knowledge on actual landscape projects on campus and off campus. (ROP classes can be taken 2 consecutive years for credit.)
Meat Processing - 5393
2 hour ROP
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
Meat processing techniques include slaughtering, meat cutting, wrapping, meat curing, sausage making, and use of meat processing tools. Beef, pork, and lamb are actually processed by students to gain the skills needed for employment. (ROP classes can be taken 2 consecutive years for credit.)
Animal Physiology - 3135
Veterinary Science – 3110
UC/CSU Category g- Elective
Prerequisite: Ag/Science Academy Junior, Animal Physiology or Adv. Biology, Algebra 1, or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
This advanced level course will introduce the knowledge and skills needed to pursue further training as an animal health technician. This course will combine a strong academic curriculum with ample hands-on experiences. The student will gain a working knowledge of animal behavior, handling and restraint, nutrition and disease. Labs include bacteriology, parasitology, urinalysis, fecal analysis and dissection. Both small and large animal species will be studied.
Forestry and Wildlife - 3114
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
This course covers all the major areas of forestry and wildlife.
Units covered are: forest management, forest conservation, tree identification, lumber identification, history of abuse and depletion of wildlife, extinction, habit requirements, wildlife identification, and other related
topics.
Floriculture II ROP - 3520
Prerequisite: Floriculture I or Teacher approval
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
This course will train students in floral design, Marketing, Display Preparation, Sales, Employability Skills, Floral Identification, cut Flower Production, and Floral Career Opportunities. Program projects will be marketed on campus and in the community. Students will learn Leadership and record keeping through FFA and SAE projects. This class is taught at West High School during first period (7:50-8:48 a.m.). Students must be in FFA and have Ms. Maddux’s (Ag department Chair) approval prior to registering for this class.
ROP Veterinary Skills
Prerequisite: Animal Physiology or ROP Meat Processing and Veterinary Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: 1 year
Students will receive online course work combined with hours of hands-on lab activities in the classroom then practicing what has been learned in a veterinary clinic or environment. Students choosing to take the certification test and pass at the end of the year will receive Veterinary Assistant Certification while those passing
the class with a C or higher will receive a program completion certificate. The class will utilize the Animal Care Technologies (ACT) and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) Certified Veterinary Assistant Training Program Online. The CVA Online Program delivers the curriculum anywhere, anytime. Upon completion, a certificate is issued demonstrating one's competency in the basic skills required of a veterinary assistant. This is a CVA course.
WINCHESTER MYSTERY TRIP
Ag/Sci tries to have experiential learning field trips each year!
SATURDAY SEMINAR
