California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC) is excited to introduce a new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum, “Steer” Toward STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture.

CFAITC’s mission is to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture among California's educators and students.

To accomplish this mission, their goals include:

• To develop accurate, teacher-tested and scientifically sound classroom materials to enhance the educational experience of K-12 students in any learning environment.
• To provide programs and training opportunities to explore the sources of our food and other agricultural products, and how these daily necessities arrive from the fields to our own homes.
• To create awareness in classrooms and communities about the significance of agriculture in our everyday lives.
• To partner with like-minded organizations to share our appreciation of agriculture with a broad audience.
• To recognize teachers and students who work as advocates of agricultural literacy.
• To support the pursuit of agricultural careers and continuing education.

To achieve these goals, CFAITC has created an Agricultural Literacy Coalition, comprised of more than 100 individuals representing educational and agricultural entities who share a common goal: a commitment, individually and cumulatively, to the development, discovery and distribution of educational resources and opportunities heightening agricultural awareness.

“Steer” Toward STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture is a five-lesson unit for grades 3-5 that promotes the development of STEM abilities and critical thinking skills, while fostering an appreciation for the people involved in livestock production.

The curriculum includes real-life challenges for students to investigate, inquiry-based labs, and opportunities to plan and construct models.

Featured careers include animal physiologist, agricultural engineer, range manager, animal nutritionist, and animal geneticist.

To download a copy of the curriculum, visit www.LearnAboutAg.org/414 .

For more information, contact Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Claudia Street at 707-263-0911.