ResearchBased SAE Programs

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Research-Based SAE Programs

• From National SAE Web Site
• Dr. Gary Moore

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Two Types of Research SAEs
You conduct a true experiment in an attempt to
solve a problem or learn new knowledge.
You study a problem. Because of the nature of
the problem, you cannot perform an experiment.
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Experimental SAEs

• An extensive activity where the student plans and
  conducts a major agricultural experiment using
  the scientific process. The purpose of the
  experiment is to provide "hands-on" experience
  in
• 1. Verifying, learning or demonstrating
  scientific principles in agriculture.
• 2. Discovering new knowledge.
• 3. Using the scientific process.

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Experimental SAE

• Experimental activities are particularly suited
  for those in agricultural classes where there is
  a strong emphasis on biotechnology or
  agriscience. Even in more traditional
  agricultural programs, experimental SAE
  activities can provide students whose career
  goals are in the areas of agriscience with
  valuable learning experiences.

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Experimental SAE Characteristics

• There is a control group
• This is a group of subjects (plants, animals,
  etc.) that receive no special treatment

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Experimental SAE Characteristics

• There is one or more experimental groups
• This group (or groups) receive the experimental
  treatment(s)

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Experimental SAE Characteristics

• Randomization is used
• Subjects are randomly assigned to groups (both
  control and experimental groups). If you were
  doing an experiment with 20 plants, you would
  randomly divide the plants into two groups of 10.
• You would randomly pick which group of plants
  would be the control group and which would
  receive the experimental treatment

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 1. Identify the problem to be investigated
• What do you have an interest in
• Is there some problem in your community that
  needs attention

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 2. Conduct a thorough review of the literature
• Read articles in magazines, research journals and
  on the internet to see what is already known
  about the problem
• Interview people who may have specialized
  knowledge in the area.
• Summarize what you have learned

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 3. Design the Experiment
• What will need to done to answer the research
  question?
• What treatment(s) will be used?
• Where will the experiment be conducted?
• What supplies and materials are needed?
• How long will it take?
• What procedures will be followed?

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 4. Formulate a hypothesis
• This is your educated guess about the outcome of
  the experiment.
• The hypothesis should be directional
• Treatment A will produced more pounds of gain
  than treatment B
• The experimental group will remain fresh longer
  than the control group.
• The weeds sprayed with treatment A will die more
  quickly than the weeds sprayed with treatments B
  and C.

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 5. Conduct the Experiment and
• 6. Collect the Data
• Regular observations and measurements will need
  to be made

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 7. Analyze the data and arrive at conclusions
• What do all your data (numbers and measurements)
  mean?
• What conclusions can be drawn from you
  experiment?
• Did one treatment work better than the others?
• What are your recommendations?

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Steps in Conducting an Experiment

• 8. Prepare the final report
• The final report can be a written document
  describing your research. In writing the report,
  you should follow the seven steps outlined up to
  this slide. You will probably want to use charts
  and graphs to depict your data.
• A display (like those used in science fairs) is
  also a good way to show what has been done.

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Research Terminology

• Independent Variable the variable you
  manipulate, the treatment
• Temperature
• Light
• Acidity
• Nutrients
• Soil type
• Time
• Magnetic Field

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Research Terminology

• Dependent Variable the measurement resulting
  from the application of the independent variable.
  This is normally some unit of measure.
• Gain in weight
• Percent survival
• Distance traveled per gallon

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Comparing the effect of various planting media on
  plant growth

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Determining the impact of different levels of
  protein on fish growth

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Comparing three rooting hormones on root
  development

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Analyzing the effectiveness of different display
  methods on plant sales in a garden center

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Demonstrating the impact of different levels of
  soil acidity on plant growth

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Examples of Experimental SAEs

• Determining the strength of welds using different
  welding methods

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Experimental SAE

• A quality experimental SAE should
• Have specific objectives
• Follow the scientific process
• Involve a number of steps
• Focus on an important agricultural/scientific
  issue, question or principle
• Be of sufficient size and scope to assure a
  quality learning experience
• Require a moderate to substantial time commitment
  on the part of the student
• Be supervised by the teacher

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Non-Experimental SAE Programs

• Some times it is not possible to conduct a true
  experiment with a control group. Yet, the problem
  still needs to addressed. Research can still be
  done.
• The student gathers and evaluates data from a
  variety of sources and then produce some type of
  finished product.

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Non-Experimental SAE Programs

• A variety of activities can be conducted as
  analytical or non-experimental SAE projects.
• The approach taken may be that of
• An investigative reporter
• A detective
• A journalist
• An archeologist
• A documentary producer

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Developing a marketing plan for an agricultural
  commodity

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Writing a series of newspaper articles

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Preparing a land use plan for a farm

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Determining the safety of water wells in a
  community

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Designing a landscapeplan for a community
  facility

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Developing an advertising campaign for an
  agribusiness

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Non-Experimental SAE Examples

• Identifying the sources of pollution in a
  watershed

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Non-Experimental SAE

• A non-experimental SAE has all the rigor and
  steps of an experimental SAE except there is no
  control group.
• One will still
• Identify a problem
• Review the literature
• Develop a plan
• Conduct the activity
• Analyze the data
• Prepare a final report

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FFA and Research SAEs

• There are two major FFA programs that recognize
  student achievement in conducting agriscience SAE
  programs
• Agriscience Student
• Agriscience Fair

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Agriscience Student

• Each state can recognize one outstanding student
  in the area of Agriscience each year
• At the national level, there are 8 finalists for
  Agriscience Student of the Year
• You have to complete an application form
• Prepare a display
• Make a 15 minute presentation (at the national
  level)

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Agriscience Fair

• Many states have a state level agriscience fair
  sponsored by the FFA.
• State Winners get to compete in the National
  Agriscience Fair conducted at the National FFA
  Convention.
• There are five categories of entries in the
  Agriscience Fair

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Agriscience Fair Categories

• Biochemistry/Microbiology/Food Science
• Examples of projects
• Compare different yeast fermentation techniques
  for converting sugars to alcohol.
• Research resistance of organic fruits to common
  diseases.
• Examine techniques for controlling molds on
  bakery products.

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Agriscience Fair Categories

• Environmental Sciences
• Examples
• Study effect of agricultural chemicals on water
  quality.
• Compare water movements through different soil
  types.
• Examine effects of cropping practices on wildlife
  populations.
• Compare different irrigation systems for energy
  efficiency.

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Agriscience Fair Categories

• Zoology (Animal Science)
• Examples
• Compare effects of different thawing temperatures
  on livestock semen.
• Compare effects of different nutrient levels on
  animal growth.
• Study effects of growth hormones on meat or milk
  production.
• Research new disease control mechanisms.
• Examine effects of estrous synchronization on
  ovulation.

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Agriscience Fair Categories

• Botany (Plant/Soil Science)
• Examples
• Examine effect of substrate particle size on
  shiitake mushroom growth.
• Research effects of heavy metals such as cadmium
  on edible plants.
• Compare plant growth using hydroponics and
  conventional methods.
• Study effect of ultraviolet light on soil
  microbes.

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Agriscience Fair Categories

• Engineering (Mechanical/Agricultural Engineering
  Science)
• Examples
• Develop alternate energy source engines.
• Investigate light energy sources.
• Test absorption media for plant materials.
• Compare various tillage methods for energy
  efficiency.