With the holidays around the corner, the students in the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) program at Maurice J. McDonough High School spent a recent free period thinking ahead to spring.
They set up an assembly line of sorts to cut, transplant, add soil, water and organize plants that they will sell later in the school year to faculty and staff members. Funds raised will go toward class projects and other necessities.
The CASE pathway incorporates classroom learning, FFA leadership and career development, as well as outside classroom experiences through Supervises Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and other internship opportunities.
The CASE program prepares students to explore careers in the agricultural and environmental sciences. Even if they don’t plan to carry on studying the subject in college, CASE students carry with them a respect and appreciation for the natural world.
“Without the environment, we don’t live anywhere,” senior Chris Baldwin said, summing up the importance of learning about the environment and agriculture in an increasingly technological focused world.
Each year, 24 students are accepted into the CASE program which follows a three-ring model, Kelly Bryant, CASE teacher, said. The three components are supervised agriculture experiences (SAE), CASE instruction and participating in FFA. Among current SAEs overseen by students are a composting project, a study of how fertilizers can effect different soils and manning an aquaponic system in an Advanced Placement (AP) environmental science classroom. “Through SAEs students can kind of decide which route they’re going to take,” Bryant said.
For senior Elliot McKay the future may include getting his hands dirty. He is interested in studying soil and has been accepted into a few colleges where he’s planning to further study environmental science subjects. “I grew up spending most of my time outside, in nature,” McKay said. “I figured the CASE program was about that stuff and it sounded pretty fun.”
He made a wise choice. “[Agriculture] ended up being a very strong interest of mine,” McKay said. “The program teaches you a lot about the environment and just being aware of what’s going on. We have a lot of group projects and leadership opportunities. It teaches you more than the average high school class.”
Through the FFA organization, students are presented with tasks that naturally build leadership skills. There’s public speaking, employment skills and other need-to-know tools a student has to have in a post-high school graduation world.
Senior Renji King has an interest in growing her own food and tea leaves. Information she’s gleaned in CASE classes benefit her, she said. “It’s educational for me to learn how to properly manage and grow my products,” King said. “It’s essential to keep the nutrients, to keep them clean, fresh and ready to go. And it’s honestly been a fun hobby for me.”
King plans to pair her interest in the environment with her interest in business as she continues her education in college. She is also sure she’ll return to McDonough to visit teachers and plans to be active alumnus. King said being in the CASE program is part of the reason she is connected to the school. “It’s really fun and you get to try new things,” she said. “It gives you a new perspective on the Earth.”
The application to apply for a career and technical education (CTE) program or a pathway is 3 p.m., Nov. 14. Applications are open to eighth graders and — for select programs — sophomores. To learn more, visit the CTE site at www.ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).