Agri-Food is STEM!
Naturally when people hear the word “agriculture” they immediately think of farming. The parts of the sector that are often forgotten about include food science, economics, environmental science, and plant breeding (just to name a few). STEM can be found everywhere in the agri-food system and is a vital part of many careers that are in high demand! Did you know that every graduate entering Ontario’s agriculture and food sector from the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) has four jobs awaiting them[1]?
Integrating food, agriculture, and related topics into your teachings can be fun and easy (and free)! The OAC Student Liaison Program has several no cost opportunities to learn about agriculture and food, and their associated educational pathways
Below is a list off upcoming events and resources available to you!
Carleigh Johnston
OAC Liaison Manager
RAWF Education Symposium: Embracing Multiple Perspectives in Agri-Food Sustainability
Nov. 4, 10:00 am and 11:00 am (2-part event)
High school students and educators are invited to join us virtually at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Annual Education Symposium. This two-part event includes a keynote talk and panel discussion about sustainability in the agri-food sector from multiple perspectives, including indigenous and western points of view.
Professional Development Conference: Animals, People, and Planet
Nov. 26, 10:30 am
Educators are invited to participate in a professional development event designed in partnership with Agscape to provide insight and resources connected to animal agriculture. Learn about the relationship between animals, people, and the environment by hearing from experts and researchers and leave with resources you can bring to your classroom.
Upcoming Program Information Nights
Grade 11 and 12 students are invited to participate in a unique opportunity to learn about academic programs. These events will include a program presentation and panel with current students, recent alumni, and faculty to answer all of your questions. Parents/guardians, teachers, and guidance counselors are encouraged to attend.
Online Food Program Information Night
Oct. 20, 7:00 pm
Online Plant Program Information Night
Oct. 27, 7:00 pm
Online Agri-food Business & Economics Program Information Night
Nov. 3, 7:00 pm
Online Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice Program Information Night
Nov. 17, 7:00 pm
PDF Lesson Plans
You can view all of our curriculum aligned lesson plans on our OAC Lesson Plans webpage. Lesson plans on animals, food, plants, the environment, and interdisciplinary topics are available. Some lesson plans are stand alone and other are paired with a podcast episode of The Why & How Podcast, that interviews OAC researchers on a variety of topics like honeybees, urban climatology, and plant-based meat alternatives.
[1] Ontario Agricultural College. (2017). Planning for Tomorrow 2.0 Report. https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/about/planning-tomorrow-20-report