Year-Round School Programs
Intermediate and Senior

Planting the Seeds of a Country

Grades 7 to 9/Cycle 1 and Cycle 2

$6 per student
Duration: 90 minutes

Did you know that the development of Marquis wheat led to the successful colonization of the Canadian prairies, and that the “Canadienne” cow descends from cattle breeds imported to New France from Normandy? During this program, students study Canadian history and geography through the development and expansion of agriculture. They learn how Canada’s “Experimental Farms” helped settlers to adapt to new regions, and discuss the current status of agriculture in Canada. (A-37)

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Agriculture and the Environment

Consult our Educational Activity Kit

Grades 7 to 9 and Grades 11 to 12/Cycle 2

$6 per student
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Students get to try solving some tricky agricultural issues as they trace the evolution of agriculture and its impact on the environment. As they explore the impact of modern farming practices in pork and beef production, and crop protection, they will learn about sustainable agriculture while analyzing the benefits and risks of biotechnology in agriculture. (A-17)

Genetics and Reproductive Technologies

Grades 11 and 12/Cycle 2

$6 per student
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Recessive or dominant gene? Artificial insemination or embryo transfer? For dairy producers, these are daily dilemmas. We challenge students to solve basic genetic problems using the Punnett square method, and to improve the genetic makeup of the Museum’s dairy herd. The students’ task consists of establishing a cow’s weakest trait, then improving upon this characteristic in her offspring by selecting the best bull for reproduction. Students predict the genetic outcome of this cross, and compare their answers to the cow’s actual records. Discover the advantages and challenges posed by reproductive technologies in agriculture, and the role genetically modified animals play on modern farms. (A-18)

“Evaluating cows and matching them to a bull was very interactive. It emphasized making up for weaker genes in cows.”

Grade 11 teacher, Ottawa, Ontario

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