(FORT BEND ISD) - The Fort Bend ISD’s Animal Science Program introduces students to the world of animal-oriented agribusiness. Students learn about the science and businesses associated with animals.
Available careers in animal science stretch across multiple industries and specializations, and can include but are not limited to biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
Austin High School senior Cassidy Watts plans to use what she has learned in the district’s Animal Science Program, combined with her love for animal well-being, to pursue a career in animal nutrition when she graduates. Watts is currently in a senior-level advanced animal science course.
Gabby Ridings, a junior at Travis High School, has ambitions of becoming an agriculture teacher and plans to get a degree in poultry science. Ridings is enrolled in the program’s Livestock Production course.
As part of the coursework requirements, students must complete a Supervised Agricultural Experience. These activities are student-led and teacher-supervised and vary based on a student’s interest or career path. The projects allow students to apply their classroom principles in the real world. SAEs strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work through projects.
Watts is currently raising a heifer to show at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this spring for her SAE. Ridings will show a pig and broilers she is raising.
SAEs are not limited to raising animals. Students can intern or volunteer for an organization, shadow someone at their job or become an entrepreneur, as long as the project meets course criteria. Some examples from the FBISD ag programs include campus gardens, canine therapy programs, veterinary and florist co-ops.
Most students enrolled in Animal Science are also members of FFA, a national youth organization with local chapters that share the district’s same goal to develop leaders.
Last spring, the district opened its third agriculture facility to support the 1,500 students annually enrolled in agriculture science. The Ronnie Davis Agriculture Center, located adjacent to Marshall High School, was funded through the 2018 Bond Program and serves students from Elkins, Hightower, Marshall, Ridge Point and Willowridge high schools.
Additional facilities include the Bonnie Beard Agriculture Center near Travis High School and Jimmy Klemstein Agriculture Center located near Kempner High School.
Animal Science falls within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster as defined by the Texas Education Agency, one of 14 pathways offered through the district’s Career and Technical Education department. For more information, visit fortbendisd.com/CTE.
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