The average student in Grayson County is now three generations removed from agriculture, even though they rely on it every day. What people do not often realize is that core content can be taught using agriculture and natural resources as a platform where they learn both topics in their everyday lessons. Another highlight in today’s student curriculum is STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math), one which agriculture fits very well. The agriculture and natural resources agent has been working diligently to work with youth and utilize those types of core content like STEM and infuse it with agriculture education. So when the high school 9^th grade teacher reached out to the Extension Service for help on natural resource programming, the agent used those resources to educate students about agriculture and science. The agent made 2 class visits through the year, reaching 177 students (102 male, 75 female, 6 Black, 1 Asian, 3 American India, 1 native Hawaiian, and 2 other). The first session was a Soil Lab Kit project that is used to demonstrate simple pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium tests, and what roles each of those chemicals play in the health of that soil. They then discussed the effects of erosion and ways to help aid in saving the top soil. The second session utilized the national 4-H Eco-Bot program where students had to be engineers to create an Eco-Bot to clean up a simulated oil spill. Students were very creative in using their items and were able utilize team-work, math, and engineering principles. The groups discussed the issue with oil spills and their effect on the environment.

Through these classes, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent has gained an audience of youth for future educational programs. The science teacher has also began planning programs for the following year, so that the Extension Service can do a program with the youth once a trimester.