Environmental science and natural resources

By 2050, the human population is anticipated to rise to 9 billion people! Feeding the world and using resources wisely will be very important to our future.

pdf

Environmental science and natural resources discussion guide

Teachers, this discussion guide will help you talk with your students about careers in Environmental science and natural resources.

If you are interested in rising to the challenge, consider a career in environmental science. In general, professionals in environmental science and natural resources are working to make agriculture and society more efficient and sustainable.

Careers in Environmental Science are so varied it is difficult to consider them as one category. You could end up working from home most of the time or traveling around the world on a regular basis. You could be doing desk work, field work, or some combination thereof. Your focus could be mathematical, physical, or written. Of course, the majority careers in Environmental Science are some blend of these factors. Knowing what is available to you professionally is half the battle when choosing a career. Here are some of the careers you could consider. There are many opportunities for innovative individuals interested in protecting our environment and natural resources.

Careers in Environmental science and natural resources

  • Ag Systems Manager
  • Biologist/Microbiologist/Zoologist
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Ecologist/Environmental Scientist
  • Environmental Attorney
  • Environmental Policy, Planning and Management
  • Fishery Manager
  • Geographic Information Systems Specialist
  • Geoscientist
  • GPS Specialist
  • Horticulturist
  • Information Technology Specialist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Meteorologist
  • Oceanographer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Public Health Manager
  • Renewable Energy Researcher
  • Soil and Plant Scientist
  • Waste Management Engineer
  • Water Quality and Purification Specialist
  • Wildlife Manager

Environmental science and natural resources resources at GNG

unit
unit

AFNR natural resources

3 lessons, 8 files
How do we impact natural resources by our activities? This unit helps meet some of the AFNR curriculum standards for natural resources. Students will learn how to test texture and other physical characteristics of soil, conduct water quality tests, …
unit
unit

AFNR plant systems

5 lessons, 9 files
How do we develop and manage plant systems? Each plant is classified according to broad categories based on characteristics they share. New DNA technology has allowed us to be more specific in determining the “relatives” of plants. This …
industry leader
industry leader

Andy Michel

Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University
ohio state university agriculture education agronomist biotechnology entomology pest management pests
teacher leader
teacher leader

Chuck Crawford

Environmental Science Teacher at Dublin Jerome High School
agriculture education data environmental science simulations urban farming
Video
Video

Global aquaculture

Have you considered a career in aquaculture? Watch and learn more about this fast-growing, global career.
industry leader
industry leader

Greg LaBarge

Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems at The Ohio State University Extension
ohio state university agronomist extension nutrients plant science water quality
industry leader
industry leader

Harold Watters

retired Associate Professor, Field Specialist for Agronomic Systems
ohio state university extension farming nutrients soybeans water quality
unit
unit

Here, fishy fishy: aquaculture systems

5 lessons, 9 files
How does soymeal feed compare to fishmeal feed when raising Tilapia in an aquaculture system? Take on multiple roles within an aquaculture farm including set-up and maintenance of tanks, test water quality, investigate possible feed sources and monitor fish health and growth.
Video
Video

International agriculture development

Are you interested in travel and helping others? Then a career in international agriculture development may be for you.
teacher leader
teacher leader

Jane Hunt

Education Consultant at Education Projects & Partnerships LLC
biology biotechnology environmental science
industry leader
industry leader

Laura Lindsey

Associate Professor; Soybean and Small Grain Production at The Ohio State University; Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
ohio state university commodities extension plant/crop science soybeans
industry leader
industry leader

Libby Dayton

Soil Scientist at the Ohio State University
ohio state university nutrients plant science water quality soil science
unit
unit

Managing nutrient and pesticide needs in agriculture

7 lessons, 12 files
Why do farmers spend time and money to apply chemicals to their fields? In this threaded PBL*, (an effort to integrate agricultural understandings into the normal sequence of an Environmental Science classroom) students will conduct several “close reads” (reading for …
industry leader
industry leader

Matthew Stroud

Product Agronomist at DuPont Pioneer
dupont pioneer agribusiness agronomist research and development soybeans test plot
unit
unit

Nitrogen fixation and legumes: say what?

2 lessons, 7 files
How do legumes fix nitrogen? If the atmosphere is about 80% Nitrogen (N2), but plants cannot use that form, how do they get nitrogen? In this unit, students plant and care for soybeans under one of five different …
unit
unit

Oh soy good! Milk types and food security

6 lessons, 10 files
How might soymilk, and other types of milk, help ensure food security? Investigate various milk sources and their composition through core disciplines of Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts to discover the availability of milk types within multiple cultures …
unit
unit

Photoperiod: the floral initiator

2 lessons, 7 files
What drives plants to flower and reproduce? In this lesson students will plant and care for soybeans under one of three different photoperiod regimes: First month: 16 hours; Second month: 14 hours; third month: 12 hours (control) 16 hours for …
Video
Video

Precision agriculture

Matt Liskai the President/Co-Owner of Green Field Ag talks about his career in precision agriculture.
e-learning
e-learning

Soybeans 101

What do you know about soybeans? This course provides an overview of soybeans. Students learn about the parts of the soybean plant and the many uses of soybeans. Information is also provided about the process of growing and exporting soybeans.

unit
unit

Soybeans as a chemical feedstock

4 lessons, 6 files
Can agriculture provide greener, more sustainable products? Soybeans contain several components which innovators and entrepreneurs find valuable when creating greener products. What are the chemical building blocks in a soybean?
unit
unit

Soy McCoy coloring book

1 lesson, 1 file
What is a soybean? What value does it have? For younger students, a coloring book that introduces soybeans: the history and the uses in animal agriculture, bioproducts and the local grocery store. This is perfect for ag days, camps or after …
industry leader
industry leader

Steven Hart

Vice President of Market Development at Global Aquaculture Alliance
aquaculture careers soy-based products world hunger
e-learning
e-learning

Water quality

What factors are used to judge water quality? What human activities might lead to cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms? Students will learn about the process and effects of cultural eutrophication and describe ways to reduce risk.

unit
unit

Where does our food come from, anyway? Sustainable ag systems

3 lessons, 7 files
How do growers’ decisions affect the sustainability of agricultural systems? Understand and appreciate food producers through this case study and determine what decisions must be made on a yearly, monthly, or daily basis to maintain an environmental system that will continue …