Plant systems career discussion guide

Use this guide at any point in exploring the food science career pathway. We recommend that students complete the Student Interest Inventory to enhance classroom discussion.

Discussion questions

1. Professionals in this field are interested in the care of crops, and in developing them for particular uses (for biofuels, vaccines, nutritious food, etc.). What interests and skills do you have that fit a career in plant science?

2. There are many ways to get involved in plant science, even before you graduate. You could join a school club, contact one of the GrowNextGen Industry Leaders, or help coordinate a field trip. Brainstorm several “next steps,” including courses you might take at your high school or career technical center.

3. Science and Math are essential in plant science. Make one connection between math or science you have learned and plant science. For example, have you discussed photosynthesis in a biology class? Have you examined plant tissues? What relevance might these topics have to crop yield, or determining the health of crops?

Problem solving
Each career path contains unique problems to solve. Below are a sampling of real-world challenges that plant scientists may encounter.

1. Agronomists are often called in to examine crops that have physical symptoms of disease. Can disease forecasting be improved beyond our current tools, so that pathogens are detected before a crop has visible symptoms?

2. Climate change poses a threat to the wellness of crops world-wide. What strategies could be used to develop “climate-resilient” plants that can better cope with current climate changes?

3. What crops are best suited for the creation of biofuels? How could these crops be enhanced to create even more efficient fuels?