Nutrients For Life Foundation Launches New Environmental Science Supplement For High School Teachers

The Nutrients for Life Foundation released the latest resource for high school teachers entitled Feeding the World & Protecting the Environment. The supplement describes the importance of responsible fertilizer use in growing healthy crops, fertilizer production, and related federal regulations. The resource supports the Foundation’s efforts to promote soil and crop nutrient science in the classroom and teach students about the basic aspects of plant biology as it relates to food production.

“We are thrilled to offer this resource at a time of world environmental awareness and unparalleled technological advancements that support responsible fertilizer use,” says Nutrients for Life Foundation Executive Director Harriet Wegmeyer. Feeding the World & Protecting the Environment challenges students to think critically about pressures our growing world population put on natural resources, agriculture and technological advancements in place to protect our environment. Students are encouraged to contemplate the relationships between population, food security, regulation, and the environment.”

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Developed for use in advanced environmental science courses, students learn about essential plant nutrients, study the fertilizer-manufacturing processes, and examine the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. Additionally, students consider various federal regulations, such as the Clean Water Act, in relation to fertilizer manufacturing. States have the primary responsibility for regulating fertilizer; however, many federal laws govern the mining, production, and use of fertilizer. The resource provides labs, reading excerpts, and classroom activities relating to the content and real-world challenges that enrich the learning experience. These activities encourage and support student inquiry and are appropriate for advanced high school grade levels. Content includes:

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  • 4R Nutrient Stewardship
  • Air Quality and the Clean Air Act
  • Climate Change
  • Land Restoration
  • Mining
  • Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
  • Nitrogen Production Facilities
  • Nourishing Crops with Fertilizers
  • Organic and Commercial Fertilizer
  • Production Facility & Federal Regulation Case Study
  • Roles in Sustainability
  • Water Quality, Quantity and the Clean Water Act

In the first section, Feeding the World & Protecting the Environment introduces students to essential plant nutrients and the biogeochemical cycles. These lessons culminate in the examination of sustainable agriculture and the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. 4R Nutrient Stewardship promotes applying the right source of plant nutrients at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. Students research a case study about the 4Rs and determine appropriate management practices to prevent nitrogen loss.

Feeding the World & Protecting the Environment is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and created from standards listed in The College Board’s Advanced Placement Environmental Science course framework. The spectrum of content, from production to stewardship on the farm, allows educators to share fertilizer’s impact in feeding the world.

To learn more about the Nutrients for Life Foundation, discover teacher resources, lesson plans, and more, visit www.nutrientsforlife.org.

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