Agricultural Chemistry
Learn about different aspects of what it takes to get food onto your table—from soil, to fertilizer, to the crops we grow.
- Celebrating Chemistry—Earth Day 2017 (English)
Celebrating Chemistry—Earth Day 2017 (Spanish)
Hungry? Chemistry helps feed the world! Learn more about this Chemists Celebrate Earth Day theme, with activities and articles. - Isolation of Phytochrome: Landmark Lesson Plan
Some scientists thought this plant compound was a “pigment of the imagination,” but other researchers continued their search. - Silent Spring: Landmark Lesson Plan
Learn about Rachel Carson’s lasting legacy as you consider how our use of chemicals in agriculture today affects our environment. - One in a Million
This lesson plan is one in a million. Parts per million that is. Find out about fertilizer concentration with food coloring. - Brown Bananas
It’s not easy (or tasty) being green. How can you use chemistry to get those green tomatoes and bananas to ripen? - Agricultural Topics for Science Fair Projects
Looking for agricultural answers? You won’t find them here—just questions. Pick one and kick off an investigation.
- Porosity and Permeability Lab
Go with the flow. Explore how fast water travels through various soil materials. - Earth: The Apple of Our Eye
The Earth shrinks to the size of an ordinary apple in this demo of how much farmable soil we have. - Ag-Bites: Link 'Ems
Link ‘em up. Can you match these ag raw materials with products made from their compounds? - International Year of Soils Educational Material
You’ll dig these free resources for teaching beginning to advanced students about soil. - Role Play Activity: Ban Fertilizers in Our Town?
Love a lush, green lawn? How do your choices affect other areas of the environment? Consider different views in this role play activity. - How Do Fruits Ripen?
Fruits pair up to get them to that ripeness sweet spot. Learn about it, then try it at home. - Making Sense of Olive Oil
Taste it, test it, and try to make your own.
- Ancient Soil Chemists of the Amazon
Take tips from ancient Amazonians for even better soil for growing today’s crops. - Edible Insects
What’s for dinner? Meat takes a backseat in this meal when edible insects are on the menu. - George Washington Carver: National Historic Chemical Landmark
Meet the Peanut Man! Get the bigger picture of his contributions to agriculture. - Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
This infographic heads underground to give you the science of soil. - Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Some of these agricultural chemists are literally in the field. Get an idea of what they do.
- Teen Develops Water-Saving Pods for Seeds
Farmers will thank this high schooler for her water-saving, seed-boosting invention. - Food Science Lab
It’s urban agriculture, with students in control. The tasty results get served up in the cafeteria. - Walnut Shells as Fuel
This farm grows walnuts, but instead of throwing away the shells, it uses them to power the farm. - Is Organic Better? Ask a Fruit Fly
Should you eat organic or conventional food? This student decided to bring fruit flies into the debate. - Energy Consumption for Row Crop Production
We get energy from the food that we eat. What energy input does it take to grow them?
- What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
Take a look at different foods. Does 200 Calories fill up the plate? - Career Profile: Agricultural Chemistry
These chemists help protect your health. How? - How Fruit Keeps a Lid on Ripening
How is fruit like a fire alarm? See how it flips its switch. - The Elements of Fertilizers
As the nursery rhyme asks, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" It's with the help of chemistry. - The Chemistry of Broccoli
This veggie can really go green — but not for too long!
(all sites accessed March 2021)
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