Westwood is full S.T.E.A.M Ahead
March in Review-Agritechnology
CTE in Agritechnology
The agriculture department is currently calming down from a very successful fair season that saw students showing at both the St. Lucie County Fair as well as South Florida Fair. Along with students being able to showcase their SAEs (supervised agricultural experiences) at the fair, we have been working on state degrees and applications for the Florida FFA Association. In addition to the busy fair schedule, we are always working to grow and expand our campus farm. In collaboration with the USDA, we were able to plant our school garden which consisted of about 500 plants including cabbage, tomatoes and strawberries.
Students who are enrolled in the Ag program can get certifications in Associate of Agriculture and Agritechnician. Careers that students with Ag certifications are eligible for include animal husbandry, welder, nursery caretaker, mechanic, and salesman to name a few.
Steer breeding program
Collaborative efforts with Kyle Patterson, Owner of Rockin KP Ranch
St. Lucie County Fair
Bringing a swine or steer to auction requires unique approaches. No two animals are the same and students shine in their show by showcasing how their animal is different. Uniqueness also means requiring different feed programs and wash programs. This is more so for steers than swine.
Students learn goal assessment and entrepreneurship skills in their participation in Ag. Students raise their own money, supply the feed and rear the animal to a certain weight. In addition they tend to their animals when they are sick, learning veterinary practices for farm animals. The profits made at auction belong to the students. Most reinvest in the next year's animal. Our seniors have used the funds for entrance fees into colleges.
The barn
Swine
When the pigs go to auction they are bid on by the pound. Students can earn profits from their sales and most of them put the money directly into next year's pig.
Steers
The garden
In collaboration with the USDA - Agricultural Research Service
Students are trained in how to use the farm equipment and must prepare the soil. Students learn how to disc the soil and create beds. They learn how to lay drip irrigation and cover beds. They hook up the irrigation and maintain the lines and further programs the system to water the crops.
All maintenance and harvest of the garden is the responsibility of the students.
This year's cabbage harvest went to the school's culinary department for a St. Patrick's day treat of Corned Beef and Cabbage for the faculty and staff.
STEAM Recruiters of the Month
Ms. Delisa Pressley
Mrs. Jenna Blankenbaker
I'm Jenna Blankenbaker and this is my fifth-year teaching agriculture here at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy. I graduated from the agriculture education program at the University of Florida. I have enjoyed being able to assist in growing the agriculture program at Westwood and see students go on to be successful in either college or career. I enjoy being able to teach students critical thinking skills as well as hands on skills that can assist them outside of the classroom.
Odyssey of the Mind goes to state
During its inaugural season at the West Prep Magnet, the Odyssey of the Mind team qualified at the reginal competition to move on to the state competition in April. Odyssey of the Mind is a student driven organization where students are presented with a unique problem which requires the students to present a theatrical solution that based on their creative solution to the problem.