UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
The High School Meat Science Curriculum project includes the development of a 10-hour, fully developed module that agriculture education instructors can incorporate into existing agriculture courses with minimal to no prior experience with the subject matter and minimal facility needs aside from workspace.
The curriculum package includes slide decks, lecture recordings, module quizzes, laboratory guides, and an equipment and supply kit.
Topics covered in the content include but are not limited to, a brief history of meat science, the transition from muscle to meat, factors affecting the quality of meat, a comparison of wholesale and retail cuts, sausage production, sanitation, meat production by-products, and careers within the meat industry.
Wisconsin schools will have the opportunity to access the complete piloted Meat Science curriculum in late summer of 2023. Applications for the laboratory kit grant are still open.
The following items may be included in the laboratory kit. 100 Wisconsin High Schools will receive this kit through our grant program:
"The Meat Science Kit we received has not only brought a hands-on learning experience into my classroom, but a new career interest to students as well. A lot of my students know about livestock and how to raise them, but there is a gap of what happens after those animals leave the farm. The Meat Science Kits are fantastic supplemental materials to help bridge this gap. Being able to have students not only learn about the steps to process meat, but completing it themselves has really fostered a new type of knowledge and skills that was enjoyed by all. The Meat Science Kits have benefitted my Animal Science program by helping to develop a deeper understanding of the meat industry's impact, and its role in food production and sustainability."
-Tia Straks Agriscience Teacher/FFA Advisor at Burlington High School
"The UWRF Meat Science curriculum and equipment I received has been a great addition to my Agricultural Science classes ! I was thrilled to utilize the comprehensive curriculum in several of my classes. Topics covered ranged from sanitation to fabrication and processing. Equipment provided was helpful in providing hands-on labs that could be implemented in any classroom using proper safety and sanitation techniques. This information was well thought out, organized and presented in a great format. It included accompanying materials such as projects, worksheets, and discussion points. All in all a great, turnkey, meat science curriculum!"
-Kally Koch - Agricultural Education/ FFA Advisor Riverdale School District
Hannah Olsen, graduate student at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls pursuing a Masters Degree in Agriculture Education.
Dr. Kurt Vogel, Associate Professor of Livestock Welfare and Behavior.
Received his meat science and animal welfare training during his Masters and PhD programs at UW-Madison and Colorado State University.
