USING PRACTICAL WORK, EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS AND TEACHING THE OPTIONAL COURSE "JUNIOR AGRONOMIST"

Abstract

This article examines the development and implementation of the "Young Agronomist" elective course in teaching practice, based on experimental work.

288 students participated in the study. Of these, 144 were in the 7th grade and 144 were in the 8th grade. Each class (A, B, C, D, E, and F) had 24 students. The study focused on developing students' interest in agricultural education and research skills by introducing additional elective biology lessons.

The experiments revealed a significant improvement in students' research skills. They mastered such skills as recording observations, analyzing data, comparing them, and formulating conclusions. These skills are known to have a positive impact not only on agricultural research but also on overall academic performance. Students who participated in the "Young Agronomist" elective course demonstrated increased interest in the subject, including when summarizing the results of scientific experiments and drawing conclusions. Approximately 95% of them actively participated and shared their thoughts and interesting experiences with the young scientists around them.

Research Results: The "Young Agronomist" elective course is a specialized course designed to explain the fundamentals of agriculture, including basic concepts such as plant cultivation and soil fertility maintenance, as well as agricultural practices, in accessible language appropriate to the students' age. In this course, students not only learn theoretical knowledge but also engage in practical work in the school yard, in the practical training department, in a greenhouse, or on small existing plots. During this hands-on experience, students observe plant growth stages and master agricultural skills such as seed sowing, care, watering, pest control, and harvesting.