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Education Resources

Education was extremely important to Norm and is one of the primary goals of the NBHF. These resources are designed to help visitors better understand Dr. Borlaug and his lifelong dedication to making the world a better place. Please consider helping us expand our educational programming.

NBHF Curriculum

This curriculum was created by 2020 NBHF Summer Intern Ellie Foelske and contains material for each grade level K-8. Use the Download buttons to get the curriculum for each grade level.

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Kindergarten

This curriculum is appropriate for students in Kindergarten. Kindergarteners will be introduced to information about furry and feathered friends on the farm!  Animals are much different from us, but need food, shelter, love.

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4th Grade

Fourth graders will learn about the evolution of farming from the 1900’s until now. They will develop an understanding of the diversity of the United States and how that influences what each state is able to produce.

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8th Grade

Eighth graders will have the opportunity to work toward a better future for the NBHF. Using maps and other resources, students will propose suggestions for improvements on the farm after learning about the big 2020 improvement.

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1st Grade

1st graders will understand crop differences by comparing apples to pumpkins & learn how crop’s uniqueness can be capitalized on when processing them into items we use each day. 

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5th Grade

Fifth graders will learn about farming crops from beginning to end. From caring for the soil, to harvesting, and sharing those crops with others, students will gain insight to the saying, “Farm to Table”.

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2nd Grade

Second graders will be learning the basics of a heathy lifestyle and apply what they learned into real life situations by suggesting to Norman Borlaug what he should eat and how he should exercise.

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6th Grade

Sixth graders will gain an understanding of the domestication of animals. Over time, Americans have learned how to work with animals. That is why we can use their strengths improve lives.

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3rd Grade

Third graders will be learning the basics of preparing a meal. After these lessons, students should thoroughly understand the various food groups within a meal and how to prepare a meal using measuring techniques.

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7th Grade

Seventh graders will become away of the future successes and stresses on our world. Technology can make things very easy, however, our population is putting a lot of stress on farmers to do more than they ever have before.

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Virtual Inspire Day

Thanks to the instructors for designing these courses for the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation!

I. DNA Extraction

This presentation was created by Dr. Walter Suza and Marjorie Hanneman of Iowa State University. Its focus is on the Importance of Plant Science and presents a lesson on DNA extraction as an example of things plant scientists use to improve plants for improving food security.

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Learning Objectives:

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  • Students will be able to define a gene and DNA at a basic level.

  • Students will connect DNA to physical traits of the food they eat.

  • Students will break down cells and comprehend that cells can be manipulated in a lab setting.

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Download Supplemental Material

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Download the Presentation PDF | Download Supplemental Material

DNA Extraction Video
II. The Importance of Biofuels

Learning Objectives:

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  • Students can state why biofuels are important to the economy and to the environment.

  • Students can list three benefits of ethanol.

  • Students will develop a list of alternative fuels for vehicles and debate what they feel our the best solutions for powering vehicles for the next 20 years.

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Download Biofuels Worksheet

III. The Many Uses of Corn

Learning Objectives:

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  • Students can state why biofuels are important to the economy and to the environment.

  • Students can list three benefits of ethanol.

  • Students will develop a list of alternative fuels for vehicles and debate what they feel our the best solutions for powering vehicles for the next 20 years.

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Download Biofuels Worksheet

The Many Uses of Corn Video
What Did Norman Do? A Norman Borlaug Farm Chat

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation along with Silos and Smokestacks and the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation made this presentation possible. Presenters are Cindy Hall (Iowa Agriculutre Literacy Foundation), Laura Elfers (Silos & Smokestacks) and Tom Spindler (NBHF).

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Learning Objectives:

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  • Students will create a list of facts they learned about Norm's life growing up.

  • Students will compare and contrast Norm's childhood home with their own modern home stating three ways they are similar and three ways they are different.

  • Students will formulate a statement about why Norm is soneone who should be remembered.

What Did Norman Do? A Norman Borlaug
Farm Chat Video

Additional Learning Opportunities

The resources below (other than the WFP curriculum and the childrens' musical) are products of NBHF Resident Scholars and Borlaug-Thomson Interns. We hope you find these resources useful with young people, either in the classroom or as enrichment activities for youth in other settings. If you have developed learning units about Dr. Borlaug that you would like to share with others, we'd love to hear from you. Contact the NBHF​

World Map
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Where in the World Was

Norman Borlaug?

Created by 2020 summer intern Ellie Foelske

 

The Virtual World Map is a tour of Noman's work around the world with insights as to what, where and when he was doing his humanitarian work to feed the world's needy citizens. Travel Iowa, Minnesota, Mexico, India, Pakistan and other locations around the globe where Norm lived and worked. Learn why he won the Nobel Peace Prize 50 years ago and why his work lives on. Dr Borlaug is considered tone of the greatest humanitarians the world has ever known - learn why in this virtual tour. (1. Iowa, 2. U of M, 3. Mexico, 4. India, 5. Nobel Peace Prize, 6. Pakistan, 7. Africa) Click the numbered buttons to learn more.

Videos We Recomend

The videos below are ones we find especially insightful regarding the life and work of Dr. Borlaug. The video "A Brain Full of Grain" is student film about Dr. Borlaug created and produced for the 2015 Iowa National History Day competition by Sean Wu, Rizwan Sidhu and Canaan Frese. It won first place in the Senior Documentary Division and moved on to the national competition. It is a wonderful example of the type of creative student thought and educational inspiration that Dr. Borlaug would applaud.

A Brain Full of Grain
Play It Hard
Freedom from Famine
A Lifetime of Fighting Hunger
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