Career & Technical Education

The Riverton Unified School District No. 404 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, or religion in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

Todd Berry, Superintendent
6860 SE Hwy 66
Riverton, KS 66770
620.848.3386

Agricultural Education        

Instructor: Mr. Jacob Larison

Program Overview

All classes in the Agricultural Education Department are divided into three main components, as approved by the Kansas State Department of Education.  These include classroom and laboratory instruction, the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Program, and the National FFA Organization.  Students who enroll in these classes are expected to participate in each of the three areas.  The Agricultural Education Department focuses on building career development skills in all students in the many areas of the field of agriculture.

Courses Offered:

Opportunities in AgriScience        

This course offers an introduction to all major phases of agriculture, horticulture, animal science, welding, leadership, record keeping, public speaking, and agricultural products.  FFA is introduced and each student will select and implement a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.  The primary aim of this course is an introduction to a variety of agricultural career opportunities. 

This course is the prerequisite for all other Ag Education Courses.

Ag Welding

This course includes the principles used in the construction of products in the welding fabrication industry.  Students will study welding tool equipment selection, safety, set up, and maintenance for all types of welding equipment.  Students will learn theory and practice in technical careers, shop safety, oxy-acetylene cutting and welding, plasma arc cutting, DC and AC arc welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding, preventative maintenance, project design, layout, and construction.  The first semester consists of basic knowledge, safety, skill development, and group project construction.  The second semester is basic project design and construction.  

            Prerequisite    Opportunities in Ag Science or AgriScience

Ag Fabrication         

This course involves the advanced study of the principles and techniques used in the construction of products in the welding fabrication industry.  Students will advance their study of tool equipment/selection, safety, set up, and maintenance for all types of welding equipment.  Students will further their knowledge of technical careers, workplace safety, oxy-acetylene cutting and welding, plasma arc cutting, increased applications of DC arc welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding, flux core arc (FCAW) welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, preventative maintenance, advanced project design, layout, and construction. 

Students will spend approximately 13 weeks advancing their technical skill development and operational knowledge, while the remainder of the course will include project design, layout, and construction.

            Prerequisites  1)  Opportunities in Ag Science 2) Ag Welding

Ag Communications and Leadership

             This class includes a study of professional written and verbal communication in agriculture.  Written communication will include writing news articles, promotional materials, resumes, cover letters, applications, and graphic layout.  Verbal communication will include prepared and extemporaneous public speaking, parliamentary procedure, group presentations, introductions, and the guidance of group discussion.  Leadership skills will be enhanced by planning and coordinating student, chapter, and community development activities for the FFA Chapter. 

            Prerequisites  1) Opportunities in Ag Science  2)  Instructor Permission

The following are offered in even numbered school years. (07-08, 09-10, 11-12, etc…)

Animal Science

This course is for students who have an interest in animal science and /or pre-veterinary medicine.  This course will be an in-depth study of animals including:  anatomy, health, nutrition and digestive systems, reproduction and genetics, meat science, dairy industry, equine science, and live animal evaluation.  Students will care for and manage a small animal operation involving poultry/wildlife and aquaculture.

            Prerequisite    Opportunities in Ag Science

Horticulture Science

This class includes a study of greenhouse crops.  Students will study plant identification, reproduction techniques, and growth processes.  Other areas of instruction include:  house plants, introductory landscaping and design, lawn management, gardening, plant growth and propagation, insect control, and fertilizers.  Students should be prepared to spend a large amount of time working in the greenhouse.

            Prerequisite    Opportunities in Ag Science

Advanced Horticulture Science

            This class will include a study of greenhouse crops and production techniques.  Students will refine skills in plant identification, reproduction techniques, and growth processes.  Other areas of instruction include:  foliage plants, advanced landscape design, installation, and cost calculations.  Further study will be in lawn management, vegetable gardening, dried flowers, plant arrangements, terrariums, and soil fertility. Students should be prepared to spend a large amount of time working in the greenhouse and outdoors.

            Prerequisites  1)  Opportunities in Ag Science  2) Horticulture Science

AgriBusiness        

            This course offers the opportunities for an in depth study of the development and implementation of an agricultural business in one of three areas: horticulture, animal science, or welding construction.  This business will be relatively small and manageable, but will be effective in allowing the student to apply the principles learned from this class.  The business will give us a hands-on project throughout the year, which will require 100% participation from the members of each team.  The students in each group will be the sole operators of the business, and will complete all aspects of the business from planning to production to sales and marketing.  The course will be slightly different for each business group, with slightly different expectations for each group as well.  Students will combine classroom and laboratory activities with advanced “Supervised Agriculture Experience” and FFA experiences.  Specific areas of study will include business planning, budgeting, business structures, career search techniques, agricultural economics, recordkeeping and analysis, marketing, and sales.    

     In our high school program students will have the opportunity to learn about designing and building wood projects. Students also have a great opportunity to explore the world of construction through projects in and outside the classroom. Using curriculum developed by the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) students have the opportunity to earn nationally/internationally recognized certifications that can help in obtaining employment upon graduation.

v  Visual Arts Photography I

v  Audio/Visual Techniques I

v  Audio/Visual Techniques II

Visual Arts Photography I: This course is designed to teach the student fundamentals of photography. This class will help the student develop the skills to take and print good pictures, also to show creativity and originality. The students will develop good work place skills. During the course students will have the opportunity to experience the following activities Careers in Photography, understanding the camera, using the camera, understanding the software, using the software, lighting for photography, color filter application, understanding and using the backdrop, decision making and problem solving. Students will be responsible for turning a finished product.

Audio/Visual Techniques I: This course will cover the basic techniques of digital video production.  This class will help the student develop the skills to be creative and show originality, for each completed activity. During the course students will have the opportunity to experience the following activities.  Topics will cover digital camcorder operation, video communications, video editing, production skills, digital text and sound management, light design, compositions, storyboarding development and editing production procedures. The students will develop good work place skills. Students will be responsible for turning a finished product.

Audio/Visual Techniques II: This course will cover the advanced techniques of digital video production. This class will help the student develop the skills to be creative and show and originality, for each completed activity. During the course students will have the opportunity to experience the following activities. Topics will cover video dimensions, video flow time, video language, lighting techniques, digital audio track recording, digital video track recording, direction and producing for content, editing principals, decision making and problem solving. The students will develop good work place skills. Students will be responsible for turning a finished product.