(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Recommended prerequisite: a minimum of one credit from the courses in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
(b) Introduction.
  (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
  (2) The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster focuses on the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources, including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.
  (3) Energy and Natural Resource Technology examines the interrelatedness of environmental issues and production agriculture. Students will evaluate the environmental benefits provided by sustainable resources and green technologies. Instruction is designed to allow for the application of science and technology to measure environmental impacts resulting from production agriculture through field and laboratory experiences. To prepare for careers in environmental service systems, students must attain academic skills and knowledge, acquire advanced technical knowledge and skills related to environmental service systems and the workplace, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings.
  (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
  (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
  (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify career development, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the field of energy and natural resources;
    (B) apply competencies related to resources, information, interpersonal skills, and systems of operation in energy and natural resources;
    (C) demonstrate knowledge of personal and occupational safety, environmental regulations, and first-aid policy in the workplace; and
    (D) analyze employers' expectations such as appropriate work habits, ethical conduct, legal responsibilities, and good citizenship skills.
  (2) The student develops a supervised agriculture experience program. The student is expected to:
    (A) plan, propose, conduct, document, and evaluate a supervised agriculture experience program as an experiential learning activity;
    (B) apply proper record-keeping skills as they relate to the supervised agriculture experience;
    (C) participate in youth leadership opportunities to create a well-rounded experience program; and
    (D) produce and participate in a local program of activities using a strategic planning process.
  (3) The student uses instructional time to conduct field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices in a supervised agriculture experience. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations in a supervised agriculture experience; and
    (B) use accepted procedures for the use and conservation of resources and for the safe handling of materials.
  (4) The student discusses the importance and scope of natural resources. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify various types of natural resources;
    (B) discuss renewable and non-renewable energy resources and their impact on the environment;
    (C) analyze the impacts of natural resources and their effects on the agricultural economy; and
    (D) map the geographic and demographic uses of natural resources.
  (5) The student identifies water use and management in agricultural settings. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify the distribution and properties of water in the hydrologic cycle;
    (B) identify agricultural uses of water such as recycling;
    (C) discuss how agricultural uses may impact water resources;
    (D) define point source and non-point source pollution;
    (E) identify sources of point source and non-point source pollution associated with agriculture;
    (F) evaluate how the different agricultural water uses may impact water availability; and
    (G) research water use legislation.
  (6) The student describes air quality associated with agricultural production. The student is expected to:
    (A) describe the components of the atmosphere and the atmospheric cycle;
    (B) define air pollution;
    (C) analyze air quality legislation;
    (D) identify sources and effects of air pollution from agricultural production;
    (E) discuss different emission management strategies; and
    (F) identify common air pollution controls used in agricultural production.
  (7) The student examines soil erosion as related to agricultural production. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify agricultural production practices that can contribute to soil erosion;
    (B) analyze effects of soil erosion;
    (C) discuss the legal aspects of soil erosion; and
    (D) identify soil erosion control methods and programs.
  (8) The student explains the effects of natural resource use. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify the progression of use of natural resources leading to environmental degradation;
    (B) explain the impact of human population dynamics on the environment;
    (C) discuss the abuse of natural resources; and
    (D) communicate the environmental consequences of natural resource use such as the impact on living organisms.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.11 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 40 TexReg 9123