(Please note that this website is still under construction: last update Su 19.03.2006) 

The Biology Hands on Farming Programme is a collaborative programme between the Education Division (Curriculum Department) and the Department of Agriculture.

This programme is run by Dr. Charles F. Grech Dip. For., D.L.I.S., B. Com., P.G.D.E. (Adm & Mgt), E. M. Env. Mgt., Ph.D. (Aberdeen), (teacher in charge) of the Curriculum Management Department of the Education Division.

The contents at present: Below you will find the programme's postal address, our website and email address. Teachers wanting to make an appointment for their biology students to make a visit to the Government Experimental Farm at Ghammieri, Qormi are to contact Dr. Grech on cf.grech@onvol.net

Teachers please note

BIOLOGY HANDS ON FARMING PROGRAMME.

SCHOLASTIC YEAR   2005 – 2006  

BOOKINGS SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOL VISITS  

(ALL SCHOOLS)

To be inserted

Please note!

The above schedule is indicative only and changes may be effected according to the different needs and abilities of students, and feedback from teachers participating in this programme. Any changes need not necessarily be notified on this website.

The maximum number of each group of students is 15.

Day Visit Preparation

It is strongly recommended that all visitors to the Biology Hands on Farming Programme should bring the following items with them:

• Sun cap or hat

• Sun block lotion

• Wear rubber soled shoes and bring Wellington boots especially if the weather has been rather wet. (Remember the Maltese proverb ‘Xemx u xita Alla biss jaf meta’) 

• Students should wear school activity wear like the school tracksuit.

• Students may opt to get a pair of surgical gloves with them for use during the practical sessions

Daily Programme 

The daily programme consists of the students coming to the Ghammieri Government Experimental Farm at 09hrs.

They will be met by the teacher in charge who will give a short introduction explaining the day's programme. 

At sometime between 1030 to 1130hrs, there will be a short break lasting 15 minutes. 

Following the break the students will have another session deal with some topic related to agriculture.

At 1215hrs the students prepare to leave the farm which they do by 1230hrs.

Activities 

FAQs

1.    We are often asked the question of who works in agriculture?

The following is a list of different people who work in agriculture.

• 1.    Farmers

• 2.    Animal husbandry persons

• 3.    Viticulturalists

• 4.    Foresters

• 5.    Horticulturalists

• 6.    Soil Scientists

• 7.    Agro-chemists

• 8.    Agro-economists

• 9.    Agri-businesspeople

• 10.  Agri-managers

• 11.  Floriculturalists

• 12.  Botanists

• 13.  Entomologists

• 14.  Pomologists

• 15.  Ecologists

• 16.  Biologists

The following topics with be dealt with as part of the Biology Matsec Syllabus during the programme

Section A: Plant Reproduction

Reproduction in plants: sexual and asexual

Types of pollination; wind/insect

Types of flowers and their parts

Seed dispersal

Seed germination process and dormancy

Methods of asexual reproduction

In nature and under cultivation

Section B: Biological Control & Integrated Pest Management

1.        Pesticides: use, impacts, safety measures, effects on ecology and human health (farmer as a producer/man as consumer)

2.        Biological control and integrated pest mangement of pests and diseases

Section C: Fertiliser use and agricultural pollutants

1.        Fertilisers: Type (organic and inorganic) uses, safety aspects, effect of nitrates on water table. Phosphates and algal blooms in rivers and shallow seas.

2.        Pollution of air/water/land/sea. Effects, and damage reduction. Carrying capacity.

Section D: Pant and Animal Classification

1.        The plant kingdom: observation of specimens and simple classification of plants.

2.        The animal kingdom: observation of specimens and simple classification of animals. Focus on Farm animals such as horse, pig, donkey, goat, sheep, cow, chicken, turkey, monkey, ostrich and local mammals, reptiles, amphibian and birds.

3.        Herbivores, Carnivores & Omnivores

Section E: Soil, Ecosystems, Conservation & Habitat Restoration

1.        Soil types. Soil Conservation Law, practical farmer tips on soil conservation.

2.        Agricultural Ecosystems/habitats/communities/populations vrs Natural Ecosystems/habitats/communities/populations

Contact us for feedback etc.

Parents, teachers and students are invited to send in any comments and suggestions that they may have to handsonfarming@schoolnet.gov.mt. Students may also submit copies of their reports, photos and other work for inclusion in the ‘Students’ Page.’

Please fill in a comments and feedback form and email it to us. 

Please follow the following steps.

1. Block the form below

2. Right click on mouse

3. Click on copy

4. Go to your word and open a new document

5. Click paste

6. Save as your document

7. Fill in the form

8. Fill in and send it in as an attachment to your email to  handsonfarming@schoolnet.gov.mt

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