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Grass, Goats, and Uninvited Guests!

ID

4H-876P

Authors as Published

Authored by Chantel Wilson, 4-H STEAM Extension Specialist and Associate Professor, Virginia State University

This publication is available in a PDF file format only.

The Grass, Goats, and...Uninvited Guests! curriculum focuses on small ruminant (sheep and goats) parasitology and diagnostics. The activities blend animal science, biology, ecology, agriculture, and math concepts while incorporating important 4-H youth life skills such as critical thinking, decision making, learning to learn, goal setting, organization, wise resource use, and communication. This innovative, hands-on curriculum uses goat (or sheep) stuffed animal models, group learning, and edible treats to teach participants about the FAMACHA© system and hematocrit determination to diagnose anemia, dag scoring, body condition scoring, fecal worm egg counts, and treatment for barber pole worm. These activities do not require the use of any live animals or incur high costs, which may be beneficial for programs in urban or underserved areas. The curriculum is adaptable for multiple age levels and includes an optional project component. For the project, participants are given the chance to conduct research and create their own model to teach others about a disease or parasite occurring in their favorite animal.


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Publication Date

October 21, 2022