(2)  Nature of science. Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process." This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable.

(3)  Scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world. Scientific methods of investigation are experimental, descriptive, or comparative. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked.

(4)  Science and social ethics. Scientific decision making is a way of answering questions about the natural world. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods (scientific methods) and ethical and social decisions that involve science (the application of scientific information).

(5)  Science, systems, and models. A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. All systems have basic properties that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.



*At least 40% of instructional time, conducts laboratory and field investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices
*Use scientific methods and equipment during laboratory and field investigations
* Use critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom
*Research current topics in veterinary medicine, recognizes the importance of animals in society, and discusses professional ethics and laws that relate to veterinary medicine
*Evaluate veterinary hospital management and marketing to determine its importance to the success of veterinary clinics and hospitals
*Communicate the importance of medical terminology, evaluates veterinary terms to discover their meanings, and demonstrates the ability to use terms correctly
* Explore the area of animal management as it relates to animal identification, animal characteristics, and behavioral temperament
*Investigates the body systems and gains a working knowledge of each system's purpose and functions and how each system is affected by disease
*Performs mathematical calculations used in veterinary medicine
*Evaluate animal diseases and identifies internal and external parasites
*Evaluates an animal's health during a clinical examination
*Identifies imaging equipment and demonstrates how to safely operate and maintain equipment
*Determines nutritional requirements for ruminant and non-ruminant animals and communicates the importance of animal nutrition in maintaining a healthy animal
*Examines various aspects of clinical hematology and veterinary pathology
*Identify hospital procedures, skills, and objectives that are included in the job description of an animal care assistant
*Identifies and discusses surgical-assisting procedures, skills, and objectives that are included in the job description of an animal care assistant
*Identifies pharmacology-assisting procedures, skills, and objectives that are included in the job description of an animal care assistant
*Develops an improved supervised agriculture experience program as it relates to agriculture, food, and natural resources