Biology expands students’ views on ecosystems across the world. Photo Courtesy of freshman reporter Vyolet Burrus.

  San Luis Obispo High School requires all students to take a biology class their freshman year, but it’s up to them if they want to learn standard biology, or start their pathway into agriculture biology. 

  Expressions interviewed freshmen in both standard and agriculture biology, to better understand their choices for joining each class, and how they’ve felt about it so far.

Expressions: Why did you choose the class that you’re in?

Agriculture Biology student and Freshman Selene Ramirez: I’ve always loved animals since I was little. I know bio has a lot to do with animals and plants, but agriculture expands outside of that, so I’ll get to learn a lot of new things about agriculture.

Biology student and Freshman Ella Blair: My mom works in the medical field, so I was pretty curious about that side of biology, and I think the topic is pretty interesting overall. Also this class covers more topics, and isn’t solely focused on the agriculture side.

Agriculture Biology student and Freshman Ava Rhodes: I chose ag bio because I heard that it would be more hands-on and less learning out of textbooks.

Biology student and Freshman Leila Milton: I wanted to have more variety and learn more about animals and ecosystems, so I thought it would be best if I did something that would let me explore the variety instead of just being in ag bio, which would be mainly concentrated on agriculture.

Expressions: What do you like about the class so far?

Ramirez: We haven’t started the agriculture projects that we’re doing, but I’ve been really interested in learning about it, and I know I’m going to do something about animals.

Blair: So far I’ve really liked the labs and experiments, and all of the interactive stuff.

Rhodes: I’m looking forward to the agricultural SAE project because I think it’ll be a really good learning experience.

Milton: Well, my teacher is really nice, and I’ve been learning about a lot of things, but it’s mainly focused on ecosystems, which I really enjoy. I also think my group is pretty awesome!

Expressions: What would you say is the biggest difference between this year’s science class and last year’s?

Ramirez: Last year we didn’t do a lot about living things, we focused more on the actions, and like how stuff works, but right now I get to learn about animals and living organisms which I enjoy a lot more.

Blair: We’re focusing more on things like biology, whereas in eighth grade we focused on a bunch of different things like astronomy and geography and all the different stuff.

Rhodes: From what I remember about eighth grade science, a lot of it was the teacher lecturing, and not a lot of hands-on stuff, and I think this class will be the opposite.

Milton: The class is more pushed into one category, instead of learning about space and physics and all the different categories like last year. Right now I’m just learning biology, so we’re learning about how things grow and what the characteristics of life are, and energy sources and all of the components of biology.

Expressions: Are you happy with your choice for this class?

Ramirez: Yeah I’m actually really happy that I picked it, especially because of the project, and I think this is something that could eventually lead into a career choice.

Blair: Yeah I like it, I think it’s been pretty good.

Rhodes: I’m glad that I chose ag bio, and I’m really excited to see what we do later this year.

Milton: Yeah, I think I have some pretty awesome teammates and a really nice teacher who can tolerate my humor, which not very many people can do.

  These freshmen are pretty satisfied with their choices this year, are you?