AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS

The rules for this career development event are to be utilized in conjunction with the rules contained in the introduction section of the Arizona Association FFA Career Development Event Manual.

    Purpose

To effectively prepare the students for the expectations of the agricultural mechanics workplace. Tomorrows workers must not only develop a high degree of knowledge and skill, they must also develop the ability to solve difficult problems and work with others.

   Event Description

This CDE tests both technical and agricultural mechanics skills and your ability to work with others while solving problems. During the event, members complete a written exam and demonstrate problem-solving and hands-on performance skills. The event takes a “systems” approach and emphasizes machinery and equipment systems, related industry and marketing systems, energy systems, structural systems and environmental/natural resource systems.

  Standards

1.1	10.6	32.e
9.4	27.e	33.e
9.5	28.e	34.e
9.8	29.e	35.e
10.1	30.e	36.e
10.3	31.e	37.e

·      Machinery equipment

·      Construction

·      Environmental/ natural resources

·      Energy systems

  Objectives

The objective of the Agricultural Mechanics event is to test the student’s skills in the area of mechanics.

   Event Format

A.    Team Make-Up

A team will consist of four members, all four scores will count.

B.    Equipment

1.    Each participant will be responsible for all personal safety equipment including:

a)      Industrial Quality Eye Protection - Participant will be required to wear "eye protection devices" (spectacles or goggles) that meet the standards of the American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Education Eye and Face Protection, Z87.1-1979 (or Z87.1-1968) and any subsequent revisions thereof, approved by ANSI.  Dress eyewear DOES NOT qualify as Industrial Quality Eye Protection.

The descriptions of style A, B, and C Industrial Quality Eye Protection are as follows:

·      Style A - Safety spectacles without side shields are for limited hazard use requiring only frontal protection.  The addition of accessory side shields, which are not firmly secured, does not upgrade Style A to a Style B or C.  This style is NOT recommended for use in the event.

·      Style B - Safety spectacles with wire mesh, perforated plastic or non-perforated side shields.  The side shields shall be tapered with an anatomical periphery extending at least halfway around the circumference of the lens frames.  INDUSTRIAL QUALITY EYE PROTECTION FOR THOSE NOT WEARING PRESCRIPTION GLASSES SHALL BE STYLE B.

·      Style C - Safety spectacles with semi- or flat-fold shield which must be firmly secured to the frame.  Style "C" glasses do not provide maximum protection from the top and bottom angels and are not recommended.  Those wearing prescription eyewear which are not industrial quality must also wear goggles while performing in the event skill areas.

b)      Clothing - Each participant must furnish and wear coveralls, a shop coat or appropriate clothing for this event.  Clothing must be in good repair and fit properly.  Long sleeved clothing must be worn when welding or cutting and must be fire retardant.

c)       Specialized Safety Equipment - Necessary equipment such as helmets, welding goggles, shields, gloves, leathers and hearing protection devices will be provided by the University of Arizona.

2.    All tools and equipment will be furnished for the event.  Participants must use the tools and equipment furnished by the University of Arizona.

3.    All written materials will be furnished for the event.  Participants should provide clipboards and two sharpened No. 2 pencils.  The use of an electronic calculator is encouraged.  Personal computers may be provided for problem-solving activities.

C.     General Rules

1.    The State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event will be developed from the subject matter areas that are listed in Section H.

2.    The Career Development Event will be conducted in eight 15 minute sessions and one 30 minute group activity (x 2 groups), for a total of 180 minutes involving the following:

•        Written Examination - 30 minutes

•        Three Problem-Solving Areas @ 15 minutes each - 45 minutes

•        Structural and Environmental/Natural Resource Systems Skill - 15 minutes

•        Machinery and Equipment Systems Skill - 15 minutes

•        Energy Systems Skill - 15 minutes

•        Group Problem Solving/Skill - 30 minutes

•        Fifteen-minute layout periods may be added to accommodate additional participants.

3.  Each participant will be evaluated upon his or her performance on each of the activities as follows:

Highest team standing will be based upon the total points earned by the three high scoring participants representing each team.

4.  Each member of the competing team must participate in the following events:

a)      Online Examination, which covers all subject matter areas as identified in the competencies description page.  Each participant will complete 50 four-item, multiple-choice questions.  This exam will be administered prior to the event.  Information regarding the exam will be distributed by the State FFA Office.

b)      Written Examination, which covers all subject matter areas as identified in the competencies description page.  Each participant will complete 50 four-item, multiple-choice questions, 30 in each of the three event areas.  Each participant will have 30 minutes to complete the 90 questions.

c)        Problem Solving in which each participant will complete 30 activities, 10 in each of the three event areas.  A problem-solving activity is defined as a mental activity involving the gathering or searching of information and the use of a logical solution process based on commonly accepted standards and available information to solve a problem specific to a particular subject matter unit.

d)      Skill activities which are listed for the event for the year in question.  Each participant will complete specific hands-on performance operations in a 15 minute time period.

e)      Group Skill Activity has a minimum of 3 team members required for a team score to be entered.  At the chairman's discretion, individuals from different schools may be combined on site to create teams so individuals may earn a team score.

D.    Career Development Event Theme for Arizona

The Career Development Event Theme will follow the National Agricultural Mechanics Event rotation schedule, as contained in The National FFA Career Development Event Bulletin.  Specific competencies will be selected in a workshop of teachers held once each year. Specific information and materials for each year's event will be mailed to each department 60 days prior to the event.  If materials are not received, contact the Superintendent-Events at the University of Arizona.

E.     Career Development Event Theme for National FFA

Animal Production Systems 2011

Materials Handling Systems 2012 (tentative)

Processing Systems 2013 (tentative)

Plant production Systems 2014 (tentative)

Integrated Pest Management 2015 (tentative)

F.     Career Development Event Bulletin Additions

NOTE:  Upon receipt of event registration, teams will be assigned to event areas in the internal event rotation schedule until all teams are assigned.  Alternates will enter a pool and will be randomly assigned to the event (by luck of the draw) on the morning of the event.  Advisors MUST inform their alternate that he or she may be excluded from participation if the event fills before their number is drawn.  Past experience would indicate that sufficient cancellations will occur on the morning of the event to accommodate all alternates.