The Lawton Chiles Agriculture and Innovation Program

Think and Design is Lawton Chiles Middle School’s Program of Emphasis, grounded in design thinking, AgriScience, and problem-based learning. As students encounter an increasing number of accelerated and career-focused courses in both middle and high school, it is essential that they begin exploring their interests early. Middle school offers a critical window for students to discover their strengths, develop new passions, and explore pathways that may lead to meaningful future careers.

Think and Design directly supports student entry into Hagerty High School’s Model, Simulation and Analysis Program and Oviedo High School’s Roots to Research Agricultural Program. Think and Design is not just a program—it is a culture at Lawton Chiles Middle School, encouraging students to explore, innovate, and design their futures.

6th Grade: THINK: Exploration of AgriScience (Semester)

This introductory AgriScience course engages students in hands-on learning modules that explore the connections between agriculture, food science, nutrition, technology, and environmental science. Students solve real-world problems through collaboration, creativity, and teamwork while examining the impact of agricultural systems on everyday life. Inquiry and self-exploration guide students as they begin to identify their interests within agricultural and STEM fields.

7th/8th Grade: THINK: Exploration of Marketing Occupations (Semester)

In Exploration of Marketing Occupations, students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills related to the area of Marketing, Sales and Service, with a focus on Agribusiness. This course provides students with initial exposure to the skills and attitudes associated with a broad range of occupations related to careers in marketing, sales and service. Students should have completed the 6th grade THINK course before taking this course. 

8th Grade: THINK: AgriScience Foundations 1 (Yearlong, High School Credit)

AgriScience Foundations is a yearlong advanced AgriScience course for motivated 8th graders interested in agricultural science, biotechnology, engineering concepts, and environmental systems. Students must have completed the 6th grade THINK course and submit an application to enroll. In this course, students participate in problem-based learning, scientific inquiry, lab investigations, and STEM-focused projects. The course prepares students for the AEST Agricultural Foundations Certification Exam.

7th/8th Grade: DESIGN: Engineering (Semester)

In DESIGN, students learn how to think like engineers, designers, and problem solvers. They explore real-world challenges through hands-on projects that involve building, testing, and improving their ideas. Using creativity, teamwork, and technology, students discover how science, math, and design come together to create solutions that make the world better.

7th/8th Grade: DESIGN: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (Semester)

Fundamentals of AI will prepare students to be successful both personally and professionally in an AI-based society. This course provides competency-based applied learning in all aspects of AI and Machine Learning required for AI-enabled professionals, including higher-order reasoning and problem solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills.