That's what happens with an open-ended project. They were only limited by the creativity of the group. In the beginning, the students weren't comfortable with this approach to learning, but the process was designed to help them learn how to ask the right questions, to discover concerns and problems, and then record the data and the resources. Creatively developing ideas to meet those concerns is the last step, said Malo. The situation was more than just textbook, it was real life, said Clay.
Students generally tend to think first about expanding an operation to improve income.
Beastrom's two daughters are hired help on the farm. One has now left for college, the other was a junior in high school at the time of the study. Clay asked the students. Each student consulting team developed a usable plan of action for the ranch. Every proposal had to be thought out carefully and inspected for its economic feasibility.