Welcome to the livestock biosecurity learning series for youth in agriculture, which can be adapted for post-secondary instruction too.
The goal for this six-module series is to instill the importance and habit of biosecurity with young people, so that it will spread to adults and create a new culture of biosecure farms.
Each module web page contains a set of tabs with additional information and resources.
Use the SCRUB Kit, which complements the learning modules and links STEM education by combining science with fun, hands-on activities.
Module Options
1. Learn on Your Own
The modules are easy to follow, and include many activities that help with remembering the information.
Receive a Certificate of Completion from Wisc-Online/Wisconsin's Technical Colleges
Receive a certificate of completion from Wisconsin Technical Colleges via Wisc-Online, when you complete the modules as a FREE two-course series. Click on the links below to get started:
2. Learn as Part of a Course
This option is for learners who are assigned one or more modules to complete on their own as a course requirement. Fill out the certificate of completion online after finishing each module. Then print it out to turn in to an instructor as proof of completion.
3. Learn With a Leader
For club and group leaders guiding learners through any of the modules. Award learners with a certificate of achievement that can be filled out online, printed, signed and awarded. The Teaching Resources tab on each module page contains instructional materials.
We need your help to evaluate the learning modules!
Your feedback is very important. Send learners to this link to get started - https://go.uvm.edu/sl5w9
Learning Modules

Module 1: What is Animal Biosecurity

Module 2: Routes of Infection

Module 3: Sources of Transmission Risk

Module 4: Biosecurity Strategies

Module 5: Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates I

Module 6: Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates II

SCRUB Kit: Science Creates Real Understanding of Biosecurity
Leader Information for All Modules
Guiding Teaching Philosophy: Discovery Learning
Discovery learning means that learners are presented with questions or tasks to complete to which they probably don’t know the answers. They are given supplemental information to inform their answers and the students make their best guesses.
Learners are not penalized for incorrect answers and are given immediate feedback as they progress through the pages of the modules. This helps learners interact with and think about the content instead of just scanning it.
The modules also introduce scientific terms to learners. They aren't expected to know terms and diseases in advance. Activities have hints and explanations to help students complete them. The goal of the modules is NOT to create veterinarians, but instead to create knowledgeable students and advocates for biosecure agricultural communities.
Technology Requirements
The learning modules require a desktop Mac or PC computer/laptop to view and interact with. They were not designed for smartphones or tablets. Some features will work on smartphones and tablets, but not all.
The modules will not expand to full screen. Use the web browser zoom-in or out options to enlarge or reduce the screen size, and click the F11 keyboard button to remove the browser navigation bar at the top of the screen.
Also, it is highly recommend that a printer be available for printing worksheets and summaries. This is especially true for the final module where students will be creating their own presentations.
Overview of the Series | Grades 3-5 | Grades 6 -8 | Grades 9-12 | Grades >12 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Module 1 - What is Animal Biosecurity?
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |
Module 2 - Biosecurity: Routes of Infection and Means of Transmission
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |
Module 3 - Biosecurity: Finding Sources of Disease Transmission Risk
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |
Module 4 - Biosecurity Strategies
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |
Module 5 - Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates I: Creating a Persuasive Presentation
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |
Module 6 - Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates II: Presenting Effectively
| With leader/ teacher | X | X | X |