Applied Learning Activities (ALAs) can help build important connections between small scientific details and large-scale visible results. The addition of ALAs in a crop physiology course has been a critical change to bridge the gap between molecular processes and problems we can see and need to diagnose in the field. Success of implementation was evaluated through student survey. From this data there are three key observations that emerged. First, ALAs can provide context for students as they dive into physiology. Second, concepts explored in ALAs need to be assessed multiple times through the unit or semester. If ALAs stand alone, the connections are not lost by students by the end of the semester. Lastly, working in groups is more impactful that having ALAs completed as individual activities. This likely stems from the thinking required to formulate a question and response and evaluating the output of the group. In conclusion, ALAs can be an important tool for instructors to help students apply their learning to real-world situations.