Australia’s Sustainable Cotton Crops
Produced By:
PIEFA and Cotton Australia
States:
QLD, NSW, SA, NT, ACT, TAS, WA, VIC
Aimed at:
Year 7
- 10
Curriculum 8.4
Curriculum 9.0:
AC9TDE8K01 AC9TDE8K02 AC9TDE8K04 AC9TDE10K01 AC9TDE10K02 AC9TDE10K04 AC9S7H03 AC9S8H03 AC9S9H02 AC9S10H02 ACS7I01 ACS8I01 ACS9I01 ACS10I01 AC9S7I02 AC9S8I02 AC9S9I02, AC9S10I02 AC9S7I03 AC9S8I03 AC9S9I03 AC9S10I03 AC9S7I04 AC9S8I04 AC9S9I04 AC9S10I04 AC9S7I05 AC9S8I05 AC9S9I05 AC9S10I05 AC9S7I06 AC9S8I06 AC9S9I06 AC9S10I06
Lesson Type:
Subjects:
Keywords:
sustainability, fibre, cottonseed, investigation, data, best management practices, BMP, innovation, technology
Australia’s Sustainable Cotton Crops
This series of three educational resources for Year 7 to Year 10 introduces students to the Australian cotton industry. Through research, multimedia resources, and hands-on investigations, students will explore cotton’s role as a renewable, biodegradable fibre, examine sustainability initiatives, and investigate the impact of data collection on cotton production in Australia.
Students examine sustainability practices within the cotton industry by identifying sustainable actions in their school community and comparing them with industry-wide Best Management Practices (BMPs). They evaluate sustainable production techniques that promote environmental stewardship and social and economic sustainability for long-term viability.
The resource includes a hands-on scientific investigation. Students design an experiment to explore how the planting depth of cotton seeds affects germination and plant growth. They collect data and analyse the results to understand how scientific research informs agricultural decision-making to improve cotton yield and profitability. They will also explore real-world applications of precision agriculture and analyse how Australian cotton growers use technology and data-driven strategies to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
Designed for different year levels and abilities and suitable for senior Agriculture students, these resources support teachers and encourage students to engage with real-world agricultural challenges while developing critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills.
LESSON 1 | Data Driven Cotton Crops
Students will investigate the variables that affect cotton production and explore the ways in which data collection and analysis can help to improve yield rates and increase profitability. They will plan and conduct a scientific investigation to observe the impact of a chosen variable on cotton plant growth. After analysing the results of this investigation, students will further explore the role of scientific data collection in crop management on a global, national, and local scale. They will engage with real-world scenarios showcasing how precision agriculture technologies are used to collect and manage this data.
Lesson Overview:
Activity 3.1 – Planning a Scientific Investigation (20 minutes)
Activity 3.2 – Conducting a Scientific Investigation (30 minutes plus observations over approx. 4 weeks)
Activity 3.3 – Using Data to Improve Yield (30 minutes)
LESSON 2 | Sustainable Practices – myBMP
Activity 2.1 – Introduction to Sustainability in Agriculture and the Australian Cotton Industry (20 mins)
Activity 2.2 – Best Management Practices and Sustainability (20 mins)
Activity 2.3 – PEOPLE, PLANET, and PADDOCK Sustainability Case Studies (60 mins)
LESSON 3 | What Do You Need to Grow a Cotton Crop
Students learn about cotton’s vital role as a renewable, biodegradable natural fibre. They will differentiate between natural and made fibres, identifying their distinct characteristics and applications in the textile industry. Students will analyse the optimal abiotic and biotic resources required for successful cotton production and cultivation, recognising their influence on both the quality and quantity of cotton yield.
Lesson Overview:
Activity 1.1 – Cotton Fibre Quality (60 – 80 mins)
Activity 1.2 – Life Stages Of Cotton Production (60 – 80 mins)
Activity 1.3 – Factors Influencing Production (60 – 80 mins)
