Year 7-8: Sustainable Food and Fibre Production

Supporting students to learn about Australian agriculture’s role in sustainability

Lesson 1: Sustainable Food and Fibre Solutions – Where is the STEM?

This lesson explores the role of agriculture in society, emphasising sustainable food and fibre production through STEM applications to address climate change and food security. Students will analyse case studies and engage in a hands-on STEM challenge to design and build a model portable vertical farm for the 2032 Summer Olympics, incorporating innovation, research, and peer feedback.

Lesson 2: Exploring Soil Chemistry: Nutrients and Soil as a Mixture

In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of soil chemistry by exploring soil as a mixture, separating its mineral particles, learning about the essential nutrients it contains, and applying soil testing to improve plant yield. A case study will illustrate the real-world application of soil testing.

Lesson 3: Sustainable Innovation and Technology at Work

In this lesson, students will explore the role of technological innovations in promoting sustainability within the agricultural sector. Through a series of engaging activities, they will examine various technologies (historical and current), their applications in agriculture, and their impacts on sustainability. This lesson will deepen students’ understanding of how innovation drives progress in sustainable food and fibre production.

Lesson 4: Sustainable Food and Fibre Data

Students will explore the critical role of data in enhancing food and fibre production through sustainable agricultural practices. This lesson will introduce them to the collection, analysis, and technological applications of data in agriculture. They will engage with anonymous data sets to understand the methodologies behind data gathering and its implications for decision-making processes. Through analysing real-world emissions data, students will uncover the benefits of data utilisation, particularly in enhancing efficiency, and sustainability, and reducing environmental impacts.

Lesson 5: Winning with Water

In this lesson, students will expand their understanding of water scarcity and management. They will gain a deeper understanding of strategies to manage water sustainability through case studies highlighting contemporary irrigation techniques. Students will collaborate in groups to conduct a fieldwork experiment to develop their knowledge of irrigation practices in agriculture. Additionally, students will develop their skills by interpreting and analysing geographical data.