April 2, 2014
The State Government has launched a schools-based competition, Bug Attack, aimed at getting students hooked on agriculture.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said today the DAFF Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition aimed to make students more aware of the great, long-term, careers available in agriculture.
“To grow agriculture as one of the four pillars of our economy, it is important we encourage young Queenslanders to learn more about rewarding careers in the sector,” Mr McVeigh said.
“Agriculture underpins tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to our economy. It’s the lifeblood of our regional communities, so it’s vital we foster an interest in science and agriculture among school students so they take up careers in the sector.”
Mr McVeigh said the competition offered engaging ways for students to understand skills in key areas identified in the Australian science curriculum.
“Focussing on bugs raiding foodstuffs in the kitchen pantry, students from prep to Year 12 will undertake experiments to learn more about insect pests and hopefully ignite a love of agricultural science and research,” he said.
DAFF competition organiser Kerrie Rubie said because the competition was linked to the new Australian school curriculum, it was easy for teachers to incorporate it into learning programs.
“The competition has so far helped more than 70,000 students increase their knowledge of agriculture and crop science,” Ms Rubie said.
“Students will undertake hands-on experiments, observing bugs in the classroom and at home.”
Prizes include trophies, medallions and certificates, digital microscopes/cameras, science books, gardening packs, art packs, science kits and educational DVDs, a 12-month subscription to a science journal worth $500, a $250 gift certificate and $1000 towards tertiary education materials.
Entries for the 2014 DAFF Hermitage Research Facility Schools Science Competition close on June 27.
- More information is available online
