February 2019 Newsletter
Well, term one is in full swing and 2019 is well underway so it's high time for the first edition of the PIEFA Newsletter for the year. We hope you had a great summer break and the new year is being kind to you. Below you'll find, as always, lots of great resources and opportunities for you and your students.
One of the most exciting is the University of Tasmania's marine discovery program scholarship which is open to Year 11 and 12 students and gives them five days on Maria Island doing marine biology work. Plus don't miss the new Australian Lamb Paddock to Plate virtual reality experience and roadshow that's touring now.
We're also delighted to announce that the Queensland Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (RJSA) has joined us as a platinum Career Harvest member and therefore is now an associate member of PIEFA too. If you, your business or your school would like to support us in our mission to promote the importance of Australia's primary industries please don't hesitate to contact me.
Happy reading!
Ben Stockwin, CEO, PIEFA
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Send us your news!
If you would like to submit a news item for the next edition please email info@piefa.edu.au. |
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Queensland RJSA joins as Career Harvest platinum member
PIEFA is exceptionally pleased to welcome the Queensland Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (RJSA) as a platinum Career Harvest member and associate member of PIEFA. We welcome RJSA’s experience, network and knowledge in this space and know it will help make a great contribution to helping provide students with accurate, up to date and exciting information about a career in Australia’s strongest industry.
To inquire about PIEFA membership or support Career Harvest please email CEO Ben Stockwin.
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Your chance to win a Little Brick Pastoral Careers in Agriculture Calendar
To showcase the diverse careers in our food and fibre industry every month enter the PIEFA competition to win a Little Brick Pastoral 2019 Careers in Agriculture Calendar. All you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter and forward a screenshot of the confirmation to office@piefa.edu.au. If you are already a subscriber, don't worry! Just forward a copy the most recent newsletter email. But be quick - only the first 30 people will receive their free calendar (RRP $20). Follow along with Little Brick Pastoral on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Investigate soils: Years 5 and 6, Science and Technologies
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is pleased to present Investigate: soils, a stage 3 science and technology investigation aimed at introducing students to the value and complexity of soils. The 2019 Investigate: soils competition is also now open to all NSW Stage 3 students and teachers. View resource.
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How does your garden grow: Years 1 to 4, Health & PE, Science and Technologies
This Stage 2 resource grew from a conversation between young students questioning why they could still buy grapes if they were out of season, which led to a discussion around when we grow certain fruit and vegetables. This resource now covers planting for the seasons and factors that influence healthy plant growth. View resource.
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University of Tasmania (UTAS) Marine Discovery Scholarship
Year 11 and 12 students from all across Australia have the opportunity to get a head start on a career in the water and credit towards a degree at UTAS with a five-day program on Maria Island exploring the marine environment. Scholarship applications close 24 February 2019.
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Tayla Field paves way for successful horticulture career
For anyone interested in a career in horticulture, Hort Frontiers’ article about Tayla Field (a Young Farming Champion) and her time spent in the Masterclass of Horticultural Business is a great read. While Tayla’s path is just one of the ways to get into the horticultural field, her story highlights the wide range of possibilities available.
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DAF Hermitage Schools Plant Science Competition registration now open
The QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition offers engaging ways for students to gain understanding and skills in key areas identified within the Australian Science Curriculum. Open to P-12 students Australia-wide and with free registration, the 2019 competition will focus on ‘Pest Invaders’ and will give students a chance to win great prizes. Registrations are now open.
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The Australian Lamb Paddock to Plate story in virtual reality
An immersive free resource from Meat and Livestock Australia's online platform Good Meat, the Australian Lamb Paddock to Plate story showcases each step of the lamb production chain, underpinning how Australia produces the world’s best Lamb, from the farm right through to the consumer. Viewers are taken on a journey from Australian sheep farming to transportation, processing, and end markets, such as butchers using innovative 360-degree 3D virtual reality technology. This virtual reality experience will be hitting the road on for a three month journey February to May 2019, visiting schools and communities in areas close to Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle. Follow the journey, see curriculum links and submit your application here.
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Chicks in your school
Bring the farm to your school with Australian Eggs' school hatchery program and watch chicks hatch and bringing a hands-on experience of the life cycle of a chicken into your classroom. Use the additional educational material such as interactive whiteboard lessons to provide your students with a unique learning experience. Receive 12 ready-to-hatch eggs, plus all the equipment and some bonus learning resources ready for your 2-week experience by booking now.
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Agricultural Educators Association of WA Memberships now due
The association welcomes membership from teachers, VET trainers, and representatives of industry. There are some generous subsidies set aside this year to attend conferences so make sure you renew/sign up. Email ag.educators.wa@gmail.com to find out more.
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Opportunity for agriculture graduate to pursue teaching career
The Agricultural Educators Association of WA is proud to offer a scholarship for a graduate of agricultural science or agribusiness to undertake an education degree. Once qualified, there could be employment opportunities in WA schools, or other schools across Australia teaching science, agriculture, or more. Download the information pack before applications close on Friday 15 March 2019.
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Plan your Ekka education competitions now
The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) has this year provided year level recommendations for their education competitions in alignment with the Australian Curriculum. Head to the Ekka website to see the fun and engaging ways you can give your students an ag-ucation.
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Seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling and talking TASTE
Week of Tastes is about helping Year 4 students to recognise, appreciate and articulate diverse tastes and flavours to choose their food wisely. In August 2019 the Week of Tastes will be delivering a food education program to students using sensory exercises, language development and the interaction with local food producers. Registration is now open.
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Archibull Prize journey of discovery for students
If you are a teacher who wants to take your students on a journey of discovery into the world of Australian agriculture, where art and technology combine, then the Archibull Prize is for you and entries for the 2019 competition are now open. Find out everything you need to know here.
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Year 9 students FaceTime a Farmer
In November 2018 the WA Department of Education trialled a version of “FaceTime a Farmer” with a metropolitan Year 9 Humanities and Social Sciences class. In a 23 minute exchange there were 16 hits on the curriculum. The sessions were taped for future use by the school, and it is hoped that these direct exchanges between industry and education can expand in 2019, with session for classes as well as teacher professional learning. Email Alysia Kepert to find out more.
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Un-BEE-lievable 2019 Crop Maze
A massive image of a native Tasmanian bee flying from her hive, has been carved into a five hectare maize crop in Tasmania by farmer Rowan Clark. The crop maze at Rupertswood Farm will open to the public from Saturday, 2 March February 2019 for five weekends only and mid-week for pre-booked groups.
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NSW professional learning opportunities
The NSW Department of Education still has a number of professional learning opportunities for NSW public school teachers to support Technology Mandatory for Term 1 2019. These include:
Fast and the Curious: workshops to teachers implementing the Fast and Curious unit of work in Dubbo on 28 February and Sydney on 5, 6 and 7 March.
GPS Cows: workshops to teachers implementing the GPS Cows unit of work in Bathurst on 4 March, Parkes on 5 March, Griffith on 6 March, Albury on 8 March, Sydney on 11 March, Wollongong on 12 March, Armidale on 1 April, Port Macquarie on 2 April and Ballina on 4 April.
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Want to bring drones into your classroom, without stress?
PIEFA has secured a 20 per cent discount to She Maps online Drone Essentials Teacher Professional Development. This course gives teachers everything they need to bring drones into your classroom. Lesson plans, activities, step by step set up instructions and the live support from Dr Karen Joyce! Use Coupon Code ’PIEFA’ at checkout.
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Careers with STEM tackles science skills
The latest issue of Careers with STEM: Science is now making its way to Australian secondary schools, universities, museums and subscribers. This issue looks at how science expertise drives industrial advances, better wellbeing, healthier food and environments. It also covers how science skills are increasingly in demand outside of research and inside many of today’s biggest employers.
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From Paddock to Plate schools program
Quality food & farming educational resources are paramount to ensure a strong future for farmers. The national From Paddock to Plate schools program showcases real-life food production processes of various food industries, highlighting careers & opportunities in Agri-Food. Subscribe to FP2P and gain 300+ online educational resources for $450 + GST.
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Creating a pathway to a career on farm
A new report has been released by Nuffield Australia on "Who will help run the farm? Creating a pathway to a career on farm for the next generation of farm managers". Presented by Daniel Kahl, a 2017 Nuffield Scholar from Wee Waa in NSW, the report investigates existing programs based in industry, education and privately, that assist a person’s development towards a career in farm management.
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The need to take food education in Australian schools more seriously
As part of a series on the politics of food, The Conversation recently published an article about the renewed interest in food education and the broad benefits of teaching food literacy and skills. What's missing from the article, however, is the to also incorporate into food education learning about food production and other primary industries. Nonetheless the call for a more focused curriculum including food education makes for an interesting read.
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PIEFA gratefully acknowledges the continued support of its members
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Thank you also to our associate members
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