Close to the action: A Year 10 genetics class observing embryo transfer on a Timboon dairy farm.
This is the second in a series of articles about agriculture in secondary school education. It looks at an innovative project in Victoria’s Western District.
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Next week we ask some questions about teaching agriculture in Greater Shepparton.
In 2012, Timboon P-12 School was at a crossroads.
There was evidence of student disengagement in that year’s ‘Student Attitudes to School Survey’, and retention rates in student transition from primary to secondary school were low.
Recognising a disconnect between the school and the local community, the school leadership — in collaboration with teachers and school staff — aimed to increase students’ engagement in the school curriculum through introducing applied science and maths in the context of local agribusinesses and agriculture.
After obtaining funding, a steering committee comprising of teachers, industry personnel, vets, farmers, business operators, former students, field officers and parents was formed.
The group’s initial goals were to increase applied learning opportunities; increase the uptake of science, technology, engineering and maths; increase community engagement; increase school retention rates; and increase an awareness of agricultural career opportunities.
The resulting Timboon Agriculture Project (TAP) facilitated an applied learning approach in the classroom, linking the curriculum with tasks and activities associated with specific occupations and industries.
Hands-on: Timboon P-12 School’s Year 7/8 Cows Create Careers class learns about rearing healthy calves at a district farm.
This involves dozens of excursions, workshops, guest presenters, lesson plans and projects held throughout the school year and from Prep onwards — distinguished by the participation of business owners and industry experts.
A key to the strategy is ‘TAPping’ into the surrounding community to draw on the knowledge and skills.
TAP co-ordinator Andrea Vallance is both a dairy farmer and teacher, and has been the project’s co-ordinator since its inception in 2012.
She said improvements in the school had been observed across several measures of student engagement and wellbeing since the introduction of TAP.
Timboon Year 7 to 9 students responded positively to questions of school connectedness, which was well above the state average and the average of similar rural schools.
Smells like success: Students harvesting at Timboon’s lavender farm.
Retention rates of students going from Year 6 to Year 7 is now close to 100 per cent, which was one of the big drivers in the beginning.
Student attitudes to school and attendance rates have increased since the introduction of TAP.
Numeracy outcomes in NAPLAN at all year levels at the school climbed annually from 2012 to 2015 and have been maintained and/or are trending upwards at a more gradual level from 2016-19.
NAPLAN results indicate secondary numeracy levels continue to sit above state averages.
Timboon P-12 School principal Davin Reid said TAP demonstrated that, despite the challenges, real learning could still take place.
“It is programs and initiatives like TAP that sustain a school and a community,” Mr Reid said.
“The TAP brings people together and it is these lessons that students remember — the visits, guest speakers and activities.
“The smiles on students’ faces when they are able to be involved in their community and the sense of pride they have in the TAP is amazing.
“We hope to continue to expand the program and take on new challenges but at the core will be the engagement in learning in anything we do.”
Timboon teacher Anne Frazer said the key to incorporating agriculture into the curriculum was flexibility.
“It’s all about how you use the Victorian curriculum and that is how we’ve managed to make so many links in science to ag,” she said.
From paddock to plate: A Year 3/4 class with a chef learning about combining flavours using cabbage during Healthy Body, Healthy Bones unit, as part of the Timboon Agriculture Project.
“My take on the TAP is that having it within the school has taught us to ‘think’ and then ‘link’ — with help!
“We have become good at adapting and seeing the possibilities.”
The Timboon Agriculture Project is funded through in-kind support from industry and community partners, sponsorship by business, and local philanthropic trusts.
In its early years there was funding from Dairy Australia through WestVic Dairy and the Gardiner Foundation.
MAKING THE LINK
How do teachers connect agriculture to the current Victorian education curriculum?
Some examples from the Timboon Agriculture Project are:
Year 5/6:
Science, Science as Human Endeavour: Decisions to grow plants/crops are dependent on the environment.
Biology: Growth and survival — the effects of changing saltwater concentrations, use of fertilisers, soil types.
Earth and Space: Water and water management.
Year 9/10:
Science, Science as Human Endeavour, Biology: Genetics.
Biology: Ecosystems — studying bees.
Earth and Space: Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient cycles.
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