The school engagement activities were part of CQUniversity’s hugely successful Agri-Tech Education and Extension research team.
“(Last) year we have connected with more students, teachers, parents and industry partners than ever before,” CQUniversity’s Agri-Tech Education and Extension team leader Associate Professor Amy Cosby said.
“More than 5700 students registered for events across the country to increase their knowledge and perception of ag and careers.”
In December, the entire Park Avenue State School student cohort took part in the Kids 2 Farm project for a day, highlighting the support the team has received from schools in central Queensland.
Nearly 1500 students from 33 schools in Central Queensland have participated in the team’s program this year.
The Agri-Tech Education and Extension team also launched five micro-credentials for Queensland teachers in 2024, awarding an impressive 450 digital badges to educators.
CQUniversity senior lecturer Jaime Manning said the micro-credentials aimed to upskill agricultural teachers so they could impart the knowledge and understanding that their students will need for future careers in the sector.
Dr Manning said many of the teachers who took part in the program had little agricultural knowledge or qualifications.
“It is important to us that our projects also reach teachers who may not be confident with agriculture,” she said.
“These micro-credentials were a way to showcase to them the various ways they can embed agricultural concepts into their curriculum, into their classrooms, regardless of what they are teaching.”
CQUniversity was also announced as the provider of the Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools program.
“This initiative will activate school engagement and education programs, introducing young Queenslanders to the many exciting careers available in the state’s agricultural industry,” Assoc Prof Cosby said.
“It’s just another way we will be engaging with the state’s school students in the coming years.”
