Community
1 May, 2025
Visiting scientists talk technology
STUDENTS learned more about the future of agriculture thanks to a visit from CQUniversity scientists.
A free session was held for St Colman’s Primary School students on Monday after teacher Nicole Moulden arranged the visit.
Students had the opportunity to take part in two workshops focussed on learning more about coding in agricultural technology and the Australian honey industry.
“We’ve got the girls who have come in as farm agricultural scientists who are studying and teaching kids in our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs,” Ms Moulden said.
“They’re teaching our kids two programs – how bees make honey, and the effect on the environment and why we need to support Australian honey, and then we’re learning about automated tractors which includes how to operate and code an automated tractor.
“I saw there was the opportunity for a free session and, knowing our school is really limited in budget and funding as a catholic school, I though it would be a good idea.
“Our school does two terms of visual arts and two terms of STEM, which we’ve just finished, so I felt like it was kind of a reward and bit of fun because the kids are doing so well.
“They’ve only been doing STEM for two years, so coming back to school on the first day of the new term I thought why not do this to create a bit of engagement.”
Ms Moulden said the students had loved the opportunity to learn more about technology, especially as it is adjacent to such a prominent local industry.
“It’s been really good,” she said.
“The students have been so engaged, and it will really help – I also teach digital technology, so I can take the coding component in to the lessons we do.
“In the future kids are going to have to know how to code, it’s really important with things like ChatGPT, so giving them the skills to be lifelong learners.”
The program is part of Raising Aspirations in Career and Education in Agriculture (RACE) Victoria, a roadshow which provides incursion activities for students to gain a better understanding of Australian Agriculture.
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