Classroom pilot plants seeds for the future

Developed by CANEGROWERS in partnership with the Primary Industries Education Foundation of Australia (PIEFA), the pilot is designed to give teachers practical, in-class professional development using CANEGROWERS’ One Plant, Many Products educational resources. 

Instead of simply handing out worksheets and hoping for the best, PIEFA educators worked directly with teachers to integrate the story of sugarcane into everyday lessons across subjects including science, geography and economics.  

The sessions highlighted sugarcane’s role not only in producing sugar, but also in generating electricity, ethanol and even bioplastics. 

CANEGROWERS Chief Executive Officer Dan Galligan said the initiative has the potential to change the way Queensland children understand agriculture. 

“This program is about making the story of sugarcane real for students,” Mr Galligan said. 

“When children discover that the crop they see in paddocks is powering homes, creating fuel and even making packaging, it changes the way they think about farming. Agriculture suddenly becomes part of their world – innovative, sustainable and full of opportunity.” 

St Francis Xavier Primary School teacher Paula Galea said the program was an invaluable opportunity for students. 

“Here at St Francis, we got involved in the pilot program because we thought it would be a great opportunity for students to learn about the sugar industry and engage with practical resources that would help with the learning of the whole process of cane farming, from the paddock to the plate and the packet,” Ms Galea said. 

“And it ties in really nicely with this year’s Way to Grow schools competition, where we’ve planted sugarcane and will watch it grow throughout the year.” 

PIEFA Chief Executive Officer Luciano Mesiti said the pilot helps students see the industry’s scope and opportunities. 

“It’s really important for young people to understand the cane industry, because there are so many opportunities in a region like Mackay,” Mr Mesiti said. 

“Students are going to be learning about the different products produced from sugarcane, as well as the processes and steps in the supply chain that transform it into various important products.” 

Mr Galligan said feedback from teachers and education leaders shows the value of expanding the program. 

“If a few of those kids grow up with a genuine interest in agriculture, or even just a stronger appreciation of where their food and fibre comes from, then we’ve achieved something valuable,” he said. 

CANEGROWERS has also released professionally developed educational material for high schools and is working with PIEFA on plans to roll out pilot sessions at more regional and metropolitan schools.