School students prove their excellence in plant science

Published Tuesday, 16 August, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
The Honourable Leanne Donaldson

Students from around Australia have been recognised for their efforts at the 2016 Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Hermitage Schools Plant Science Competition Awards Ceremony today in Warwick.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Leanne Donaldson said this year’s competition celebrated International Year of Pulses and some of Queensland’s most profitable crops.

“This competition aims to stimulate interest in science and agriculture in young people and to promote the industry as a rewarding and exciting career choice,” Minister Donaldson said.  

“This year it’s achieved exactly that, with more than 160 schools from across the country registered, and more than 245 science and art entries received.”

Students were asked to perform a series of activities to show why the biology of pulse crops makes them an essential part of profitable, healthy, sustainable farming systems, as well as part of a nutritious diet.

“Activities for 2016 included a chickpea planting experiment, producing a pulse poster, designing a ‘Game of Pulses’, mapping pulses in the supermarket, and creating a spectacular pulse mandala,” the Minister said.

“The quality of entries that we received this year was exceptional, with strong interest in learning more about chickpeas, mungbeans and pulses in general.”

Major science and art prizes were won by Queensland schools:

  • Faith Christian School of Distance Education
  • Glasshouse Christian College
  • Calvary Christian College
  • Centenary Heights State High School
  • Oakey State High School
  • Pimlico State High School
  • Our Lady of the Southern Cross College
  • Chancellor State College
  • Groves Christian College of Distance Education
  • Hollis Home Education
  • Grand Avenue State School
  • Pullenvale State School
  • Ferny Grove State School
  • Pilton State School
  • Darling Downs & South West STEM Futures
  • Dalveen State School
  • Millchester State School
  • Biddeston State School
  • Freestone State School
  • Davies Homeschool
  • Windaroo Valley State High School
  • Mt Gravatt State High School
  • as well as interstate schools (Chevalier College, Clare High, New England Girls School and the Gumnut Flock homeschool).

 

Prizes include education scholarships, gift vouchers, trophies, books, gardening materials and grants to attend the 2016 Australian Pulse Conference in Tamworth next month.

For full competition winner details, contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au

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The 2016 My Pulse Rules competition was sponsored by:

  • Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC)
  • Woods Foods
  • Associated Grains
  • Emerald Agricultural College and Longreach Pastoral College (QATC)
  • Paul Johnston Memorial Trust
  • The University of Queensland
  • Education Queensland
  • Pioneer Seeds
  • Grains Research Foundation Ltd
  • Warwick Art Gallery
  • Susan Cruickshank Tutoring
  • Ag Institute of Australia
  • Blue Ribbon Seed and Pulse Exporters
  • NuSeed
  • The Crawford Fund
  • Selected Seeds
  • Professor and Mrs Joe Baker
  • John and Chris Purdie
  • New Edge Microbials

Contact: 0448 994 172