Media Release 22.7.24
The Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia’s (PIEFA) Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (SFIRP) team continues to deliver key professional learning opportunities and new resources to NSW teachers. SFIRP’s mission is to help strengthen storm and flood impacted communities by building the capacity of educators to deliver food and fibre curriculum, which will ultimately boost interest in career opportunities within local primary industries. With the program set to conclude in October 2024, several free professional development opportunities remain, including online and in-person workshops.
Since the inception of the program in 2023, the SFIRP team has delivered over 38 presentations and workshops to highly engaged audiences, including over 600 educators from NSW flood affected LGA’s. These events received overwhelmingly positive feedback, demonstrating the importance of continuous professional development in order for new and established teachers to stay up-to-date with ever evolving advancements in the field.
Teacher PD workshops provide opportunities for secondary teachers and careers advisors to discover new classroom resources developed by SFIRP and PIEFA teams and by key industry stakeholders, learn hands-on skills, and network with fellow educators and primary industry experts. Educators from various subject areas have participated, including agriculture, science and geography.
A snapshot of previous events
Ettalong | Maintaining Pollination for Plant Production using AI
Participants engaged with an exploration of sustainable horticulture and an AI algorithm which was presented by Fraser Border from Integrated STEM, that creatively explored a digital and mechanical IPM solution to issues with bee production, demonstrating a world of future possibilities for students to explore in the classroom.
Educators came away with expanded real-world knowledge in the use of AI for plant production, noting their positive experiences as:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the PD at Ettalong and haven’t stopped talking about all I learned.”
“The PD was fantastic and I can’t see how it could be improved”
“What an amazing day! Showcasing resources coupled with industry experience was fantastic”
Bathurst | Cultivating Classrooms: Integrating Food and Fibre into the Curriculum – Cropping and Pasture
Presented in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, participants explored areas such as grains and soil testing and accessed new resources, including a sample of insect frass to experiment with in their schools.
Educators noted the positive experience of the afternoon with one participant sharing: “Today was fantastic with excellent conversation and resources.”
Last chance to attend SFIRP workshops
With the program set to conclude in October 2024, educators still have an opportunity to attend the remaining free events including the Cultivating Classrooms: Integrating Food and Fibre into the Curriculum with Horticulture Workshop hosted by Karabar High School. The Hon. Steve Whan M.P., Minister for Skills, TAFE & Tertiary Education will open the event with presentations from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia.
Event details
Workshop: Cultivating Classrooms: Integrating Food and Fibre into the Curriculum with Horticulture (1.5 hours NESA accreditation)
Date: Thursday 29 August 2024
Time: 4 – 6pm
Venue: Karabar High School
Tickets: Free registration is available here
Other Upcoming Workshops
Cultivating Classrooms: Integrating Food and Fibre Workshop – Sustainability in Food Security and Food Value Chains (1.5 hours NESA accreditation)
Date:Monday 14th August
Time: 4 – 6pm
Venue: Bega Valley Regional Training Centre, Merimbula
Tickets: Free registration is available here
Cultivating Classrooms: Maintaining Pollination for Plant Production Using AI Workshop (1 day free teacher relief provided and 5 hours NESA accreditation)
Date: Tuesday 27 August 2024
Time: 8 – 4pm
Venue: Ulladulla Civic Centre
Tickets: Free registration is available here
Find out more about the remaining SFIRP Workshops here – and learn about the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (SFIRP) here.
About the SFIRP Program
The SFIRP program is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements through the Department of Regional NSW and is tasked with enhancing community connectivity by forging strong links between schools and local primary industries, particularly in regions that have been affected by floods in NSW in recent years.
