The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has launched its annual Schools Plant Science Competition, encouraging students around the nation to focus on the importance of protecting plant health.
Now in its 24th year, the competition is being held at the DAF Hermitage Research Facility at Warwick.
Competition Coordinator, Kerrie Rubie said this year’s theme celebrated 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health.
“Last year, more than 3,600 students from 153 schools submitted 255 science and art entries,” Ms Rubie said.
“This year 82 schools from across the country have already registered to be part of the competition,” she said.
“Students will conduct hands-on experimental investigations, design mind maps with a plant health theme, and communicate key constraints to the plant health of a field crop in a developing country.”
She said they would be immersed in nature with the QuestaGame Pest Invaders’ mobile gaming app to spot and identify pests that invade plant life and interfere with agricultural production.
One 2019 entrant, Toowoomba-based Year 9 student, Michelle Springolo, is currently competing as one of 26 finalists at the 2020 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, showcasing her project Pest Invaders — Will Companion Planting German Chamomile with Barley Crops or Spraying Barley Crops with German Chamomile Tea Help Prevent Net Blotch Disease?
Ms Rubie said competition activities were aligned to the Australian school curriculum each year, making it easy for teachers to incorporate the competition project into their learning programs.
