Over 140,000 pupils from primary schools across the country have learned first-hand from farmers about British food production, and how the core science topics they learn in school are integral to farming. The programme included:
- The life cycles of lambs and cows, including live lambing with former NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador and Oxfordshire sheep farmer Karl Franklin.
- Visiting newly-born Belted Galloway calves with Surrey livestock farmer Paula Matthews.
- Insect expert Sally-Anne Spence, fellow at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, introducing minibeasts such as dung beetles and explaining their important role in farming.
- Meeting climate change superhero Jess Langton, a Derbyshire dairy farmer researching new ways of reducing methane.
“Science is such an integral part of farming; we are not just food producers, we are scientists, environmentalists, animal experts and technological innovators.”
NFU President Minette Batters
The free lessons took place between 14-17 March and brought the exciting world of British farming into the classroom, giving students a taste of what life is like as a farmer. Resources were available to teachers alongside the live lessons to enable them to extend the lessons to learn more about how science and farming work hand-in-hand.
Science Farm Live 2022: watch again - see the lessons in action.
NFU President Minette Batters said: "It’s fantastic to see how many students have signed up for our Science Farm Live lessons after such a successful debut last year.
"Science is such an integral part of farming; we are not just food producers, we are scientists, environmentalists, animal experts and technological innovators. These lessons transport the world of real-life farming into classrooms across the country, helping to bring core science topics and the exciting career opportunities within agriculture to life.
"With two of the lessons being delivered by farmers involved in our Student & Young Farmer Ambassador programme, it’s great to see the future of farming already helping to educate the next generation.
"British Science Week is fast approaching and we want to get even more pupils signed up. I would encourage all farmers to reach out to their local primary schools and encourage them to get involved."