Traditional native food knowledge and production systems is the theme for the 26th annual Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' (DAF) popular Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the competition would focus on agricultural science through the ages.
"This year's competition is themed around our first nations' 60,000 years of traditional native food knowledge and production systems combined with 125 years of DAF's agricultural science research," Mr Furner said.
"Students will get hands-on with native food plants, conduct experiments, create native food plant herbariums, carry out a marketing activity, cook with bush tucker, research the science behind using native plants for food production across the world, and use a mobile gaming app to spot and identify pests that impact our precious native plant life and interfere with agricultural production.
"Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition activities are aligned to the Australian school curriculum, making it easy for teachers to incorporate the competition project into their learning programs."
Mr Furner said students with a flair for art could also enter the Art in AgRiculTure Awards section.
"The Art in AgRiculTure Awards links art and science in a fun, interesting and creative way to enhance students' learning of native foods," Mr Furner said.
"There's an exciting opportunity for budding young artists this year, as two artworks will be selected to be incorporated into the new mosaic art installation at the Hermitage Research Facility as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations."
"All entrants in the science and art competitions will be in the running for a selection of fantastic awards and prizes."
Mr Furner said the competition always sparked a great deal of enthusiasm with agricultural scientists of the future.
"Last year, more than 3600 students from 130 schools submitted science and art entries and 120 schools from across the country have already registered to be part of this year's competition," Mr Furner said.
"Registrations are open until 31 May 2022 for school students to enter this year's competition with entries closing on 24 June 2022.
"Winners will be announced on 16 August 2022, during National Science week, at the Hermitage Research Facility's annual Awards Day and Agricultural Science Expo in Warwick."
