The University of Queensland’s annual Sunflower Competition hosted by the School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences (LCAFS) is once again looking to be a success with over 45 high schools having registered from as far north as Cooktown Qld to Griffith NSW.
With over 1000 students involved, the competition is open to students in Grade 8 to 12 from Queensland and Northern NSW. The competition is designed to encourage the budding agriculturalists of the future and is a great way for students to learn about plant science in a fun and interactive way.
Schools participating in the annual Sunflower Competition will grow their sunflowers over the 11 week growing period, with the goal of producing the largest sunflower.
Agricultural teacher from Yeronga State High School, Mr Brad Barrett has entered a team for the first time this year.
“With horticultural and landscape studies introduced into the school last year, I thought it would be a great learning process for students to participate in," he said.
"Learning how to grow a plant from start to finish using different variables will give them basic skills to apply to their study and even use in their own gardens at home.
“At the recent Ag Teachers Conference held at UQ Gatton, I found out about the competition and was very interested in entering a team as we have a diverse range of students at the school including 64 different nationalities who may never have experienced experiments like this.”
Provided with information from Dr Doug George from LCAFS, the students are encouraged to experiment with various ideas and conditions including different potting mixes, soil, fertilisers and light regimes with the outcome being to grow the heaviest sunflower.
The official planting date is March 2 with the weigh-in day and crowning of the heaviest sunflower on May 25.
The weigh-in day will be held at the Gatton campus and is a fun and educational day where students can come along for the official weigh-in, get involved in plant science activities, learn about career pathways, meet industry representatives and hear from academics in the field of plant science.
All of this plus a free BBQ lunch makes it a great day for the students.
Sponsored by Pacific Seeds, Australian Sunflower Association and Grains Research Foundation (GRF), the entrants will have their best sunflowers judged with prizes being awarded to the heaviest sunflower produced.
It’s not too late for schools wanting to still be involved in the Sunflower Competition 2010. To register simply call (07) 5460 1279 or email sunflower@uq.edu.au. For more information visit www.uq.edu.au/nravs/sunflowercompetition.
Media: Erin Pearl, Marketing coordinator, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science and 0754 601 229 or mobile 0409 265 587
.jpg)
