Farmvention - a national competition where farming meets innovation - is aimed at children ages 5 – 14, teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects through the lens of agriculture and farming. Children are given problems to solve based on the day-to-day issues faced by farmers and growers in England and Wales, this year with a focus on the aim for British farming to be net zero by 2040.
Learning STEM through agriculture
Showcasing their innovative designs at the House of Commons, children from the winning schools showed MPs how they used their STEM skills and knowledge to develop practical tools for sustainable farming.
From a smart irrigation system to an all-season greenhouse, the inventions were a few examples of hundreds of designs submitted by students across the country who have taken part in our Farmvention competition this year. As well as the showcase in the House of Commons, the winning schools also received a prize of £1,000 for their school to spend on STEM or outdoor learning equipment.
Trophy winners
At the event, NFU President Minette Batters awarded the students a trophy to mark their achievement. She said: “There has been a huge focus on climate change this year so it’s only right that we celebrate our Climate Superheroes – not just the farmers who deliver sustainable food for our plates every day, but the creatives and scientists who come up with the new technologies that enable us to do it.
“The ingenuity of the inventions showcased today is truly exciting and I hope this experience has inspired children about the possibilities within both farming and STEM careers.
“For me, the best thing was seeing each project demonstrating a real understanding of the needs of farming and food production, as well as an impressive element of creativity, innovation, scientific knowledge and skill. It highlights what teachers who have used our resources already know – that farming is a fantastic way to teach STEM subjects in a practical and meaningful way.”