A new report by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) demonstrates how farming and agriculture can be used effectively in the classroom to deliver crucial science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) lessons through real world examples.
The report comes following a new YouGov survey that highlights a substantial skills gap in careers based around STEM subjects, not only in agriculture but across the economy.
The YouGov results reveal that one fifth of the teachers who responded struggle to teach any science during the week.
It also shows how using agriculture to teach these important subjects can help engage children at a crucial age and show them their potential for exciting STEM-based careers.
STEM links to agriculture
With agriculture directly linked to many elements within the current STEM curriculum, from life cycles and habitats to food chains and food technology, children have been learning and applying key skills in stimulating, practical, real-life situations.
This played out in the survey which showed 89% of respondents believed teaching about farming at primary school is important, while 78% said they thought their classes would learn more about STEM subjects in a non-classroom setting.
NFU president Minette Batters said:
“Farming provides an incredibly innovative and exciting way to promote STEM learning in a way the younger generation might not have seen before and we have spent time working with schools to help teachers deliver all-important STEM subjects using real-life farming examples.
“It’s been hugely rewarding with countless teachers telling us of grassroot level triumphs, as pupils discover a whole new subject area that was previously uninspiring to them.
We have shown how teaching STEM through real-life, practical situations, that are completely relevant to the curriculum, can deliver so many benefits for children’s education and future career opportunities.
“This clearly demonstrates why the government should recognise the role of agriculture in inspiring STEM learning,” Batters concluded.
