Environment for laying hens among designs from primary school students
UK - The NFU has today announced the winners of its national STEM competition, Farmvention. Nine primary schools have all won incredible prizes which include fully funded farm visits, chef visits and £600 to spend on robotics products for the school
11 January 2019
2 minute read
By: The winners will be showcasing their designs at an exhibition at the House of Commons during British Science Week, where the overall champion will be decided.
The competition, launched in September, asked children at primary schools to submit entries that solved one of three farming-related issues using Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths:
- Design a tractor of the future
- Design an environment for a flock of 100 laying hens
- Design a new snack product from four British ingredients
NFU President Minette Batters said: “This is the NFU’s first national competition for primary schools and there has been an incredible amount of enthusiasm from both teachers and pupils.
“With more than a thousand schools entering their designs, the competition clearly demonstrates that food and farming has a place in education; not only to engage young children in STEM subjects, but to develop their understanding about rural life and where their food comes from.
“I can’t wait to see the creative designs that our young inventors have produced at the exhibition in March.”
Ryan Johnson
Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe.
