The Astronomical Agriculture course is an multiple award winning, overnight Primary School Excursion that students, and their teachers (!) have been enjoying for over five years now.

---- “I wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my students for a seriously awesome experience out at the Ag Centre. We loved all parts of the experience from the delicious food to the fantastic activities and Yurts ( especially the teacher ones!)” ----

It combines time on a working farm with curriculum aligned STEM activities, first nations traditional knowledge, an overnight camp-out and a rare chance to not only learn about the stars and the galaxy we live in, but actually get a close look at them through a powerful telescope, in some of the darkest skies in the country.

---- “The indigenous activities were great, the astronomy was spectacular, a highlight was seeing Saturn and its rings.” ----

** Please note. This program has been part funded by the Department of Education, however that funding will run out soon and the cost will increase accordingly **

Health And Safety Risk Assessment

Now, before we go any further rest-assured all the safety and risk assessments are fully up to date, and compliant with Department of Education regulations.

---- “There was excellent prep in safety and instructions before we arrived so I was well equipped before they got there. Post camp, I was pleasantly surprised by the engagement from the students, they were so happy and entertained.” ----

Developed for Kindergarten to Stage 3-4

Your Primary School Students will experience a range of activities that ignite their curiosity, and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. They’ll learn the skills to observe, identify, and explore science in the world around them, and they’ll literally get their hands dirty while they’re doing so, which always goes down rather well.

Designed to create a lasting engagement with the land, and the world around us, your students will go home with an experience they’ll never forget, especially if they’ve never been on a farm before.

---- “…received a text message from one of the mums of the children on camp with a photo attached of her son staring up at the stars one night post camp. The message said that her son has decided he knows what he wants to do when he grows up! We agreed that that is what gives us goosebumps working with kids." ----

Curriculum Aligned Activities

STEM Excellence
Teachers from the Crookwell Academy of STEM Excellence have carefully developed the activities and lesson plans around the Deakin University Blue Carbon Dam Project. This demonstrates the sustainability of a well-managed dam on a farm, showing that planting reeds, shrubs, and trees around the farm dams can lower emissions, boost biodiversity, ensure water security, and improve community and animal wellbeing.

Lesson plans include:
- Observing and data collection on birds, plants and other animals
- Measuring and describing changes in living things
- Promoting Biodiversity using acoustic surveys
- Observations of amphibians and introduction of new species
- Designing an amphibian habitat or floating wetlands for school or home
- Building a floating wetland and understanding its role within the farm
- Measuring and collecting data including carbon with Pond Sensors

All of the activities have a direct link to the new NSW Curriculum, as demonstrated in the article below.

First Nations Education
Representatives from the Pejar Aboriginal Council will teach your students some of the Wiradjuri language and craft, explore Dreamtime stories and how they help us to connect with the land, leading to an increased appreciation and respect for native culture.

----“The storytelling/Indigenous language was spectacular. Once in a lifetime.” ----

Astronomical Enlightening
Looking at the stars through a powerful telescope can be tricky, if you don’t know what you’re doing, but when you’re guided by an astronomer who’s spent a lifetime looking at the stars you’ll see all sorts of amazing things, and be inspired by the entire experience.

----“The star gazing through the massive telescope was amazing. The kids still talk about it now. The gentleman who showed the kids this was so knowledgeable and passionate.” ----

UN Sustainability Goals

The program is also aligned with a range of UN Sustainability Goals. Students are introduced to the concept of global alignment, the benefits of everyone working towards a common goal, and they’re encouraged to adopt of these ideas at home and in school.

+ 2 Zero Hunger
+ 3 Good Health & Wellbeing
+ 4 Quality Education
+ 8 Decent Work & Economic Growth
+ 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
+ 13 Climate Action
+ 15 Life on Land

----“my son has just returned home from an overnight excursion to your centre, a young man of a few words, but let me tell you he has not stopped talking about how amazing his experience was and how lovely the people were.” ----

Teachers & Instructors

Anna Kemp
As a primary school teacher for 15 years, and now the STEM Project Officer at the Crookwell Academy of STEM Excellence, there’s no better person to work with the students who visit our centre. Anna has a natural talent for making the complex seem simple, bringing STEM within reach for students at all levels. She helps teachers connect with their class, and students connect with the world around them.

Gary Mitchell
Gary was interested in the night sky from an early age, and over the years he’s gone from gazing at the moon with binoculars to glimpsing the birth of stars in distant nebulae. He’s been lucky enough to have seen five full solar eclipses, three of them from overseas trips, and he brings a wonderful perspective on the universe to our students, along with a variety of powerful telescopes too!

Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council
Based in Goulburn, the Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) helps to preserve culture through a range of awareness programs, cultural heritage talks, and activities to empower Aboriginal youth. Their support of our Astronomical Agriculture program is invaluable, as they introduce our students to Aboriginal traditions and perspectives, and deepen their connection to country.

----“Thank you so much for providing such an amazing experience for our kids. You are all wonderful people.” ----

----“Jo was energetic, enthusiastic and kind. Every detail of the camp was carefully planned and executed. Jo even had a birthday cake ready for one of our students who was celebrating their birthday on camp!” ----

 ** Please note. This program has been part funded by the Department of Education, however that funding will run out soon and the cost will increase accordingly **