Sheep Week is an engaging and comprehensive unit offered at the Australian Agriculture Centre that delves into the fascinating world of the wool industry. This unit explores the journey of wool from the sheep to the final product, covering key topics such as the different types of fibres, manufacturing techniques, and the scientific principles behind wool production. Students gain insight into modern technology and innovative processes used in wool processing and garment design. Additionally, Sheep Week highlights diverse career opportunities within the wool and sheep industries, inspiring students to consider future pathways in agriculture, science, technology, and design. Through hands-on activities and expert knowledge, this unit provides a well-rounded understanding of the vital role wool plays in Australia’s agricultural landscape. 

The key concepts I want students to understand are that: 

• The transformation of wool from raw fibre to finished product through scientific, technological, and manufacturing processes. 

• The relationship between sheep farming, fibre characteristics, and sustainable practices in the wool industry. 

• Exploration of career pathways within the wool and sheep industries, including agriculture, science, technology, and design. 

Each student will receive a Sheep Week passport, collecting stamps as they complete each activity, encouraging engagement, curiosity and learning through experience. The program supports early agricultural literacy while inspiring young people to value farming, fibre production and animal welfare.

9:30 am Arrive

9:30-10:00am Welcome to Sheep Week 

10:00-10:45am Activity Rotation 1 (15 minutes time slots)

10:45-11:00am Recess and Toilet Break 

11:00-12:30pm  Activity Rotation 2

12:50-1:15pm Bunnings LUNCH provided 

1:15-1:50pm Activity Rotation 3

2:00pm School Departures 

Fibre to Fabric activity rotations include:

1. Shearing Experience 

2. Wool Handling Skills 

3. AWI – Wool Classing 

4. Wool Carding 

5. Wool Spinning 

6. Wool Weaving 

7. Identifying Fabric Types 

8. Knitting with Wool 

 9. Study of Sheep 

10. Sheep Penning 

Curriculum Outcomes

ES1  

STE-SCI-01 identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement  

STE-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations to collect data  

STE-DDT-01 identifies and uses technologies to make products to address user needs or opportunities  

S1  

ST1-SCI-01 measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky  

ST1-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect  

ST1-DDT-01 uses technologies and materials to design and make products to address user needs or opportunities  

S2  

ST2-PQU-01 poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems  

ST2-DDT-01 uses a design process to create products to address user needs or opportunities 

S3  

ST3-SCI-01 uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices  

ST3-DAT-01 interprets data to support explanations and arguments  

ST3-DDT-01 uses design processes to create, evaluate and modify designed solutions  

ST3-CWT-01 Creates written texts to communicate understanding of scientific and technological concepts and processes