STEAM Growing our Future
Designed for students aged 8–13, the Growing Our Future project supports STEAM‐focused, project‐based learning, with Science and Technologies as lead areas and purposeful connections to Mathematics, The Arts and Health. Students engage in meaningful, data‐informed investigations into ecological systems, soil science, plant biology, agricultural technologies and sustainable food production.
Through direct engagement with farms, gardens and natural spaces - and alongside farmers, growers and Traditional Custodians - students develop knowledge, respect and connection to where their food comes from. In doing so, the program supports educators to nurture informed, inspired learners who are equipped to help shape healthier, sustainable food futures.
Unit Plan Overview
1 NUTRIENT DENSE FOOD
Embark on a journey into the world of nutrients
2 CONNECTION TO COUNTRY
Connect to your Country through remarkable indigenous plants.
3 GROWING GOOD FOOD
Coming soon
4 INTERESTING INSECTS
Coming soon
5 FIRST NATIONS FIRST FARMERS DESIGN
Coming soon
Unit Plan Overviews
NUTRIENT DENSE FOOD
In this unit, students embark on a journey into the world of nutrients, discovering how the colours of fruits and vegetables reveal hidden health benefits and why ‘eating the rainbow’ matters. Through hands-on experiments with seeds and microgreens, they witness nature’s nutritional power in action. The adventure continues underground, where students uncover the vital link between healthy soil and nutrient-dense food.
As they connect these discoveries to their own well-being, students learn how the microbes in our gut thrive on diverse, plant-rich diets, and they harvest microgreens and create a colourful, nutritious dish together.
LEARN, GROW AND SHARE WITH INDIGENOUS PLANTS
CONNECTION TO COUNTRY
Connect to your Country through remarkable indigenous plants. Explore their cultural significance and the deep spiritual connections they hold for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, forming part of an ancient, intricate web linking land, culture, and community. Students will learn about First Nations Peoples’ profound relationship with seasons, land, animals, and the rhythmic cycles of plants, which have guided every aspect of life for millennia. Delve into the clever and innovative uses of endemic plants and how they have provided the essentials for living for tens of thousands of years, such as food and fibre.
In progress
GROWING GOOD FOOD
In progress
INTERESTING INSECTS
AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT GUIDE
USING THIS GUIDE: YEAR 3 to 8
The curriculum links provided in this document are intended as a guide, highlighting opportunities for integrated learning across food systems, health and wellbeing, regenerative growing practices and connections to the natural world.
Teachers are encouraged to adapt and extend these links to suit their local context, student needs and approaches determined by their state or territory education and curriculum authorities.