Plan to bring cane back to Queensland classrooms
Canegrowers Education
CANEGROWERS, the peak body for Queensland's sugarcane industry, has launched a new suite of curriculum-aligned educational resources designed to inspire and educate the next generation about one of Australia’s most enduring and forward-thinking industries – sugarcane.
Developed with input from industry experts and educators, the One Plant, Many Products resources offer primary and secondary teachers lesson plans, worksheets and resources to provide engaging insights into this vital agricultural sector, CANEGROWERS chief executive Dan Galligan said.
“These materials aim to bring the sugarcane story to life, highlighting its 150-year legacy, as well as its importance as Queensland’s second-largest agricultural export industry, and the industry’s evolving role in shaping Australia’s green energy future,” Mr Galligan said.
The resources showcase sugarcane's journey from humble beginnings to its current position as a leader in sustainability and innovation, including its use as a feedstock for renewable energy, bioplastics, and sustainable fuels such as aviation biofuel and biodiesel.
While the industry has deep historical significance, demonstrated by sugarcane's prominent place on the Queensland Coat of Arms, it remains future-focused.
Beyond producing sugar for domestic and export markets, sugarcane offers solutions to the challenge of decarbonising our economy by generating green electricity and reducing reliance on traditional plastics and high-emission fuels.
The industry also presents a wide range of career opportunities, including research and development, agronomy, logistics, mill operations, chemistry, marketing, commodity trading and advocacy.
As the sector continues to innovate, even more roles will emerge, offering exciting possibilities for future generations.
Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, the One Plant, Many Products materials were developed in collaboration with the Primary Industry Education Foundation Australia.
They are designed to be practical and easy to integrate into lessons across various subjects.
Home Hill State High School agricultural science teacher Louise Nicholas, who was one of many teachers to collaborate on the project, said the resources would help empower educators.
“The collaboration between CANEGROWERS and PIEFA has delivered an outstanding suite of educational materials that showcase the importance of the sugarcane industry,” Ms Nicholas said.
“These resources empower educators to highlight the science, sustainability, and career opportunities in agriculture, helping to prepare the next generation to embrace and innovate within this vital sector.”
Mr Galligan emphasised the importance of reconnecting students with this iconic Queensland industry and teaching them about the opportunities going forward.
“Sugarcane is a proud part of Queensland’s heritage, but its potential for innovation makes it truly exciting. By offering these resources, we hope to inspire students and show them the role they can play in this remarkable industry.
“The future of sugarcane is bright, and we want every Queenslander to understand its importance in our past, present, and future.”
The One Plant, Many Products resources are now available to schools across Australia.
CANEGROWERS encourages educators to use these tools to inspire the next generation of innovators and celebrate one of the state’s foundational industries.
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