Students from St John’s Grammar Primary School test the new virtual reality program designed to help kids understand where their food comes from.
Virtual reality is being used to bring the paddock to schoolchildren, many of whom have never been on a farm, met a farmer or know where milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt come from.
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Dairy Australia hopes to bridge the gap between dairy farming and urban primary school students by bringing on-farm experiences into the classroom to help them understand how dairy farmers work to supply nutritious, sustainable food to fuel a healthier Australia.
Dairy Australia’s Virtual Reality initiative was launched on November 15 at St John’s Grammar Primary School in Belair, in Adelaide, with children in the classroom being taken through the entire process of making dairy foods, from the paddock and milking shed, to packing and even cheesemaking.
Schools throughout Australia will be able to download the content.
Dairy Australia spokesperson Jess Phillips said educating the next generation about the dairy industry and the importance of dairy foods for overall health and wellbeing was critical.
“We know young Australians are more conscious of what they are consuming than ever before,” she said.
“However, an alarming 60 per cent of school-aged children are not getting enough dairy during a critical time for bone growth.
“Through the use of virtual reality, this new experience allows students to learn in an engaging way, that is easily accessible to educators — and helps students connect with the food they consume each day.”
Bec Walmsley (pictured with husband Rob and their daughter Tahlia) features in the virtual reality program.
The virtual reality program supports Dairy Australia’s commitment to working with schools and its popular curriculum program Picasso Cows and Discover Dairy resources.
South Australian dairy farmer Bec Walmsley, whose farm features in the virtual reality program, said as consumer interest and food production transparency continued to grow, there was increasing need to connect the farming community with wider Australia.
“Through educating students on the manufacturing process, from milking to final consumer product, we hope to inspire young Australians in making healthy food choices, to better their health and support the industry,” she said.
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