A new report by the NFU is calling for farming and agriculture to be used effectively in the classroom to deliver crucial science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) lessons through real world examples.
The report comes following a new YouGov survey that highlights a substantial skills gap in careers based around STEM subjects, not only in agriculture but across the economy. The YouGov results reveal that one fifth of the teachers who responded struggle to teach any science during the week.
It also shows how using agriculture to teach these important subjects can help engage children at a crucial age and show them their potential for exciting STEM-based careers.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “Farming provides an incredibly innovative and exciting way to promote STEM learning in a way the younger generation might not have seen before and we have spent time working with schools to help teachers deliver all-important STEM subjects using real-life farming examples. It’s been hugely rewarding with countless teachers telling us of grassroot level triumphs, as pupils discover a whole new subject area that was previously uninspiring to them.”