7–10Agriculture Technology 7–10 Syllabus

The Agriculture Technology 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Agriculture Technology 7–10 200 hours
• Agriculture Technology 7–10 100 hours
• Agriculture Technology Life Skills 7–10 200 hours
• Agriculture Technology Life Skills 7–10 100 hours.

The focus of learning in the Agriculture Technology 7–10 Syllabus is described below.

The Agriculture Technology 7–10 Syllabus enables students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to explore the application of technologies and processes in agricultural contexts. They establish and manage plant and animal production enterprises in local environments. Students engage in practical experiences and project work to develop project management, collaboration and communication skills to support their future learning.

Students develop knowledge and understanding about agricultural production, including systems and Practices used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They are provided with opportunities to access and participate in plant and animal production processes, both individually and collaboratively. Students investigate how the application of agricultural systems and practices can impact on the environment and contribute to sustainability.

Students learn and apply safe work practices when establishing and managing agricultural production enterprises. Students explore innovative, sustainable design and production practices which enables them to understand the challenges, limitations and consequences of developing agricultural systems and solutions. Students design, plan and improve agricultural systems and solutions, and learn to apply their knowledge and synthesise conclusions from experimentation to support quality agricultural production.

Through diverse, real-world learning experiences students engage with traditional, contemporary and innovative technologies that have the potential to transform local and global agricultural systems and practices. Students learn to recognise career opportunities through an exploration of current and emerging agricultural technologies and practices.

Schools may choose to offer and/or deliver 7–10 elective courses which may be studied in any year.

Elective courses in Years 9 and 10 contribute towards the RoSA.

Practical experiences and project work

To satisfy the requirements of the syllabus, students undertake a range of practical experiences and project work. These experiences should be used to develop the skills of designing, investigating, using technology and communicating.

Practical experiences should be designed to be accessible to all students. Practical experiences may include:

• fieldwork
• small plot activities
• laboratory work
• plant and animal production activities
• maintenance activities
• models and simulations
• field trips to commercial farms and other parts of the production and supply chain.

Schools may choose to deliver a project that involves sustained agricultural practice. This will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their interest and ability to integrate and apply technological concepts and skills.

Safety, risk management and animal welfare

Schools are required to ensure they follow safety and risk management, including the welfare of animals, in delivering the Agriculture Technology 7–10 Syllabus.

Biosecurity

Schools have a legal responsibility in relation to plant and animal biosecurity. The production of plants and animals, including all practical activities involving plants and animals, must comply with relevant guidelines and legislation that are interpreted for schools on the Animals in Schools – Biosecurity website (NSW Department of Education 2023).

Agriculture Technology 7–10 may be studied as a 100-hour or a 200-hour course. The content available for Stage 4 is identical to Stage 5. When teaching the course in Stage 4, the Stage 5 outcomes may be adjusted as appropriate to the needs of students in Years 7 and 8. Advice is provided to support teachers.

100-hour course

Students are required to undertake:

• at least 2 enterprises, drawing on content from appropriate focus areas
• one intensive or one extensive enterprise
• one plant enterprise and one animal enterprise
• at least one collaborative activity.

200-hour course

Students are required to undertake:

• at least 4 enterprises
• content from all focus areas
• one intensive and one extensive enterprise
• at least one plant and one animal enterprise
• at least one collaborative activity.

For Agriculture Technology Life Skills 7–10:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Agriculture Technology Life Skills 7–10 outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Agriculture Technology Life Skills 7–10 outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.
• Where appropriate, students should have the opportunity to engage in practical learning or project work. Some students with disability may require adjustments and/or additional support in order to engage in practical experiences.