Introduction
Food security is a major concern throughout the world. The world was on track to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by 2030 but that has been set back due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.[1] With this aim in mind, finding ways to use land effectively and sustainably, as well as making food production more efficient, has never been more important.
On a more local level, having access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food choices is a major factor that contributes to individual’s health and wellbeing. As urban areas expand, being able to produce food in smaller areas is also becoming increasingly important. Providing students with the skills and knowledge around food production and sustainability is important for securing our food into the future.

[1] Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, http://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/2021/en/ (8/9/2021).

Program Summary
This program will expose students to a wide range of technologies which are changing the face of agriculture. During the program they will take on the role of agricultural consultants and will spend the day working to create a recommendation for their client. To do this, they will take part in an expo to learn about machine learning, sensors, robotics, drones, and more. Students will then use this new knowledge in combination with the Design Thinking process to plan, prototype, and test a solution for their client before pitching their ideas at the end of the program.

Taking part in this program, students will collaboratively:

• Investigate how technology is changing agriculture
• Use machine learning and other sensor technology to automate elements of farming
• Identify and meet user-centred problems

Career Links:
Agriculture, Manufacturing, Automation, Engineering