Jessica Bunt, Lachlan Hill, James Woodhead and Gus Shea from Murrumburrah High School assess pastures at the Graham Centre Agricultural Science Enrichment Day.

Inspiring students to consider agricultural science career from mapping cuts of meat on a cow to checking out rice in the laboratory, high school students have got some hands-on experience at the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation.

More than 200 high school students from across the Riverina have visited the Centre in June for the annual Agricultural Science Enrichment Day. Graham Centre Industry Partnerships and Communications Manager Ms Toni Nugent said, “Our aim is to give high school students an insight into the work done by professional agricultural and animal scicentists.”

“The students took part in practical hands-on activities and we hope it has inspired them to consider a career in primary industries and science. The Graham Centre is focused on research to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the grains and red meat industries throughout the value chain.

“We want to encourage young people in our rural communities to be interested in this research and this is a great way of showcasing what we do and how they can become involved in the future,” Ms Nugent said.

Activities included live animal assesssment, rice grain quality, the health benefits of rice and pasture species assessment. Schools attending included: Kildare Catholic College, Kooringal High School, Mater Dei Catholic College, The Riverina Anglican College, Wagga Christian College, Wagga High School, Coleambally High School, Finley High School, Murrumburrah High School, St Paul’s College, Temora High School and The Rock Central School.