Events like Tauranga's STEM Festival (STEMFest), New Zealand's largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are not just about showcasing gadgets or scientific breakthroughs. They are about planting seeds of curiosity in young minds and nurturing the problem-solvers who will shape the future of many sectors, including farming.
At this year's STEMFest, more than 6000 children, parents, educators, and industry professionals gathered to explore the wonders of STEM. The festival's mission is clear: spark curiosity and show children the diverse possibilities that STEM offers. From immersive virtual reality to machine learning farm simulations, the event demonstrated how rapidly technology is evolving and how adaptable today's youth is to these changes.
What makes STEMFest truly special is its ability to break down silos. The future of agriculture will require expertise in engineering, biotechnology, software development, and environmental sciences. Some of the careers that will drive farming forward haven't even been imagined yet. By showcasing a wide array of STEM-based activities, science experiments, problem-solving challenges, and technical games, the festival fosters an environment where exploration is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and critical thinking is developed.
This matters because the challenges facing farming are complex and ever-changing. Climate change, resource management, and the desire for sustainable practices demand innovative solutions.
Like those before, the next generation of farmers will need to be resilient, adaptable, and equiped with the skills to think outside the box - in a world that's evolving faster than ever before. STEMFest provides a space for children to experiment, ask questions, and learn that failure is just another step toward discovery. These are essential skills for tackling the big issues, whether it's developing drought-resistant crops, designing precision agriculture tools, or creating new ways to monitor soil health.
One of the most inspiring aspects of STEMFest is the enthusiasm and curiosity shown by attendees of all ages. Children and parents alike engaged with hands-on activities, asked thoughtful questions, and imagined what a future in STEM might look like. This kind of engagement is crucial for showcasing our amazing primary sector to urban and rural kids and building a resilient farming sector.
By empowering young people early in their lives, we encourage them to become the innovators and problem-solvers who will drive agriculture forward. Ballance's partnerships with organisations such as House of Science, and its focus on the science of soil, highlight how foundational STEM knowledge is to supporting plant and animal life and, by extension, the entire food system.
Looking ahead, the future of farming will be shaped by those who are curious enough to challenge the status quo and bold enough to dream up new solutions. Events like STEMFest are more than just celebrations, they are investments in the minds that will one day help solve the world's most pressing agricultural challenges. By fostering imagination, creativity, and a love of learning, STEMFest is helping to ensure that the next generation is ready to build a resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for farming.
In the end, the true legacy of STEMFest will not be measured by the number of attendees or the technologies showcased, but by the curiosity it inspires and the doors it opens for young people. The future of farming depends on it.
Rebecca Drake is Innovation Project Lead, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and STEMFest ambassador.
