The Future Crops Centre and School of Agriculture Food & Wine had a stall at the Royal Adelaide Show. At the program:
– Build wheat terrariums
– Paint with different soils
– Try cricket chips
– See what you can smell in our wine ferments
Ciara was on wheat terrarium duties – over 700 built!
Ben was running the wine sensory activities
Ola was getting people to eat chips made with ground up crickets
I loved working at the Adelaide show, had some really good engagement from the kids. The ‘build your own wheat terrarium’ was a big hit, the younger kids loved picking out their own seeds and getting their hands dirty with the soil, the older kids loved the idea of growing their own wheat and watching the roots grow through the clear cups. Some really great questions were asked, and I definitely learned a lot about explaining things in a simple but fun way (probably still a work in progress). Will definitely be signing up for it again!
In terms of Centre experiences, the exercise where we had to explain our research to non-expert audience in a short amount of time really helped at the show. I had a lot of the parents asking what research I was doing. Also explaining relatively complex terms to kids took that non-expert training to the next level.
Ciara Danes
I was at the Adelaide University Stall during the Adelaide Royal showcase. My task for the day was to guide the public visiting the stall. Few visitors were interested in the school brochure for the new Adelaide University. It was interesting to me that most visitors to the stall are aware of the merger between Uni Adelaide and Uni SA. Others were drowned to the wine ferment and cricket chips exercises. Most kids participated in both activities. Kids seem to have a similar response to the wine ferment unlike adults with varying sensory taste. Most visitors tried the cricket chips and my engagement with them resolved around the integration of micro-nutrients into the diet while considering the environment especially for the future. I enjoyed the whole event.
Ben Kurya
At the Royal Adelaide Show, I had the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people while representing the Future Crops Centre and Adelaide University. One of the highlights was encouraging visitors to taste the Cricket Chips, which provided a fun and engaging way to start conversations about sustainable protein sources. This activity was particularly effective with children, who were curious and often more willing to try something new, while adults were more reflective and interested in the broader implications for future food security.
Alongside this, I discussed my research in wheat, explaining how we are developing cultivars with improved traits such as herbicide resistance. Many visitors were also intrigued by the work of the Wine Innovation Unit, which I highlighted as another example of how the University of Adelaide is advancing agricultural science. Bringing these threads together, I emphasized the overarching aim of the Centre—to develop innovative solutions for global crop improvement and future food systems.
What surprised me most was how eager the public was to learn about the science behind their food. The level of engagement and the thoughtful questions, especially from high school students, made the experience very rewarding. I particularly enjoyed simplifying complex scientific concepts into accessible language and seeing that spark of interest in the audience.
To others considering such outreach, I would say it is a fantastic way to refine your science communication skills and to see the real-world impact of your research. The training I’ve received through the Centre, particularly in communication and public engagement, gave me the confidence to explain my work clearly and connect it to issues that resonate with everyday life.
Overall, this experience reinforced the importance of bridging the gap between research and society, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute
Ola Musa Amoo