Picasso Cows

The Picasso Cows initiative targets primary schools in Australia’s dairying regions that are also feeder schools into our secondary schools program Cows Create Careers.* It leverages interest by teachers in food processing to promote the dairy story and the potential career path through active engagement. The project also seeks to address an issue highlighted in the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey which revealed the majority of Australian children do not consume enough calcium, potentially putting them at risk of poor bone health.¹

Picasso Cows is a free, six week curriculum initiative that educates students, teachers and parents about the importance of the Australian dairy industry and the health and nutritional benefits of dairy products. This is done by providing each school with a blank, life size fibreglass cow, a theme, supporting educational resources such as activity books and posters and a curriculum guide that links back to our Discover Dairy curriculum website.
Each school then paints their cow in one of three dairy related themes over the six week period while keeping a journal of their learning journey. Not only does the class get involved in the project but the whole school and also members of the community are generally involved. Through this creative and interactive art project the dairy industry is really brought to life for primary school children and makes the learning process fun and memorable.

At the end of the six weeks each school attends a regional presentation day where they showcase their Picasso Cow and learning journal and the winning school is presented with a prize. Media, parents, dairy farmers and other members of the community often attend the presentation days and we have had some great feedback on the project from dairy farmers.

An important aspect is the continuing impact of the painted cow on the school community, as it remains on display at some schools following the presentation day, acting as a constant positive reminder of the dairy industry. Other schools have given their cow to businesses in the local community.

In 2010, 112 primary schools across Australia’s eight dairying regions took part in the Picasso Cows initiative. A total of 286 schools in have participated in the initiative since the NSW pilot in 2008. The 2011 Picasso Cows initiative is currently underway in 96 schools across the 8 dairying regions.

Download the 2011 Picasso Cows Curriculum Guide here.

*The criteria involved in the selection process of primary schools for the Picasso Cows project may be subject to change on a year to year basis.

¹ CSIRO 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Main findings Canberra, 2008

For more information please contact Rebecca Cadzow on 03 96943849 or email picassocows@dairyaustralia.com.au