The contemporary use of Australian bushfood flavours has enabled unique product development and innovation in the local food industry in recent years.

This program merges the new with the old as AI technologies are leveraged to help students create products that lean into Australia’s distinctive culinary heritage.

Morning Session – Exploring, Experimenting, and Prototyping

Students begin by diving into the world of native Australian bushfoods, exploring flavours, origins, and sustainability of native ingredients. The morning also focuses on hands-on prototyping. Students create a control bushfood brownie — a base recipe used to build foundational cooking and measuring skills. This practical session helps them understand how ingredient choices influence taste, texture, and sustainability, while setting them up for their creative challenge later in the day.

Afternoon Session – Create Your Own Bushfood Brownie with AI

In the afternoon, students take what they’ve learned and use AI as a creative partner to design their own unique bushfood brownie recipe. Using guided AI prompting skills, they explore new ingredient combinations, refine flavours, and iterate on their ideas.

STEM and AI Integration

STEM principles are woven throughout the day: experimentation, measurement, iteration, and reflection. Students engage in scientific thinking, data recording, and sensory analysis. AI enhances this process, not by providing answers, but by sparking ideas and extending creativity — showing students how emerging technology can amplify human problem-solving and imagination.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Teamwork is at the heart of the program. From mixing ingredients to brainstorming recipe variations, students must communicate, test, and adapt as a team. Every member plays a vital role — from the scientist to the taste-tester — reinforcing the value of collaboration in achieving real-world outcomes