Fonterra Partners with the Wonder Project to Inspire the Next Generation in STEM
Aotearoa, New Zealand needs bright, diverse talent in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) now more than ever.
At Fonterra, we're committed to showcasing the exciting careers in dairy - from food science, to engineering, to nutrition STEM professionals playing a crucial role in fuelling our products and innovations.
However, we face a challenge - fewer tamariki are pursuing these subjects and careers. That's why Fonterra has partnered with the Wonder Project, to design a bespoke Fonterra challenge which will inspire and engage young people in STEM across Aotearoa.
Led by Engineering New Zealand, the Wonder Project offers an engaging, curriculum aligned programme that is free for schools across Aotearoa. Through hands-on learning, students can participate in inspiring challenges: the Rocket Challenge (Years 5-6), Power Challenge (Years 7-8), Water Challenge (Years 7-8) and soon, a challenge focused on food science specially for Fonterra. Each programme aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum, making it not only fun but educationally enriching.
The partnership opens new doors for tamariki to see STEM in action within the dairy industry. It’s an opportunity to learn about food, nutrition, and agriculture through real-world challenges while gaining insight into what a career in dairy could look like.
It’s great to see an organisation as big as Fonterra stepping up to make a real difference in STEM education across Aotearoa.
Fonterra Managing Director of People & Culture, Kate Daly, explains the importance of the partnership: "We’re pleased to partner with the Wonder Project to inspire the next generation of STEM talent in New Zealand. This partnership is just one of many initiatives we’re driving to show young people how careers in dairy make a meaningful impact at every stage, from milking on farm to the finished product. We’re investing in the future of these careers with expert partners like the Wonder Project to ensure the long term success of our dairy industry."
Wonder Project Director Shelley Pearce is equally enthusiastic, highlighting that this partnership will expand the Wonder Project’s reach even further. “Developing a new Wonder Project challenge alongside Fonterra is an exciting step for our resource line-up, broadening our programme further into the science space. It’s great to see an organisation as big as Fonterra stepping up to make a real difference in STEM education across Aotearoa. Their rōpū/people are just as passionate as we are about futureproofing the STEM industry and ensuring all tamariki have meaningful, accessible, and inclusive STEM experiences at school.” Our partnership with the Wonder Project marks the start of an exciting journey to build a foundation for the future of dairy by igniting curiosity and passion for STEM.
Together, we’re developing and testing our Fonterra challenge, set to pilot in Term 4 of 2025, with a vision to show young people that a career in dairy is a gateway to food innovation, sustainable agriculture, and meaningful impact. Through hands-on experiences and connections with industry professionals, this challenge will inspire the next generation to view dairy as a dynamic and influential field where they can dream big, drive change, and help shape the future of Aotearoa. Once live, the programme’s challenges will empower Fonterra kaimahi/staff to share their expertise, giving students an inside look at the essential role of science and technology in dairy innovation.