Picasso Cows

How does the program work?

1. Receive your cow: your school will get a blank fibreglass cow (almost life-sized!), ready for your students to design, decorate and dive into learning about the Australian dairy industry.
2. Dive into the resources: teachers receive access to a suite of FREE, curriculum-linked resources, covering themes like Farm to Plate and Health & Nutrition. These are all housed on our website and the Picasso Cows member dashboard, so you have everything you need at your fingertips.
3. Create a learning journal: as your students explore the world of Australian dairy—how milk is produced, its health benefits and life on the farm—they’ll document their progress in a learning journal. This is a great way to showcase their creativity and teamwork.
4. Win amazing prizes: once your cow is complete, you’ll have the chance to submit your work for a shot at some exciting prizes. The program runs twice a year (Term 2 and Term 3) and while the cow itself is free (valued at $1,200), schools just need to cover the $300 delivery fee.

How often does the Picasso Cows Program run? 

The program runs twice a year—in Term 2 and Term 3.

How many schools participate each term?

Each term, we welcome 100–125 schools to participate in the Discover Aussie Dairy Picasso Cows program.

How long does the project take?

Most schools complete the program in 8–10 weeks but you’re free to work at your own pace. Just make sure to submit your learning journal and photos by the due date to stay on track (and eligible for prizes!).

What year groups can participate?

The program is open to all primary school students, from kindergarten to Year 7. We encourage teachers to tailor their content to their year group to address the appropriate curriculum outcomes.

How many students can be involved?

There’s no limit! Some schools involve their entire student body, from naming the cow to the big reveal at assembly.

Are there specific geographical locations that the programs run in?

The program locations are often based on demand. For example, if a large number of schools on the waitlist are from VIC and NSW for Term 2, the program will focus on those states to assist with logistic efficiencies.

What does it cost?

The program is free but schools cover the $300 delivery fee for the cow.

How do I register? 

Step 1: Expression of interest

Fill out the expression of interest form. Due to high demand and a limited number of cows, not all schools are guaranteed a spot. However, we’ll keep you on the waitlist for the next available term.

Step 2: Offer and registration

If accepted, you’ll receive an email with an offer and a registration form. To confirm your spot, simply complete the form and agree to the terms and conditions.

Step 3: Delivery payment

Follow the provided instructions to pay the $300 delivery fee. This must be completed before the delivery date.

Step 4: Confirmation

Receive confirmation of your delivery date and login details for the Discover Dairy Picasso Cow online teacher dashboard.

Step 5: Program begins

The cow is delivered and your program begins!

How can we involve students with extra learning needs?

Just like the extension activities, the program can be adapted to suit all learners. We encourage teachers to use a variety of teaching techniques and differentiated activities to ensure every student feels supported and included.

What opportunities do we have for extension activities? 

There are plenty of fun and engaging ways to extend the program before, during or after completion. These activities can be tailored to suit your students' needs and interests, while involving families and the community too.

Family and community ideas:

• Host a dairy-themed dress-up day at school.
• Organise a milkshake-making day – fun and delicious!
• Hold a formal assembly to unveil your Picasso Cow to parents, teachers and students.
• Encourage students to audit the dairy foods in their lunchboxes or fridges at home.
• Develop dairy-inspired recipes in class and have students try making them at home.
• Invite a guest speaker, like a dentist, dietitian or GP, to talk about the health benefits of dairy. (Sometimes parents at the school can help!)

Farmer and industry ideas:

• Visit a local dairy farm or manufacturer to see where it all begins.
• Invite a dairy farmer to your school to share their experience.
• Host a demonstration or taste test with a dairy producer.
• Arrange an interview with someone from the dairy industry—via video call, phone or email.

What if we can’t finish on time?

We know how busy school terms can get and sometimes things don’t go to plan—that’s completely understandable. That said, the Discover Aussie Dairy Picasso Cows program is incredibly popular and we want to give as many schools as possible the chance to take part.

The progress check-in milestone is a great opportunity to share how your cow preparation is coming along. If a school hasn’t had the chance to start preparing or painting the cow by this point, Dairy Australia may need to ask the school to cover the cost of the cow (approx. $700) so another school on the waitlist can join in. 

We’re here to support you along the way, so if you’re facing challenges, just let us know! 

What kind of paint should we use?

We recommend using an exterior water-based acrylic paint. It’s durable, easy to clean up and low-odour—making it ideal for classroom projects. Plus, you can pick it up at any paint store!

Should we paint the cow with a protective coat?

It’s not necessary but if your cow will be spending time outdoors, a clear protective coat can add extra durability. We recommend chatting with your paint supplier—they can help you choose a clear coat that works best with your paint.

Does the cow have to be painted?

Not at all! You can decorate your cow however you like. Some schools have even created beautiful mosaics. Get creative—anything goes!

What are the final assessment tasks?

• The designing and decorating of your fibre glass cow.
• Creation of a learning journal documenting students learning throughout the program.

What do I need to include in my learning journal?

The learning journal for the Picasso Cows program is a record of student engagement and learning throughout the program, reflecting teamwork, creativity and knowledge gained. Some things to include are:

• Photographs capturing key moments i.e. major events from cow reveal and the finished design, students collaborating and developing ideas and the design process and fun throughout the process.
• Samples and documentation of students learning through the program. i.e.
  • dairy-related learnings and how they influenced the design
  • use of Discover Dairy website content
  • reflections on teamwork, design changes and why they were made
  • key facts learned about dairy.

Check out the curriculum guide on pages 5 and 6.

What format does the learning journal need to be in?

Schools normally create their learning journal as a PowerPoint or video.

What do I need to submit for assessment?

You need to submit your learning journal and up to 5 photos of your final decorated cow.

What format do I submit my learning journal in?

Once both assessment tasks are submitted, schools must submit the following via email:

• Up to six digital photographs taken of your completed Picasso Cow.
• The learning journal which does not exceed 100 megabytes as a PowerPoint, PDF or mp4 file. We recommend if submitting a PowerPoint or word document to send as a PDF file.

How do I submit my learning journal and final cow imagery?

You can submit your learning journal and final cow imagery via email. You will receive an email two weeks prior to submission date with further instructions on submitting your learning journal and final cow imagery.