Founding Schools
Program 2026
What’s Going On?
We’re on the lookout for 5 Founding Schools across Melbourne, Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast to implement our 7-week STEM + Social Responsibility Program ‘The Chocolate Story’ into their curriculum in Semester 1, 2026.
If you want to activate meaningful social and environmental learning across your school next year, this one’s for you.
We bring impact-focussed and engaging lessons to your students through authentic-scenario and hands-on learning.
Benefit from an unprecedented program discount, full access to our program materials, dedicated 1-2-1 support and a 30-minute assembly talk from our founder.
What is it & who’s it for?
The Chocolate Story is a fully-comprehensive, cross-curricular educational school program
Curriculum covered: new world exploration, science of bean to bar process, sustainable practices, social responsibility, fair supply chains, organic nutrition & soil health
Designed for Grades 4-8
Founding School offer valid for 1 class only
7 weeks of classroom-ready STEM lessons
Includes hands-on chocolate-based experiments
Materials delivered directly to your school
30-minute school talk led by our founder
Application closing date: Friday 12 Dec 2025
What’s inside
the program?
Lesson Plans & Teacher Guide
7 x lesson plans spanning all 5 Chapters of ‘The Chocolate Story’
Program Overview and Teacher Guide
Program Introductory Video
Lesson Slides & Worksheet Activities
7 x lesson slides
Worksheet activities
Chapter introductory videos
5 x Chapters
Once Upon a Bean
Bean to Bar
Is it Fair?
Chocolate-Tasting Masterclass
Lollipop-Making Masterclass
In-Person School Talk
Visit from Lydia
Half hour talk on social responsibility and how we can help vulnerable farming communities overseas
Suitable for single class or year level (we’re flexible!)
Masterclass Materials and Ingredients
(28 Students)
Ethically-sourced chocolate
Variety of wholefood, nutritious lollipop toppings
Lollipop-Making Kits
Chocolate-Tasting Kits & Guided-Workshop Booklet
Sound sweet? Great! So, why does it matter?
As teachers & parents, we know that what the human race has been getting up to over the last century has caused a lot of damage to entire ecosystems and communities across the world.
We also know that when we drop our kids off at school or stand at the front of our classrooms, we’re actually standing in front of the decision-makers of tomorrow. The politicians, the business owners, the influencers and the change-makers of the future are the children that we are raising today. Here’s the thing, they’re waiting for us to teach them what they need in order to write the next chapter of planet earth.
At Strong & Heard we teach children how to care for our people and our planet. We empower them to act and model what social justice and environmental responsibility looks like. We make space for empathy and creativity, critical thinking and entrepreneurship.
Our mission is to bring together some of life’s most important lessons and lift our young people up to take care of the soil that sustains them and raise the voices of vulnerable communities around the world that farm our land and grow our food.
We can’t wait to turn the pages of The Chocolate Story with you and learn together how we can make sure our people and our planet are strong and heard for generations to come.
Lydia
Strong & Heard Founder
Founding Schools Cohort Details:
Program start: 21 January 2026
Materials delivered: 5 January 2026
Founding price: $595 (Approx. $20 per student)
Limited to 5 schools (Melbourne, Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast)
Includes dedicated 1-2-1 support chat
Application closing date: Friday 12 Dec 2025
FAQs
Do I need a background in STEM?
Nope. The course is designed for teachers with no prior knowledge of the content. You will be guided through each lesson by the comprehensive learning slides on our website.
2. Is it aligned with curriculum standards?
Sure is! Request a copy of our full curriculum breakdown today.
3. What’s included in the kits?
You’ll receive materials and ingredients for both the Chocolate-Tasting Masterclass and the Lollipop-Making Masterclass.
Your kit will include everything you need for both masterclasses: ethically made chocolate, whole-food lollipop toppings (for example: popped quinoa, edible petals, cacao nibs, desiccated coconut - no nuts!), lollipops sticks, chocolate-tasting samples & paper bags.
4. How do I pay?
Subscribe to be one of our Founding Schools above. You’ll pay the discounted rate of $595 upon subscription.