Pilot scheme connects primary teachers with scientists

A pilot scheme to connect primary school teachers with scientists and develop leadership in teaching science is now underway with 20 teachers taking part.

 Under the new Primary Science Teacher Fellowships scheme these teachers are working alongside scientists for the remainder of the school year, whilst taking leave from their normal teaching roles.

The scheme is being run by the Royal Society of NZ and aims to give primary science teachers a better understanding of the nature of science, help them gain good science experiences, and also undergo professional development in leadership and the science curriculum.

Teachers have a six-month placement in organisations that use science as a significant part of their work.

Joanna Leaman, education advisor with the Royal Society, says the teachers involved are not science experts, but they are keen to develop their science teaching skills.

“Recent research has indicated that primary aged children are receiving around just one hour per week in science education on average. We want to help address this deficiency.

“By immersing teachers in the world of science we hope they will gain an insight into making science exciting for their students.

“Our aim is to develop a community of confident science educators who will take a leadership role in science in their schools.”

The impetus for the scheme stems from a report (the National Education Monitoring Project) released in 2008 which highlighted a downwards trend in the attitudes of primary aged students towards science.

This found that 37 per cent of the year eight students surveyed indicated a dislike of science, a sharp rise on the 15 per cent reported in 1999.

Ms Leaman says the pilot will be extended in 2010 to offer fellowships for up to 80 teachers each year. The Primary Science Teacher Fellowship is funded by the Ministry for Research, Science and Technology.

Host organisations for the pilot include several universities (Victoria, Massey, Auckland, Canterbury, Lincoln), NIWA, GNS, Nga Manu Nature Reserve (Waikanae), Department of Conservation, Zealandia (Karori Sanctuary), Unitec, Environment Bay of Plenty, Portobello Marine Laboratory (Dunedin) and NZ Police.

Details of the teachers selected and their host organisations are listed below.

Lesley Harrison, Bayfield School, Auckland; Auckland University.

Anita Singh, Royal Oak Intermediate School, Auckland; Unitec.

Gordon Blair Pyes Pa Road School, Bay of Plenty; Environment BOP.

Paul Larkins, Hammersley Park School, Canterbury; Lincoln University.

Karen Townsend, Halswell School, Canterbury; Canterbury University.

Elizabeth Longley, Pahiatua School, Manawatu; Massey University.

Coral Butler, The Terrace School (Alexandra), Otago; Portobello.

Tricia Korth, Warrington School, Otago; NIWA.

Stu Morrison, Fenwick School, Otago; Portobello.

Prue Chrisp, Cardinal McKeefry School (Wilton), Wellington; Nga Manu.

Peter Corlett, Waikanae School, Wellington; Victoria University.

Shelley Holmes, Upper Hutt School, Wellington; DOC.

Hayley Miller, Karori Normal School, Wellington; NZ Police.

Alison Pullar, Silverstream School, Wellington; GNS.

Pauline Roberts, Plateau School, Wellington; NIWA.

Glynis Skippers, Epuni School, Wellington; Nga Manu.

Barbara Thompson, Johnsonville School, Wellington; Victoria University.

Karl Vasau, Holy Family School (Porirua), Wellington; Zealandia.

Glenis Weaver, Upper Hutt School, Wellington; DOC.

Lorna Webb, St Brigids School (Johnsonville), Wellington; Zealandia.