Teachers fellowships for science, maths and technology

Thirty-two primary and secondary teachers have been awarded NZ Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowships for 2010.

These prestigious fellowships allow teachers to take time out from their schools for one year, on full pay, to immerse themselves in a project relating to science, maths or technology.

During their fellowship year, the teachers will work with host organisations such as crown research institutes, universities, local councils or businesses which support and mentor them.

The scheme is run by the Royal Society of NZ and funded by the government. It aims to give teachers a better understanding of how science, maths and technology are applied outside the classroom.

Gillian Irving, from the Royal Society, says past teacher fellows have experienced huge personal growth from undertaking the fellowships.

“Our evidence shows that the teachers return to the classroom rejuvenated and inspired. They then pass that enthusiasm on to their students which is a fantastic result for everyone.

“The fellowships are highly sought after and we receive a large number of applications. Some of the teachers produce ground-breaking research through their projects.”

Topics to be investigated in 2010 include: investigating sustainable practice in the fashion and textile industries; the role of conservation programmes in zoos and their impact within the community; ageing and brain networking; the science and technology of harakeke fibres; and what are the ingredients for innovation within the food industry.

The teacher fellowship scheme was established in 1994 and continues to grow and develop.

Details of the teachers selected and their host organisations for 2010 are below, listed by region:

Christine Butler, Blind and Low Vision Education Network N, Auckland, Informing the future: The design and development of accessible digital archives, CORE Educator Ltd; Clive Stone, Mt Roskill Grammar, Auckland, The Making, Meaning and Migration of NZ War Art Produced in the Pacific in WW2, Natcoll Design Technology & The University of Auckland; Don Morrison, Titirangi School, Auckland, Feral Flora and Fauna. Systems of eradication and control of introduced species in the NZ bush and their relevance to environmental sustainability studies in the school setting, Ark in the Park, the Department of Conservation, & Weed Free Trust; Erica Knights, Willowpark School, Auckland, What is the role of conservation programmes in zoos and their impact within the community? Auckland Zoo; Gabrielle Ashton, Diocesan School For Girls, Auckland, Glass Futures: How glass can enhance learning opportunities across the school curriculum and beyond, Monash University, Sauvarins Glass, The Glass Factory of NZ, & UCOL; Gavin Milne, Mt Albert Grammar School, Auckland, Extrasolar planet detection by transit methods, The University of Auckland; John Watson, Albany Junior High School, Auckland, A Hall and its People – A Century of Change on Whangaparaoa, Whangaparaoa Community Trust; Jules Robson, King’s College, Auckland, Impact of feeding ecology on the conservation of Kea (Nestor Notabilis), UNITEC NZ; Kerry Lynch, Otahuhu College, Auckland, Performing Arts Technologies: Processes and Applications, Auckland Theatre Company; Lynda Melrose, Papatoetoe High School, Auckland, Parasites of kookaburra populations in NZ, UNITEC NZ; Maria Galbraith, Summerland Primary, Auckland, Auckland on the Wing: Harrier Ecology in an Urban Environment, UNITEC NZ; Sharon Graham, Pukekohe High School, Auckland, Ageing and Brain Networking, University of Auckland; Andrew Rapley, Otumoetai College, Bay of Plenty, Innovation – an inside view, Kiatronics Ltd; Peter Besley, Katikati College, Bay of Plenty, Exploring Carbon Sequestration, Wild about New Zealand Ltd; Mark Roberts, Oxford Area School, Canterbury, The Socio-Environmental effects of the establishment of the St James Conservation Area, Hurunui, Department of Conservation; Peter Robinson, Roydvale School, Canterbury, Impact of longfin eels on the behaviour of other coexisting freshwater fish, National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research; Ian Ferris, Ilminster Intermediate, Gisborne, Abundance, distribution and size structure of Turbo Smaragdus (catseyes) on fished and unfished intertidal reefs, Department of Conservation; Anwyl Minnaar, Kimbolton School, Manawatu-Wanganui, Science Resource Development in local area reserves for Horizons Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council; Christopher Franklin, Nelson College, Nelson, Waimea Inlet/ Estuary Survey, Tasman District Council; Grant Billcliffe, Nelson College, Nelson; Outdoor Education and it’s role in developing key competencies in students, University of Otago; Josephine Calt, Garin College, Nelson , Innovation of the food industry. “What are the ingredients for innovation?” ENZAFOODS NZ Ltd & Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology; Treena Blythe, Nayland College, Nelson, The structure and function of COMMD protein complexes, University of Auckland; Diane Bell, Dargaville Intermediate, Northland, To develop a presentation for use in the local community that demonstrates the potential benefits to the local environment with the implementation of Riparian planting, Kaipara District Council; Catherine Kan; Kaikorai Valley College, Otago, Immerse. Incubate. Emerge. Fashion Designers Communicating Ideas to the Outside World; Otago Institute of Design & Otago Polytechnic; David Young, The Catlins Area School, Otago, Whakaora Irahuka: restoring the white cliffs, Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust; Sandra Spence, Otago Girls’ High School, Otago, Civic Responsibility – the Dunedin Housewife’s Union/Association 1930-1977, University of Otago; Mark Meyburg, Opunake High School, Taranaki,Technology meets Ecology: Where have all the little blue penguins gone, Department of Conservation; Alison Basel, Fairfield College, Waikato, Urban Restoration: A study of current ideas about, and community attitudes and values towards, urban eco restoration in or community, University of Waikato; Jane Nolan, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Waikato, Isolated to Connected: a regional community of learners and practitioners, University of Waikato; Stephen Williams, Hutt Valley High School, Wellington, The science and technology of harakeke fibres, Victoria University of Wellington; Sue Hannaway, Onslow College, Wellington, Do our clothes cost the earth? Investigating sustainable practice in the Fashion and Textiles industries, Massey University & Starfish; Andrew England, Greymouth High School, West Coast, Assessment of whitewater recreational values of West Coast rivers, Department of Conservation & Lincoln University.