Science teachers from around the country will swap lesson plans and classrooms for cutting-edge research later this month, as a series of professional development days gives secondary biology teachers the chance to hear directly from scientists behind some of New Zealand’s latest discoveries.
The annual Maurice Wilkins Centre Teacher Professional Development Days, held in association with the Biology Educators of Aotearoa New Zealand (BEANZ), will bring secondary teachers together with researchers and educators for sessions ranging from immunology and gene editing to homeostasis and biomedical science, with events taking place nationwide in June and July.
With teachers juggling curriculum changes, report writing, unit planning, and assessments, Rachel Heeney, MWC Teacher Liaison and Head of Biology at Epsom Girls Grammar School (left), says it was important that teacher feedback helped curate the programme, making time away from the classroom worthwhile. Scientists were selected around key themes underpinning the new junior curriculum and current senior biology teaching, including homeostasis, disease, immunity and genetics.
“We will see what the New Zealand scientists are working on and share their enthusiasm— we hope there will be much to contemplate when writing our new units and to share when teaching our current units.”
The event also helps give teachers something extra to take back to students: the people, stories and personalities behind the science, she says. “Teachers are people, we love people, and we love seeing in the speakers the exuberance, the personality, the anecdotes and stories, the stresses and highlights they went through. All of this can be communicated only in person, and it strongly links to us remembering more. We can then communicate not only the science but the person, and this then allows more of our students to connect with biology.”
Sessions will include Dave Grattan revisiting the fundamentals of homeostasis, Hilary Sheppard exploring CRISPR-based gene editing for biomedical applications, and Roslyn Kemp examining links between immunology, the gut microbiome, health and cancer. Justin O’Sullivan will discuss precision diagnosis and the pathway from genes to proteins, while Shaun Lott will cover the latest applications in genetics, genomics and protein research. Meanwhile, Reuben McGregor and Julie Bennett will provide updates on acute rheumatic fever, including new understanding around disease mechanisms, vaccines and treatment approaches.
The event is in its 15th year and was started by Rachel and Professor Peter Shepherd of the MWC to support teachers. “We gave it a go when Peter gained funds from the MWC, and it has been a win-win since,” she says. “Teachers have loved it, and many have been to all events.”
For some attendees, Rachel says it’s about seeing ex-colleagues and having a hug or talking with scientists [during] the break. “[And], being treated as a professional and having a wonderful catered day out. Our body and mind are both catered for. Making links is so important. We need to be reminded that we all have so many people that can support us in this great and exhausting profession.”
Event dates
The Maurice Wilkins Centre Teacher Professional Development Days will be held at:
Waitangi – 22 June | Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Auckland – 23 June | University of Auckland
Marton – 29 June | Nga Tawa Diocesan School
Wellington – 30 June | University of Otago, Wellington
Christchurch – 1 July | Villa Maria College
More information
For more information, visit the Maurice Wilkins Centre website.
Register your attendance using this form – spaces are limited at some venues.
Financial support can be applied for through PPTA here.
For more information, email the team.