Stephen Ross, Pākehā, summarises his study which explored how the interface of mātauranga Māori and science provides opportunities for teaching and learning. He has some useful insights for those in the classroom trying to use both knowledge systems in their science teaching.
Read MoreDisciplinary literacy in Science 3 | Writing
Reading scientific texts and focussing on vocab sets students up with the foundations for writing. This members-only article includes plenty of strategies for primary and secondary science teachers to help students develop their writing skills for science.
Read MoreKaitiakitanga of taonga species
Mere Manning (Kahungunu ki te Wairoa) is an Earth and Space Science teacher at Taradale High School, where she is exploring using both te ao Māori and traditional science perspectives in a new unit.
Read MoreEngineer Mahonri Owen
Engineer Dr Mahonri Owen is a Māori researcher from Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), whose work in brain-controlled prosthetics aims to enhance the lives of amputees, particularly within Māori communities. His innovative approach combines engineering, neuroscience, and mātauranga Māori, reflecting a commitment to culturally grounded, inclusive technology development.
Read MoreOrganic chemist Nic Bason
Organic chemist Nic Bason (Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa) develops innovative molecules to enhance solar cell efficiency through a process known as singlet fission. Currently an Applications Scientist at Syft Technologies, Nic integrates mātauranga Māori perspectives into his work, recognising the chemical processes inherent in traditional practices like cooking and taiaha crafting.
Read MoreBioinformatician Alana Alexander
Dr. Alana Alexander (Ngāpuhi: Te Hikutu; Pākehā) is a bioinformatician at the University of Otago, specialising in marine evolutionary biology and genomics. Her research integrates genomic data with mātauranga Māori to understand the impacts of human activities on marine species, such as dolphins and whales, and to develop culturally informed conservation strategies.
Read MoreDisciplinary literacy in Science 2 | Reading
As they progress through school, students are asked to read increasingly complex information. How well students read, understand, and use this material can affect how deeply they understand the science. Science teachers are best placed to guide students through scientific texts, with their unique structure and vocabulary
Read MoreQuantum physicist Jacob Ngaha
Dr Jacob Ngaha is Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Māori quantum physicist.
Read MoreCRISiSLab Challenge
This annual real-world, hands-on challenge is engaging students from the Wellington area. The scientists who run the challenge are keen to involve more girls and Māori students. Science Communicator Mike Stone talks with Dr Marion Tan and Alicia Cui
Read MoreRepo | Wetlands
Wetlands, areas of soggy ground with standing water, were seen as undesirable by Pākehā settlers and cleared for farming or urban development. Unsurprisingly, only ten percent of our wetlands remain. They are now seen as precious, important for removing sediment and toxins from water, for protecting land from flooding and for absorbing carbon (eg, peat bogs). Science Communicator Mike Stone talks with two primary teachers whose students visit a repo to learn more about the community of living things.
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