This article presents a case study of a New Zealand secondary school that implemented culturally responsive pedagogy to enhance the engagement of Māori and Pasifika students in science education. By collecting and analysing feedback from students, parents, and teachers, the school identified key areas for improvement, including the need for a more inclusive curriculum and […]
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Pūhoro STEM Academy is transforming Māori students’ engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Launched by Massey University, the programme supports nearly 1,000 students across 29 schools, blending academic tutoring with cultural mentorship. Through weekly sessions, career exposure, and immersive wānanga (learning experiences), Pūhoro fosters both academic achievement and Māori identity. The initiative has […]
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On August 4 2020, a powerful explosion at Beirut’s port sent a huge orange fireball into the air, followed by a massive shock wave that caused severe damage across Lebanon’s capital. Hundreds of people were killed, thousands injured and 300,000 were left homeless. Three city hospitals and the country’s main grain silo were destroyed by […]
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Ruihi Shortland is the teacher in charge of science within the Rumaki at Auckland’s Western Springs College. She recently completed her PhD in Indigenous Studies on a Māori Interpretation of te taka pūmotu, the periodic table, and shared with us some of her learning. By NZASE Science Communicator Mike Stone. Image: Rangi & Papa Michelle […]
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Many teachers struggle to see how they can teach astronomy in Yrs 5-10 without using L6 material, which includes interactions between the sun, moon and earth cycles – eclipses, seasons, phases, tides – or without discussing black holes, which are quite complex concepts that are beyond many younger students. Jenny Pollock and Mike Stone share […]
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Many teachers struggle to see how they can teach astronomy in Yrs 1-4 without using L6 material, which includes interactions between the sun, moon and earth cycles – eclipses, seasons, phases, tides – or without discussing black holes, which are quite complex concepts that are beyond many younger students. Jenny Pollock and Mike Stone share […]
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Explore how ocean currents, tides, and waves shape the marine environment around Aotearoa New Zealand. This resource from science communicator Mike Stone delves into the science of oceanography, highlighting the role of major currents like the Subantarctic and Antarctic Circumpolar Currents, and their impact on climate and ecosystems. It also examines how scientists use tools […]
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Jessie McKenzie is a former primary school teacher who transitioned into science education leadership, serving 14 years at the Royal Society Te Apārangi. She led initiatives like the CREST awards, Advancing Primary Science programme, and Teachers in Industry, all aimed at strengthening connections between schools, scientists, and communities. Her work has had a lasting impact […]
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Are traditional study methods like rereading and highlighting enough? This article introduces evidence-based strategies—such as self-testing, spaced practice, mind mapping, and the Feynman Technique—to help learners retain more, remember longer, and study smarter, written by NZASE Science Communicator Mike Stone.
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Science and Technology Fairs are a good way for students to show what they have learnt about investigating science in the world around them. The words can strike fear into the hearts of some teachers and parents, but with good guidance, developing a science fair project needn’t be onerous. And for some students, science fair […]
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