Peter Spratt Medal

This award recognises sustained contributions to science education in New Zealand. It is in honour of Peter Spratt, Senior Manager Education at the Royal Society of New Zealand, who passed away suddenly in 2007. He had worked at the Society for 14 years, where he was deeply committed to promoting and supporting science education across Aotearoa.

Peter began his career as a teacher and was Head of Science at Wesley College, where he taught science at all year levels. He had a passion for New Zealand’s geology and natural environment, regularly taking students on field trips. Plate tectonics was a particular area of interest for him. He was appointed National Chief Examiner for School Certificate Horticulture and also marked science papers. His expertise extended to curriculum development, where he helped write national guidelines and teaching resources on agriculture across the curriculum for the Department of Education.

In 1991, Peter became a school science adviser with Teacher Support Services in Wellington, working closely with teachers to implement The New Zealand Curriculum: Science. He joined the Royal Society in 1994. Peter regularly attended SciCon and other science education conferences. He mentored many teachers, lectured in the United States, studied Quaternary beetles, and contributed to BioBlitz field expeditions. Peter’s leadership, vision, and dedication to science education continue to inspire. The Peter Spratt Medal honours his contribution. Recipients of the medal become lifetime members of NZASE.

At CONSTANZ 2019, former NZASE President Jenny Pollock CSRNZ gave a tribute talk honouring Peter Spratt’s key role in founding STANZ and his long service as NZASE Executive Officer: read transcript

Winners

2023	Mike Stone, BEANZ, NZASE, Learning Solutions
2020	Ian Torrie, St Cuthberts College, Auckland
2020	Jessie McKenzie (Honorary)
2018	Denis Burchill, University of Auckland
2016	Rosemary Hipkins, NZCER
2014	Jenny Pollock, HOD Earth and Space Science, Nelson College for Girls
2012	Carolyn Haslam, Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland
2010	Jacquie Bay, LENScience, Auckland
2008	Ian Milne, Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland (Inaugural medal)