Repo – 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.

Read More

Human skeletons in schools

Many schools hold human skeletons and are wondering about the right thing to do with them. As English-medium schools listen more closely to the responses of their Māori students and parents, they start to ask if it is even ethical to have them. NZASE Science Communicator Mike Stone talks to experts about different perspectives and possible approaches.

Read More

Pest control

Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious goal for Aotearoa/NZ, but achievable if everyone does their bit. NZASE Science Communicator Mike Stone draws on an expert’s knowledge and talks with teachers who have been involving students in trapping rats and possums.

Read More

Kudos Science Spinners

There are very few Māori and Pasifika graduates in STEM subjects; for example, Māori and Pasifika each make up 6.7% of STEM graduates from the University of Auckland. So Māori and Pasifika scientists are thin on the ground. In English-medium schools, Māori and Pasifika students often struggle to engage with Science, and don’t see a place for themselves in the subject. NZASE Science Communicator Mike Stone describes how the Kudos Trust aims to change that

Read More