A Chance For Kiwi Kids To Be Part Of History

9 August 2005

A Chance For Kiwi Kids To Be Part Of History

Schools around the country have been invited to submit a time capsule to Telecom as part of Telecom’s School Connection Ultimate Time Capsule Competition that began this week. Three of the best entries received will be welded inside the HMNZS Wellington before it is sunk in Wellington on 12 November.

Telecom is also running a competition for SeniorNet clubs to enter a capsule.

It is expected that the winning entries will remain at the bottom of the ocean for 75 to 100 years depending on how long it takes for the ship to breakdown. The aim is for each of the time capsules to be a snap shot in time from the early 21st century.

“This is a great opportunity for Telecom and the School Connection programme to be involved in an occasion of such historical significance as well as an opportunity for Telecom to help teachers bring a unique event into their 2005 syllabus,” says Telecom Education Portfolio Manager Miranda Cook, “I’m looking forward to seeing some very interesting and diverse entries.”

The HMNZS Wellington, also called the F69, was a Frigate in the Royal New Zealand Navy for 18 years and the British Navy before that. She is now going to form an artificial reef off Wellington’s south coast providing a great recreational diving facility and contributing significantly to the local ecosystem in terms of a habitat for sea life.

Along with having the time capsules attached to it, the sinking of the F69 can be applied to a number of school subjects. Telecom has sponsored the production of teacher resources in maths, science and arts.

“We recognised that the school curriculum leaves very little time for teachers to plan and execute activities outside of the syllabus so we’ve employed teachers to write complete unit plans that link to the sinking,” says Ms Cook.

“We’ve created some really innovative unit plans that will give teachers a great chance to plan their lessons around something so topical,” said Kirsten Lang from Kelburn Normal School who created the units with two of her colleagues.

“I think the time capsule competition combined with the units will really capture the imagination of the students.”

Telecom’s School Connection Ultimate Time Capsule Competition will run until 30 September with the winners being announced on 20 October. Teachers that are interested in entering or using the resources provided should visit www.thetimecapsule.co.nz.

ENDS

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