Science and technology teachers mix it up at NZIC

Teachers caught up in science and technology mix it up at NZIC, Upper Hutt

The 2008 New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowship Symposium will be held at the NZ International Campus, Wellington, 22 -24 January.

This annual three day event brings together incoming 2008 recipients with Teacher Fellows from the previous year to share their experiences and talk about the best way take what they have learnt back to their students.

Fellowships allow teachers to be released from school, for up to one year, to carry out a research project of their choice with a host organisation. Recipients from throughout the country apply by stating their intended programme and host organisation.

The diversity of projects in 2007 ranged from studies of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and ocean, to the contribution of ancient Greece to modern mathematics and science.

Some of the 2008 Teacher Fellows are: Ewan Starkey from Owhango School, Ruapehu, who will investigate the effects of deer browsing on kamahi regeneration at Hauhangatahi, with support from the Department of Conservation Lorraine Spiller of Aotea College, Porirua, who will be working to determine successful pathways through science for Maori and Pasifika, with the support of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

Information and a full list of Fellows and their projects is available at http://www.rsnz.org/awards/teacher_fellowships/

The government-funded Teacher Fellowship scheme was first established in 1994 to encourage teachers at all levels to follow their passion for science, mathematics, social science and technology, but is not limited to teachers of these subjects. At the end of their fellowship teachers return to the classroom having gained greater knowledge and skills from their research that will benefit colleagues and students alike.

Applications are currently being invited for 2009 Fellowships.

ENDS