Venture Taranaki Launches New Platform To Connect Students And Teachers With STEM Learning Experiences

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, the regional development agency, is proud to announce the launch of the STEM Outreach Experiences platform, part of the Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the region, and New Zealand, is facing challenges relating to quality, reach, and student interest in STEM subjects. Supported by the TOI Foundation, New Plymouth District Council, and Taranaki Regional Council, the user-friendly website provides a central point for Taranaki educators to access engaging learning opportunities to enhance their lesson plans.

"A prosperous future for Taranaki starts in our schools, where tomorrow’s innovators are beginning their journey into STEM careers. We know that the best learning happens when students can connect it to the world around them to see how it affects their lives now and in the future," said Thom Adams, Innovation Lead at Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki.

STEM Outreach Experiences supports a locally relevant curriculum that taps into the wealth of industries and experts that our region already has to offer.

"The opportunity to engage with enthusiastic experts who want to share their knowledge is sometimes all it takes to encourage a student to consider a career path in STEM," adds Adams.

"We’re confident that everyone in Taranaki has something to contribute to the growth of our rangatahi, all they need to do is get involved".

Teachers can use the online platform to find organisations offering STEM outreach for their next lesson, or contact the Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre for curriculum support. "For us, having an expert working with our kids has been a game changer," said Kim Gillanders, CEO and Lead Educator at The Head Office, a charitable organisation advocating for the diverse and complex learning needs of neurodiverse children.

"We get a chance to see a specialist in action, which helps our students get a new perspective on the world. You hear a certain tone in a young person’s voice, and see a sparkle in their eye, and you think, ‘wow, there it is, they’re fully engaged in learning’".

Alongside this service comes support for Taranaki businesses wanting to get involved in school outreach to develop exciting lessons alongside our experienced educators.

"Whether it’s growing flowers or launching rockets, these experiences can be what starts a student on a life-long passion," concludes Adams

Educators, kura / schools are encouraged to contact Thom@venture.org.nz for more information and to get involved.

About the Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre

The Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre is designed to connect, enable, develop, and accelerate the science and technology sector in Taranaki through the establishment of a dedicated science hub.

As part of the Taranaki Regional Economic Development Strategy, Tapuae Roa, this strategic project led by Venture Taranaki positions Taranaki as a highly desirable region for researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups.

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