Teachers focussing on science for rest of year

Teachers focussing on science for the rest of the year

Thirteen primary school teachers have been awarded Primary Science Teacher Fellowships for the last two terms of 2010, and will spend the rest of the year being immersed in the world of science.

This is the third intake of primary school teachers participating in the Primary Science Teacher Fellowship Programme which began in 2009.

Under the scheme, teachers take leave from their schools to work with scientists at host organisations and learn more about science and its application.

The scheme is run by the Royal Society of New Zealand and is funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. The teachers come from primary schools throughout New Zealand, although this particular group is all from the North Island.

Host organisations this time include The University of Auckland, GNS Science, Plant and Food Research, Zealandia and Massey University.

Joanna Leaman, education advisor with the Royal Society of New Zealand, says the aim is to create potential curriculum leaders in science for primary schools.

“The teachers selected are not science experts, but they are keen to develop their science teaching skills so they can make a difference at their schools.”

“Recent research shows that science education is currently not high on the priority list at primary schools, with an average of just one hour per week taught. We want to help address this issue and get teachers excited about teaching science. Our aim is to develop a community of confident science educators who will take a leadership role in science in their schools.”

In addition to the initial placement, the fellowship scheme also funds advisors to work with the schools on the programme for up to a year after the teacher fellows return to their schools.

“The aim is to ensure good science experiences become embedded in the school’s teaching and learning programmes.”

The impetus for the scheme stems from a report (the National Education Monitoring Project) released in 2008 which highlighted a downwards trend in the attitudes of primary aged students towards science. This found that 37% of the year 8 students surveyed indicated a dislike of science, a sharp rise on the 15% reported in 1999. NZCER research showed only 2% of primary principals felt science was a priority area for their school.
There will be eight further teacher fellowships awarded for terms one and two of 2011. Application details are available from joanna.leaman@royalsociety.org.nz. Applications for the first intake in 2011 close on 17 September 2010.

ENDS

© Scoop Media