A key goal of the week is to enhance science teaching in schools and support primary school teachers.
Regional centres are coordinating programmes, in particular running free workshops for teachers giving practical help in teaching science. Regions involved include Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Dunedin.
- Workshops for teachers in local areas
- The Big Milk Experiment – nationwide for schools
- Competitions for pupils – writing, poster design
- Practical daily experiments – for classroom or home
Primary schools are encouraged to focus on science during the week, with daily practical experiments to do in the classroom, and competitions for students including a science writing competition, and designing a poster on ‘Why is science important for New Zealand?’
For the first time in New Zealand, a nationwide school science experiment will be taking place. Called ‘The Big Milk Experiment’, it involves primary school students investigating the properties of milk.
Every day from 4-6pm free local workshops will be run for primary school teachers to help with their science teaching, including ideas for the classroom and visits to science organisations. Workshop topics range from electricity and ocean farming, to hands-on chemistry, and teaching astronomy in the classroom.
For further information
Contact Jessie McKenzie, Royal Society of New Zealand, ph 04-470 5789.