House of Science develops aquaculture kit for schools

House of Science develops aquaculture kit for primary schools

The House of Science Tauranga is delighted to release yet another science resource kit for use in local primary and intermediate schools. Sponsored by the Regional Aquaculture Organization (RAO), ‘The Sea and Me’ kit helps students understand more about our local shellfish. Activities include classification of sea shells, modelling how shellfish eat by filtering sea water and testing sea water samples to determine which location is better suited to setting up a mussel farm.

The kit was developed by two local teachers who are currently on the Science Teacher Leadership Programme (STLP), a Royal Society administered professional development course that sees teachers immersed in a science research institution for 6 months, working alongside scientists. Katrina Stephenson from Otumoetai Primary School and Ange McManaway from Aquinas College worked collaboratively, and used contexts relevant to the scientists at the University of Waikato’s Coastal Marine Field station where they are based.

“It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to utilize our recent classroom experience and combine this with our current learning on the STLP. We were delighted to support the forward thinking initiatives of the House of Science by creating a hands-on marine science resource box,” said Ange.

House of Science director Chris Duggan is impressed with the resource which was trialed with students from Omanu primary school last term, saying it fills an obvious gap in the growing library of resources available: “We were lacking a marine science resource, which ironical really as we are surrounded by the sea and it is an integral part of our local culture”.

“The Regional Aquaculture Organisation takes great pleasure in supporting the marine science resource kit put together by The House of Science. Previously our education initiatives have been with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and regional High Schools. The marine resources of the Bay of Plenty must be treasured by all and it is great to start to educate primary school children on marine ecology and aquaculture at such an impressionable age,” said Mr Coates, Chairman of the RAO.

The kit will be available to teachers that are members of the House of Science Tauranga to book online from next week. Other House of Science branches around the country will also be able to order this kit to add to their science resource libraries.

ENDS

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