Make the Boat Go Faster: Emirates Team New Zealand And Genesis School-Gen Teach Kids About the Power of Wind
School-gen STEM resources available in Te Reo Māori
How will Emirates Team New Zealand’s boat harness wind power to reach speeds of almost 95km/hr when the America’s Cup is
sailed in the Hauraki Gulf in March 2021?
Two new learning resources produced by Genesis, the team’s Official Energy Partner, aim to inspire Years 5-8 students to
discover the answers to this and other wind power questions.
The new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) resources “Harnessing the Power of the Wind,” which has a
science focus, and “Measuring Wind Power,” with a maths focus, are part of the award-winning Genesis School-gen
programme that engages and inspires the innovators of tomorrow.
Students are encouraged to build their own boats, to understand floating and sinking, and to think about the
sustainability of their boat building materials. They are also introduced to the concept of on-water measurement,
including nautical miles and knots, and to use calculations to predict boat times and distances and also work out the
perimeter and area of an America’s Cup race course.
“We’re delighted to be working with Genesis and their School-gen programme to engage with the innovators of tomorrow,”
said Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton.
“Wind power is a natural topic for us to be talking about as Genesis generates electricity from the wind and we generate
boat speed. Both Emirates Team New Zealand and Genesis are focussed on pushing the boundaries when it comes to technical
innovations.
“We hope making these practical, real-life resources available through the Genesis School-gen programme will inspire the
next generation of kiwi kids into STEM careers,” says Grant.
Genesis CEO Marc England commented that STEM subjects can be incredibly exciting, and “we want to show kids that
technology coupled with creative minds can make things happen.”
“Partnering with Emirates Team New Zealand enables us to give schools fabulous learning opportunities around the
America’s Cup,” said Marc. “We are both focused on inspiring the next generation of innovators, and we hope School-gen’s
wide reach across New Zealand schools coupled with Emirates Team New Zealand’s fantastic reputation will get kids
excited about STEM and futures in this field.”
The resources, available in te reo Māori, are being launched in Māori Language Week. School-gen provides several
resources in te reo Māori and is continuously translating its materials into te reo.
The STEM resources include profiles of two Genesis and Emirates Team New Zealand staff members talking about their STEM
careers and backgrounds.
ends