Science ‘more fun’ with resource kits

STUDENT SCIENTISTS: Makaraka School students, from left, Sam Matthews, Ella Hayward, Daniel Whaitiri, Riarna Rickard and Taylor Young using a House of Science resource kit. Picture supplied

Funding to purchase science resource kits will help Gisborne students think like scientists.

House of Science Tairawhiti (HoST) have received a $2000 grant from the Mazda Foundation in their latest funding round.

This money will contribute to the purchase of a “Puzzle Box”, a science resource specifically aimed at how scientists look at the world, HoST manager Mihi Hannah said.

“Included are activities to help students think like a scientist, such as how to ask good questions and distinguish between an observation and an inference.

“Students use a range of senses to make observations and use scientific thinking in order to find explanations.

“They also appreciate that science is a way of explaining the world and that scientific knowledge changes over time,” Ms Hannah said.

HoST has 12 schools on board and 19 kits in circulation.

“We would love more schools to become involved as the feedback from current schools has been fantastic.”

A year four Mangapapa School student said they loved science and the science kits made school much more fun “because it’s fun doing the experiments and seeing the results”.

Te Wharau School senior teacher Lydia Richter said the resources had been a motivating and engaging start to their science learning journey this term.

Wainui Beach School principal Nolian Andrew said the kits were brilliant, convenient and cut down on waste.

“If I needed to do some of those experiments in class I would spend a lot of money on consumables and some would go unused. The kids really spark and engage with great ideas,” Mrs Andrew said.

HoST is a community-led programme brought to Gisborne by Tairawhiti Connext Charitable Trust and is made up of innovative educational services that aim to increase the local communities’ scientific knowledge and provide easy access to science resources for children.

HoST is working to engage children and youth of all socio-economic groups and cultures in science activities.

If you are interested in sponsoring a kit or want a school to come on board then please email tairawhiti@houseofscience.nz