Outdoor lessons spark pupils' science interest

INVOLVED: Rotorua Intermediate pupil Mitchell Robertson taking part in MScience. PHOTO/SUPPLIED 220914SCIENCE

A new initiative encouraging more Maori pupils to get involved in science is "exceeding every expectation" set for the programme, facilitators say.

MScience, created by Russell Harrison and Joe TeKowhai, has been rolled out to two classes at Rotorua Intermediate School this year.

The six-week programme takes pupils out of the classroom for two days a week to discuss, explore and experience marine ecology in Rotorua.

Mr Harrison said he and Mr TeKowhai spent nearly a year-and-a-half researching the ideal age group and most effective way to deliver the programme, before reaching out to local schools.

"Through the research we conducted it was decided Year 8 was the best time to engage pupils to ignite a passion in them for education before reaching high school."

Mr Harrison said the programme had a water theme because Rotorua was surrounded by lakes and water was an ongoing, important issue for the district.

"We take the science of water and not only teach the kids about it factually but also discuss its cultural significance. We are guiding the pupils through the course holistically, pastorally and academically.

"The six weeks we take the kids out covers the whole science curriculum for the year, leaving the teacher the rest of the year to cover the other subjects."

Mr Harrison said the programme had a continuous effect on pupil learning.

"By igniting that fire of curiosity in a pupil, they will continue to question, discuss and create dialogue throughout their education, not just in science.

"Our aim is to motivate these kids and encourage an interest in education before they reach Year 9. Teachers are working with the resources they have but being an external programme, we have the freedom to step in and provide a more interactive form of science."

Pupils Breanna Nickson, 13, and Jack Carter, 12, said MScience gave them experiences they would not have otherwise had.

"It's a different kind of education and it was enjoyable because it got us out of the classroom and allowed us to experience the science first-hand, rather than just the theory side," Jack said.

"The whole programme was full of great experiences and showed us places we had never been before and things we'd never done," Breanna said.

Breanna and Jack agreed "the way Russell and Joe talked about the different aspects of science made it sound more interesting".

"They showed us what we could become and the things we could get involved in if we decided to follow a career path in science," Breanna said.