Education is not a one-size-fits-all business, so schools in the Wanganui region have developed many innovative programmes to fit the needs of their students. Education reporter Lin Ferguson visited Wanganui Intermediate School's science lab and art programme
LOOKING DEEP: Science students at Wanganui Intermediate School. PHOTO/LIN FERGUSON 040912WCLFWIS3
LET THERE BE LIGHT: Science students Kyla Smith and Anastacia Iorangi. PICTURE/STUART MUNRO
Bunsen burners were blazing, and test tubes, beakers, tripods and tongs were set out on the benches as students pored over their Benedicts sugar tests.
Teacher Keith Beautrais said they were tests to show glucose levels.
"Our brain fuel ... glucose. Most students hadn't heard of it before, except as sugar."
With their safety glasses in place, their equipment positioned these young science students were poised for action.
Mr Beautrais said he always ensured the emphasis was on interesting, practical work that built a positive attitude and confidence for his students to take with them to secondary school.
"The first thing always, of course, is to make sure every student feels confident and safe in the lab. Safety is foremost, and they know it."
Though most young students are fascinated with practical science experiments, there were always those incredible few who fall in love with science for life, he said.
"Like one young girl who completely memorised the entire periodic table because she liked it."
The science programme is part of the rotation of specialist subjects at Wanganui Intermediate and supplements other science units completed in the home classrooms, he said.
Dozens of keen students raise their hands so they can attend the special extension courses, he said.
Courses which deepen their knowledge and enrichment in science, environmental work.
Wanganui Intermediate students raise trees for local reserves like Gordon's Bush and regularly go out there with Mr Beautrais to check on their plantings, most of which have been planted from seed.
There is also a high rate of involvement and success in the annual regional science fair and in the national science badge scheme by Wanganui Intermediate students, he said.
One young lad won the biological section at the Wanganui Regional Schools Science Fair earlier this year by showing whether orange juice or orange fruit had the most Vitamin C.
But he wasn't the only starring performer for Wanganui Intermediate.
The school collected first placings in the chemical, physical, environmental and technological sections for Years 7 and 8 students.
The annual science fair shows exactly what young students were capable of coming up with, given the time and the opportunity.
"Primary sciences need a boost along with numeracy and literacy, because science and technology are the employment 'veins' of the future," Mr Beautrais said.
However, last year an ERO report said New Zealand Schools weren't giving children the best opportunity to build on their excitement about discovering the world around them.
Chief Review Officer for the Education Review Office, Dr Graham Stoop, said we needed to improve the way we teach science to our young children to help them succeed in an economy increasingly based on knowledge and innovation.
Science programmes have not improved for some years.
"Teachers need support to understand how literacy and numeracy teaching can complement science and give children the tools necessary for science learning," said Dr Stoop.
Mr Beautrais agreed, saying that Wanganui Intermediate prided themselves on a good science programme.
"Our students do well and most are ready to go onto secondary school and NCEA science."