28 April 2006
A group of forest research scientists have helped shed light on science for a group of Mokoia Intermediate school teachers by hosting a recent professional development day in Rotorua. The day forms part of the Forests of Life programme, managed and developed by Ensis (the joint forces of Crown Research Institute, Scion, and Australia's CSIRO) and it is funded through the Ministry of Education's Digital Opportunities project.
Forests of Life is a cross curriculum approach to engaging students in science through real projects that benefit the environment. With the support of scientists and teachers, students explore the spiritual and cultural values of forests, global forest issues, forest ecology and sustainable forest management. The students also use information and communications technology (ICT) to investigate important science questions.
“This development day is an important key to the success of the project. Teachers need to feel empowered and confident in their own science knowledge to be able to deliver it to students.” says Ensis Forests of Life project co-ordinator Andrew Dunningham. As part of the teacher development day, participants were invited into laboratories, had face to face encounters with forest insects and listened to a variety of presentations. The teachers also learned how to design science experiments and established planting trials while also learning key identification features of insects and ways to locate specific species in the forest.
“This teacher development day ensures that as teachers, we have the knowledge and concepts to be really effective for our students. We are learning from the science experts and they ensure we have consistent information so all of our classrooms get the same benefit,” says Head of Science at Mokoia Intermediate, Leonie Horton.