Science and Technology Education

The Royal Society believes that education, particularly at the primary and secondary school level, is critically important to New Zealand’s future. Through education, we can develop a scientifically and technologically literate society able to utilize knowledge, skills and opportunities for our social, environmental and economic betterment. The Society, in its unique position as the interface between scientific and technological practice and education, is involved in a variety of initiatives with these as their ultimate goals. Examples of Royal Society programmes to achieve these goals are:

NZ Science Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowships

A scheme by which teachers of science, mathematics, social sciences or technology are able to be released from school for up to one year to work on projects of their choice, hosted by industry or institutions such as tertiary institutions, local or territorial authorities, community groups or research institutes.

Realise the Dream

With Genesis Energy as its major sponsor, Realise the Dream will bring together students who have carried out excellent pieces of technological or scientific practice throughout New Zealand. These students will engage in a programme of lectures, workshops, visits and presentations for a week in December, hosted by Victoria University of Wellington. Participants will come from regional science and technology fairs, CREST Award scheme, Young Historians competition, Bright Sparks, Geography Problem-solving and Decision-making competition, InventioNZ and a variety of other such activities.

BP Challenge

The BP Challenge is a fun event between teams, challenging them to design and develop 'solutions' to problems. The BP Challenge is a valid and useful learning activity on its own because of the personal and team skills that can be developed, as well as being useful to introduce topics in the technology and science curricula.

CREST Award scheme

CREST (Creativity in science and technology) is an international awards scheme to encourage student projects in creativity and problem solving. It operates at four levels – First (for Year 7-8 students), Bronze (for year 9-10) and then Silver and Gold for senior students. CREST is renowned for creating links between school students and researchers and technologists.

National Waterways Project

The National Waterways Project, funded by the Ministry of Education Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom fund, has been established to encourage and support schools and students to monitor the water quality of their local rivers, streams or lakes, to consider the data collected and take appropriate action if required. There project provides information about possible school activities, resources for students and teachers, newsletters covering happenings in the waterways project, and professional development opportunities for teachers

genETHICS

genETHICS is a unique and innovative competition that provides secondary school students with an opportunity to discuss ethical issues associated with human genetics research. genETHICS is open to all secondary school students but is most suitable for students in years 11, 12 and 13 studying Biology, Science, or English. To enter, students must prepare an essay of no more than 1500 words that considers the science underlying the attached scenario and the ethical issues that arise from it. Following essay assessment five students will be selected to present their views at a final in Wellington in August.

All participating students will receive certificates; the winner will receive a certificate, and $350.00 cash prize. The winning school will receive $225.00 of book vouchers. The second place winner will be rewarded with a certificate and a $200 prize, and the three remaining finalists will receive a certificate and a $75.00 book voucher. Cash prizes and book vouchers are provided by NZORD.

Quality Teaching Partnership Fund

The Ministry of Education Quality Teaching Partnership Fund is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. This fund provides support for educational conferences/wananga held in New Zealand, assisting teachers, principals and boards to raise the achievement of all their students, through a focus on effective teaching and learning. Teachers' associations, principals' groups, early childhood organisations and other relevant educational providers are invited to submit applications.

Resource provision

The Society continues to produce high-quality resources for students and teachers.

• The Alpha series provides appealing and accessible information on science and technology which are now accompanied by a student worksheet pack designed to provide 3-5 hours work based on the Alpha.
• The Beta series tackles issues in science and technology and gives a variety of perspectives on a particular issue.
• The Gamma series provides up-to-date information on science and technology issues in the news. It is presented in a newspaper style and is photocopiable; recent issues are able to be downloaded.

Awards and Research Schools

The Society and NZASE administer the selection of students and teachers for a number of international opportunities for participation in science and technology. These include the Australian International Space School. US International Space Camp, Professor Harry Messel School in Physics (Australia) London International Youth Science Forum, Taiwan Science Fair and the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition.

Talented School Students Travel Award

The Talented School Students Travel Award is funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. It has been established to support school students, providing funds to help cover the direct travel costs to nationally recognised science and technology based events outside New Zealand.

BAYERboost Scholarships for summer holiday work

The BAYERBoost scholarship scheme is aimed at giving senior secondary school and undergraduate tertiary students experience in environmental research or restoration during their summer break while at the same time providing financial support up to $6,000 for further study.

Teacher Associations

The affiliation of the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE), the New Zealand Association of Mathematics Teachers (NZAMT), Technology Education NZ, and the Board of Geography Teachers, to the Royal Society, providing for improved dialogue and advocacy.

Students

For secondary students; tertiary students

Promoting Maori and Pasifika into health, science and technology

A report on the 4 March 2005 Symposium convened by Science and Technology Education Committee of the Royal Society New Zealand and the Maori Health and Disability Workforce Sub-Committee of the Health Workforce Advisory Committee.

Environmental Monitoring and Action Project

EMAP is RSNZ's environmental education programme that incorporates the delivery of NWP (National Waterways Project) and GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) to the compulsory school sector. The project is funded through the Ministry of Education LEOTC (Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom) fund. With NWP and GLOBE complementing each other, EMAP reminds students that they can make a difference to the world we live in and encourages environmentally sustainable practice.