Bridging Science and Society course

06 July 2026 - 22 October 2026

Region(s): Auckland

Type(s): miscellaneous

This university course run by Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland is a detailed examination of ideas and strategies for making science relevant to both teachers and learners.

Topics will include:

• notions of scientific literacy

• the work of scientists in real-life contexts

• the nature of science and process of scientific inquiry

• contemporary science education pedagogies

• mana ōrite mō te Mātauranga Māori

• the role of science education in improving public understanding of science.

Course overview

This course aims to develop your understanding of scientific literacy; a concept that underpins many countries' curriculum requirements. You will examine the evolving nature of this concept, and based on your reading and reflection, develop and justify your personal understanding of scientific literacy.

The course will also examine the nature of science and the scientific enterprise. Based on discussion, reading and reflection, you will apply your understandings of these two concepts to the work of a practising scientist. Ways of incorporating Mātauranga Māori will also be considered.

In the culminating assessment task, you will synthesise your understandings of these three concepts to design a science programme for use in your classroom and justify its design using appropriate literature.

This course is suitable for educators working across all education sectors and people interested in the practice of Western science.

Go here for more information and to enroll https://study.auckland.ac.nz/ords/r/uoa/catalogue/course?p6_code=EDCURRIC%20704