Science inquiry and connecting the dots
At the Hub, we believe that science inquiry practice and contextual learning are at the core of science education. It’s not just for ākonga – inquiry is key for adults, too!
Antarctica – a rich context for learning
Carol Brieseman and Dianne Christenson are educators with a keen interest in meaningful, real-world contexts that engage ākonga and support other teachers. They travelled to Scott Base through the Antarctica New Zealand Community Engagement Programme. Carol and Di tell their inspirational story in Antarctica and Aotearoa: connected by science.
Di and Carol at Scott Base
Educators Dianne Christenson and Carol Brieseman travelled to Antarctica with the Antarctica New Zealand Community Engagement Programme.
They’re standing at the sign marking the entry to Scott Base. The sign and the pouwhenua called Tahunui-a-rangi (seen partially to the left) were carved by Ngāi Tahu master carver Fayne Robinson.
We’ve used their inquiries and media to create new resources. Although Antarctica is a long way from New Zealand, we’ve lots in common with the icy continent:
Managing wastes at Scott Base – those living in this extreme environment go to extreme lengths to protect it. How does this compare to what happens in your community?
Tardigrades and rotifers – life on the edge – extreme adaptations keep these tiny organisms alive in Antarctica – and in New Zealand’s glaciers and hot pools, too.
Mount Erebus – extreme habitats – geothermal systems create and sustain habitats in otherwise hostile locations.
Measurements and monitoring in Antarctica – snapshots of Kiwi scientists’ high-tech and low-tech monitoring happening in and around Scott Base and the Ross Sea.
Educator Douglas Walker also spent time in Antarctica – sampling sea ice in the McMurdo Sounds. If this sounds like an adventure that you’d like your students to experience, but you can’t leave the classroom, check out Doug’s activity using potato chip packaging: Investigating the relationship between measured brightness and length of ice cores.
Sea ice core for measuring available light
Ice cores provide a wealth of information. The thickness of ice impacts how much light gets through to phytoplankton. Some species require high levels of light while others thrive with less.
Doug also shows us the layers of clothing needed while camping on the ice! Brr.
We’re using this opportunity to update many of our older resources that feature Antarctic research and ecosystems. For example, we’ve expanded the species information in this article on whales. There’s lots more to come.
Some things to think about
It’s that time of year when hands-on activities help keep learners’ minds focused and on task. The collections Fun Science and Light and shadows have lots of engaging student activities (practices) underpinned by facts and concepts (knowledge).
Acknowledging change – draft curriculum
The education sector in Aotearoa New Zealand is undergoing significant change. We encourage anyone who is interested to provide feedback on the recently released draft curriculum documents.
The Hub team acknowledges and values the work that you do! We recognize that the coming year will be a busy one – with ongoing learning as we adjust to new content. Our team is working hard to provide support for teachers as we navigate these changes.
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Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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