Igniting understanding through interwoven knowledge systems
In this recorded professional learning session Simone Marsters and Greta Dromgool share an excerpt from their 2025 SCICON workshop Ahi Mārama: Igniting understanding through interwoven knowledge systems.
Simone and Greta discuss how mātauranga Māori is codified in pūrākau and transmitted through generations. They look at how these stories o te taiao or nature narratives compliment scientific thinking through a shared basis of observation and how they can support us to connect with nature and teach sustainability.
Through the shared examples and resources learn how you might integrate mātauranga pūtaiao into your classroom, empowering students to explore complex issues such as climate change, with cultural awareness and scientific curiosity.
Stories o te taiao
This is an edited recording of the webinar Igniting understanding through interwoven knowledge systems.
Stories of te taiao – slideshow
This slideshow, from the Igniting understanding through interwoven knowledge systems PLD webinar provides additional support for the video tutorial.
Use the slideshow menu for further options, including viewing in full screen.
Related content
Within the presentation we mention a range of Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao resources, including:
Māori ways of knowing – weather and climate and the video The impact of climate change and mātauranga Māori
Climate change impacts on Māori – infographic
Manu – past, present and future and the Titiro whakamuri Haere whakamua student template
Explore the Māramatanga Māori concept and Mātauranga Māori topic.
Other related resources include Whakairo and the related Māramatanga Māori resource looking at Pounamu as taonga.
Useful links
Watch the Te Papa video series – Battle of the birds on YouTube.
Stewart, G. (2019). Indigenous knowledge in the school curriculum: Whose knowledge? Whose truth? In M. Peters (Ed.), A Companion to Research in Teacher Education (pp. 275–286). Springer.
