Inspiring science teaching discussions
Science education is evolving, and our teaching practices need to reflect this. The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao (SLH) invited a small group of experienced science teachers to share their understanding and classroom practices. Joining the discussions were science/pūtaiao educators acting as facilitators. The purpose was to produce short videos to prompt teacher professional discussions within and between schools and communities.
A shared vision
As educators, we have opportunities to contribute to a shared vision for social justice via inclusive teaching and learning practices.
Science for the future
There is a lot happening in education within Aotearoa New Zealand and globally – with implications for what we teach and why.
The New Zealand Curriculum is knowledge-rich, informed by the science of learning, and framed within the whakapapa of Te Mātaiaho. The design of this framework encompasses seven curriculum components. Te Mātaiaho as a whole weaves together these components, all of which begin with the word ‘mātai’, meaning to observe, examine, and deliberately consider.
We are working to ensure there is equal status, support and resourcing for mātauranga Māori in NCEA, opening up greater opportunities for ākonga to access mātauranga Māori and the pathways that lead from it. This change is system-wide, with mātauranga Māori being woven into all aspects of NCEA.
Science education has an important role to play in supporting our young people to meet the complex challenges of the modern age. Students need a curriculum that can prepare them to work collaboratively, competently and confidently to address the wicked ‘global’ problems of our time.
The PISA 2025 science framework defines the competencies that are developed by science education. These are perceived to be a key educational outcome for students, to engage with science-related issues, with the ideas of science, and to use them for informed decision making. The scientific competencies define what is considered important for young people to know, value, and be able to do in situations requiring the use of scientific and technological knowledge.
Provocations for science educators
This interactive image map showcases short videos of teachers and science/pūtaiao educators discussing science education. Click on a label for the video, background information and prompting questions/ngā pātai.
Select here to view the full transcript and copyright information.
Additional resources
The following resources provide helpful background information. They’ve been broadly grouped into themes.
Aotearoa New Zealand
Mana ōrite mō te Mātauranga Māori – equal status for mātauranga Māori in NCEA – Ministry of Education
Professor Georgina Stewart on the science curriculum – Waatea News
Decolonising science – The Conversation/SLH article
The 2024 science education summit – SLH article and videos
The changing purpose of science education – SLH video
Thinking about science education for the future – SLH article
Enduring competencies for designing science learning pathways
Enduring competencies for designing science learning pathways – NZCER
Enduring competencies for designing science learning pathways – SLH webinar
What is a knowledge system? – SLH webinar
Learning benefits of a knowledge systems approach to science – SLH webinar
Taking a knowledge systems approach in the classroom: Some dos and don’ts – SLH webinar
PISA 2025 Science Framework
PISA 2025 Science Framework – OECD
Agency in the Anthropocene – SLH article
Nature of science and the science capabilities
The nature of science in the curriculum – SLH article
Five science capabilities – Tāhūrangi
Having fun with the science capabilities – SLH webinar
Science capabilities in action – SLH webinar
Science concepts
Science topics and science concepts – SLH article
Science concepts – SLH list with links to resources
Building Science Concepts – SLH articles
Examples of mātauranga Māori and science
Awhi mai awhi atu – kuku restoration – SLH article
Monitoring kōura – SLH article
He awa whiria – braided rivers – SLH video
He reo nō te puehu – A voice from the dust – SLH article and video
Contextual learning
Strengthening science learning – SLH article
Science in New Zealand contexts: perspectives of teachers and students – SLH article
Building science capital at Toko School – SLH article
Big issues
Climate change – a wicked problem for classroom inquiry – SLH article
Genetically modified foods – a socio-scientific issue – SLH article
Water fluoridation – a socio-scientific issue – SLH article
1080 – a wicked problem – SLH article
Getting to the heart of diabetes and exercise – SLH article
The environmental fate of chemicals – a context for learning – SLH article
Acknowledgement
The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao would like to thank the following people for their contribution to these resources:
Mairi Borthwick, Dianne Christenson, Sabina Cleary, Melissa Coton, Bronwen Cowie, Rose Hipkins, Carmen Kenton, Sarah Ridgway, Lian Soh, Sara Tolbert, Anna Thornton, Andrea Tritton, Pauline Waiti and Meredith Wilson.
