A parent celebrates science learning

Parent Jodene McCowan explains the impact a science-focused distillation project had on her daughter’s learning and development.

Transcript

JODENE MCCOWAN

Hi. I’m Jodene McCowan, I am Maisie McCowan’s mum, and she’s been involved with the distilling programme for the last 2 years with Sue and the class. I think the kids have just absolutely loved the whole process. It’s something new and out of the ordinary for them, plus they get to make hydrosol and the essential oils, which then they can go on and make products from those like their lavender bags, their pomades, hydrosol spray that they can sell on their enviro store.

I had lots of discussions with Maisie. She’s taken us through the whole process from whoa to go. She really loves it. There’s a lot more involved in it than what you just think. So it’s been a real learning curve for us as well. Maisie’s had some really cool opportunities. She has been able to present like an application form to get funding for the distiller through Curious Minds. So she had to talk with Lachie at Puke Ariki, and she thoroughly enjoyed that. Her confidence has definitely grown with having to do the public speaking. I think she’s not so nervous now. Her, obviously with her maths, it’s been a great help with her maths and just knowledge, just soaking up all that knowledge of how distilling works. It’s been fabulous.

Maisie sees herself as a scientist, so yes I think she will be definitely enjoying science a lot more through this experience. It would be great to see more of this project-based learning in schools so they can have the opportunity to experience new experiences, and distilling has been fantastic.

Acknowledgements
Toko School – the students, staff and Toko School community
Venture Taranaki
Participatory Science Platform, Curious Minds – He Hihiri i te Mahara