In response to the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown, the MOTAT Education team has created MOTAT.fun, an online education platform for teachers.

The site includes short, child-focused STEM activities through to longer duration lesson suggestions that teachers can use as part of their distance learning plans for students.

Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) has responded to the current COVID-19 climate by quickly transforming the way in which it engages with the wider public.

“We have an important role to play in supporting our Education sector, who are about to start delivering remote learning on a scale that is unprecedented in our history” said MOTAT’s General Manager of Museum Experience, Steven Fox.

Fresh and imaginative

MOTAT.Fun delivers fresh and imaginative activities and content to kids, parents and teachers. The content is free to access, new content is added regularly, and teachers have their own section offering STEM subject related activities that can be used to add value to their existing lesson plans.

“Our Education team work closely with schools, so they know what is needed and how best to deliver it,” added Fox. “The work they have done on creating digital content which allows teachers and students to engage with our collection and augments existing museum-based programmes to meet the new demand for ‘virtual’ delivery is very exciting.”

The team behind MOTAT realise that while museums may not be considered an essential service, they do have an essential role to play in bolstering the morale of people during this stressful and uncertain period.

“MOTAT.Fun is our offering to the New Zealand public at this time, it’s our way of serving the community and playing our part. We can’t physically be together at this time, but we can still deliver on MOTAT’s vision to inspire the innovators of tomorrow.”

Take a look

MOTAT invites teachers to have a look and take what they want from the resources and lesson suggestions. New content is added weekly with plans to offer a suite of synchronous engagement activities in the near future. 

Check it out at motat.fun/teachers