The Science Teaching Leadership Programme (STLP) provides opportunities for primary schools, secondary science departments and their nominated teachers to enhance the teaching of science. Here Vicki Moffat and Manaaki Whenua discuss the mutual benefits to kura and science institutions.

Titirangi School’s Vicki Moffat is a participant teacher in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funded Science Teaching Leadership Programme administered by Royal Society Te Apārangi. It seeks to transform science teaching and learning through a one-of-a-kind programme of learning across two phases:

• Phase One is a six-month experience, which involves a host placement with a science organisation to develop their knowledge, workshops to deepen their understanding of the New Zealand curriculum, more specifically the Nature of Science and further enhance their leadership skills.
• In Phase Two, teachers return to their kura to undertake an in-depth review of their school’s science programmes, produce a school development plan to transform science teaching and learning, deliver and lead activities to lift science engagement, confidence and achievement overall and measure the impact and progress made. By accepting a placement in this programme, schools have committed to making science a focus for development for two years. 

Relationships and resources

Vicki recently concluded her placement at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research exploring the microbiology and morphology of fungi and bacteria.She says her personal, professional and scientific development through the programme has been far greater than she ever anticipated. Vicki adds that the relationships she has built at Manaaki Whenua and with other participants in STLP means that she can return to school with a bank of resources she can use to teach science.

Rose Williams, Technician at Manaaki Whenua, believes that it’s important for teachers and scientists to work together because all scientists were school kids at one point.

“For a lot of us, that’s where our love of science began.”

Hosting a teacher

Rose says her experience as a host has been “fantastic” and hosting a teacher has allowed her to do something different, empowering Vicki to take the lead with her guidance and mentorship. 

“[Being a host] gives us a chance to do some fun stuff that we wouldn’t normally do, like this probiotic project that we’re working on.

“I’m just there to guide her through, help her design experiments and look at results.”

Rose encourages other organisations looking to host a teacher to “just go for it, it’s so rewarding”. She says it’s important to meet with the participant teacher to see what their aspirations are and plan a programme with them from there.

“Involve as many people in your organisation as possible, so that your teacher gets a chance to experience a diversity of roles within your organisation.”

Demystify science

Peter Buchanan, Science Team Leader at Manaaki Whenua has hosted many teachers and says the Science Teaching Leadership Programme helps students demystify science and science institutions.

“We’re not ivory towers – the people who work here are just normal people, they just happen to have skills in science.”

Peter says he sees teachers returning from their STLP placements with more motivation in their teaching, and hands-on experiences to teach their students about.

When it comes to the benefits for the host organisations, Peter says it’s “all gain”.

“I would suspect that it is for any other organisation that has a perspective on outreach for their own science – having a teacher present only adds to that.”

Vicki returned to school in Term 3 2024 to begin Phase Two of STLP and implement a development programme to grow science engagement and achievement at Titirangi School.

Article by Grace Prior, Kaitohutohu Pāpāho Communications Advisor, Royal Society Te Apārangi.

If you’re interested in learning more about STLP, check out Royal Society Te Apārangi’s website. for more information.

Applications are now open for STLP 2025’s second cohort beginning in Term 3 – apply now at royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/funds-and-opportunities/science-teaching-leadership-programme/apply-for-the-science-teaching-leadership-programme/

INTERFACE November 2024