re
:
think
Winter 2014
2
TAURANGA’S new House of Science has
already influenced the inquiring minds of
thousands of school children since the start
of the school year.
The House of Science is based at the
University of Waikato’s Coastal Marine
Field Station in Sulphur Point, Tauranga. It
is a charitable trust launched last December
by former secondary school science teacher
Mrs Duggan to enrich science education
across the community. Her aim is to get
more students excited by science in the early
years so they will be inspired to carry on with
their studies through secondary and into
tertiary education.
This year Mrs Duggan has been offering
professional development for primary and
secondary science teachers across the Bay of
Plenty, with 50 teachers turning up in the
first three weeks of operation and there have
been plenty of school visits.
“I’m delighted at the impact we’re
having in our local community,” says Mrs
Duggan. “Every teacher represents at
least 20 students so just this term we have
indirectly influenced several thousand local
students. That is just phenomenal.”
The House of Science also runs after-
school science sessions for students with
this term’s theme focusing on marine
science. Students have been learning how
to make an aquarium, have built their own
microscope device that uses a smart phone
camera to magnify objects, as well as taking
trips to the beach to collect and identify
marine organisms.
“Science is an incredibly exciting
and important subject and it’s alarming
to see so many students lose interest
in it at such a young age. I want to help
connect schools, tertiary institutions
and industry so we can all make science
more accessible, fun and engaging
for kids.” Mrs Duggan says a random
survey she conducted of 100 students who
attended the Tauranga Careers Expo in
August last year found many had become
disengaged with science before they even
entered secondary school. “New Zealand
needs more scientists and people working
in science-related fields, so it is imperative
we find ways to improve this situation,”
she says.
Mrs Duggan will also provide a vital
link to local, science-based organisations
to help teachers enrich the curriculum with
targeted field trips.
The House of Science is supported
by a number of key sponsors, including
the University of Waikato, Priority One,
Page Macrae Engineering, TiDA and
Zespri and already many local companies
have supported the House of Science
by sponsoring teaching resource kits for
school science lessons, which cover themes
in biology, chemistry, physics and food
science. These are lent to schools for a week
at a time and are in hot demand.
“Suitable, durable resources can be
expensive and many schools struggle to
fund their own. These kits include lesson
plans for different ability levels and plenty
of hands-on equipment for young students
to really discover what science is all about in
a fun learning environment.”
From the
Vice-Chancellor
By PROFESSOR ROY CRAWFORD
WELCOME to the first
issue of
re:think
in what is
an important year for the
University of Waikato.
This year marks the
50th anniversary of the
University and to celebrate
we are planning a range
of
events
throughout
the year to mark this
special occasion.
We have not, however, forgotten our primary
tasks, which are providing a relevant, future focussed
curriculum and world-class student experience along
with conducting world-leading research.
We are also strengthening our relationships
regionally, nationally and internationally.
As the tertiary partner of the Home of Cycling’s
Avantidrome, we welcomed the visiting Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge to officially open the stunning
new velodrome and our students successfully
competed at the first event held there, the Elite and
Under-19 National Track champs.
In March we took six of our top academics to
Wellington where we hosted a unique forum on
fresh water.
The “Fresh Water – Fresh Thinking” forum was
a huge success in showcasing our interdisciplinary
approach to research.
You can read about each of the presentations on
pages 6 and 7 of this issue.
This issue of
re:think
has a broad theme of water
and water will remain a key focus for June's Fieldays
at Mystery Creek, where we have reaffirmed our
commitment to this iconic event by extending our
relationship as a strategic partner.
This year we have introduced our new strategy
for 2014-2017 and it includes six inter-related
strategic actions which will enable us to fulfil our
commitment to our Charter and realise our Vision.
The six actions are:
»» Provide a relevant, future-focussed curriculum
and world-class student experience
»» Conduct world-leading research and develop
innovative researchers
»» Strengthen engagement and partnerships
regionally and nationally
»» Implement a comprehensive programme of
internationalisation
»» Embed a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship
and leadership across the university
»» Ensure sustainable practices in all aspects of
university activity
I hope you enjoy this edition of
re:think
and
I encourage you to connect with the University of
Waikato and be a part of a great future.
re:think is published by the University of Waikato
to highlight our research, innovation and
entrepreneurship.We welcome feedback, comment
or inquiry about any of the issues raised in this
publication. Contact us at
The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105,
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Phone:
0800 WAIKATO
(0800 924 528)
Email:
©The University of Waikato, May 2014.
ISSN 2253-4709 (Print)
ISSN 2253-4865 (Online)
About re:think
THE FIRST steps have been taken to establish a Waikato
Agricultural Hub involving a large group of organisations in
the region.
The aim is to bring together leaders in science, agriculture and
education to assist the region double its agriculture export earnings
by 2025.
The organisations involved include the University of Waikato,
NIWA, AgResearch, Landcare Research, Hamilton City Council,
Wintec, DairyNZ, Waikato Innovation Park and Lincoln University.
“The government’s goal is to double primary industry exports by
2025, and with dairy the country’s single biggest export earner, the
Waikato is well-placed to take up the challenge,” says University of
Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford. “The second part
of the challenge is to maintain the natural environment.”
Professor Crawford says the hub proposal is consistent with the
University of Waikato strategy. “It will be attractive to postgraduate
students in particular who will have the benefit of researching in
inter-institutional collaborations,” he says. “For researchers it will
lead to more collaborations in agribusiness, agri-technologies and
the agri-environment, and fit in with our strategy to strengthen
partnerships regionally and nationally.”
On a broader scale, Professor Crawford says it makes sense to
establish the hub because the region boasts a world-class presence in
agricultural and environmental science, strong tertiary institutions
and significant Crown Research Institutes. “And in addition to
this significant agri-technology capability, the Waikato sits in a
significant infrastructure corridor, forming with Auckland and the
Bay of Plenty a triangle of growth centres and sitting between the
country’s two busiest ports.”
While there are already good two-party collaborations happening
across the different organisations, the collaborators think a greater
benefit will be derived from multi-organisational involvement and
by taking a strategic approach.
The outcomes the hub is looking for are increased economic
production from sustainable agriculture, increased investment
in the agri-sector and enhanced environmental, educational and
social outcomes.
“What we also need to ensure is that we establish more and
stronger links to leading firms, such as Fonterra, Tatua, NDA,
LIC, Dairy Goat Co-operative, Ballance and Gallaghers,” says
Professor Crawford.
“What we’re wanting from this is more knowledge sharing in
the sector, productivity gains, innovation in products, technology
and services, and a greater and faster uptake of science so beneficial
outcomes are widespread and achieved earlier.”
The University of Waikato is hosting a Fieldays week
agribusiness event on 10 June, the eve of the National Agricultural
Fieldays, which will focus on the new Waikato Agricultural Hub.
Agriculture from many angles
NewTauranga facility inspires with science
FUN LEARNING: House of Science
Director Chris Duggan shows Broc
Anderson how playdough can
conduct electricity.
GROUP APPROACH:Waikato organisations working together
for agribusiness.
