Registration form

 

Join the more than 650 alumni who have been through the Academy programme....

Since 2012 the Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy (The Academy) has run an intensive four day professional development programme that provides a forum for exchange, encouragement and dissemination of “best practice” primary science teaching. We are now seeking registrations from primary and intermediate teachers.

Academy Dates (* during school holidays)

Dunedin Tues 16 – 19 April 2024*

Auckland Tues 1 – Fri 4 October 2024*

 

This academy has zero course fees thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education.

Indivdual schools will still need to meet any other costs like travel and accommodation.

The Academy offers a fresh approach to equipping primary and intermediate school teachers with skills, resources and techniques to feel more confident in delivering the science curriculum — especially the Nature of Science strand — through an intensive, four-day programme, followed by on-going interaction and support through the alumni network and its events.

Teachers will build good working relationships with Academy staff and other participants, forming the basis of a strong alumni network to endure beyond the initial four day programme, to the benefit of children and the wider school community.

Each intake is capped at 24 teachers. Candidates should preferably have at least three years teaching experience and demonstrate qualities that point to their ability to play an important school-wide role in your future science programme.

The Academy Vision

The Academy is an initiative of the National Science-Technology Roadshow Trust. Our vision is to create a cohort of teachers who celebrate science and inspire their classes and colleagues to join them in exploring the world through science. It is about enhancing confidence and competence.

All this contributes to the creation of science champions in your school and to better prepare your students for a future New Zealand that will be deeply dependent on science.

The Academy Programme

A variety of excellent facilitators present the Academy programme. It is insightful, dynamic and interactive, as well as practical and hands-on, bringing a variety of best practice techniques and experiences to the fore.

Snapshots

• Learn how to target all types of learners by developing practical investigations that will stimulate all the senses.
• Introduce more science to other areas of your teaching.
• Unit selection and planning.
• Investigate the cultural differences in learning styles and how teaching can be adapted to meet the needs of all learners.
• Discover that you don’t need to be an expert in science to teach science well.
• Being a Science Champion within your school or area and inspiring science learning in all classrooms.

Sample Day

• What does the research into science teaching tell us?
• Exploring The Nature of Science strand.
• Doing hands-on inquiry science.
• Making science fun and practical for all cultures and learning styles.
• How do you know your students have learnt anything?

Your School Commitment

To cover course fees and any accommodation, meals and travel.

The Academy Provides:

• Extensive practical/hands-on daily activities.
• Multiple session presenters each day — practising teachers, science education specialists, Academy staff.
• Peace of mind — you are not alone tackling the Science Curriculum, especially the Nature of Science strand.
• Lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
• Opportunities to share your experiences and to create new resources.
• On-going access to Academy staff and alumni events.
• Proven quality gains in teaching practice.

Please note: It is mandatory for alumni to contribute to the collation of data to support the Academy’s contractual obligations to funders. Such data would include teacher feedback immediately after the Academy and subsequent actions (e.g. how alumni passed on the content of the course to at least one other teacher as part of their PLD) within three months post Academy.

In addition, we would encourage each school to invoke, post-Academy and over the subsequent 12 months, at least four teacher release days (or equivalent) so that alumni have the opportunity to follow through with ideas and experiences from the Academy. We are particularly interested in how, as a consequence of your attendance this course lead to improved student learning.

The Next Step

Complete the Registration form

 

 

The Academy received the personal endorsement of the late Sir Paul Callaghan,
2011 New Zealander of the Year.