Register your interest

 

Four years old and growing....

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.

We are now seeking expressions of interest from primary and intermediate teachers.

Academy Dates

2018 (all during school holidays)

• Invercargill Tues 17 – Fri 20 April
• Auckland Tues 10 – Fri 13 July
• Napier Tues 17 – Fri 20 July
• Manukau Tues 2 – Fri 5 October
• Whanganui Tues 9 – Fri 12 October

 

NB: We are awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of Education of a contract extension to enable us to continue offering “zero course fees” for 2018; otherwise costs to be advised.

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 all non course fee costs such as meals, accommodation, travel and day relief (if any).

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.

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.