Maori Educational Achievement in Science

1
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• Maori Educational Achievement in Science

2
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• If the public really want to engage with
  scientists (MRST)
• Perhaps science students need to engage with them
  even more (TAP).

3
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• Maori students see science as attractive if it
  can demonstrate a contribution to their
  communities
• Relevance
• Links with community, local environment, local
  economy
• Links with other Maori in science

4
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• GNS Western Heights High School study with real
  scientists on real (local) issues and gaining
  real credits
• Crop and Food Targetted research projects and
  tertiary scholarships
• NIWA posting Te Kuwaha staff home to work in
  their own communities

5
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• ESR Partnership with Te Tapuae o Rehua
• IRL hosting TPMF students on site alongside
  Maori science staff
• AgR specific Maori recruitment and HR
  management strategy

6
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• FR Aligning science education across primary,
  secondary, tertiary institutions
• HortR Undergrad Scholarships, science awards in
  schools, mentors
• Landcare building a science education base
  within the Wananga

7
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• Opportunities
• Obvious need
• Scholarships (established practice but not
  oversubscribed)
• Maori students with energy and willingness

8
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• Challenges
• No clear co-ordination or common ambition (CRIs,
  Research and Education sectors, or across Govt.)
• Funding (broadening Capability Building to
  account for under-represented sectors)
• Long-term collective investment

9
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• TAP Responses
• Continue existing individual initiatives
• Education a regular agenda item
• Collective support of key common projects e.g.
  Science Expos
• Adopt a Campus

10
Te Ara Putaiao 4 March 2005

• Sustainable improvements in achievement will
  require the creation of pathways where Maori
  students make science contributions to their
  community
• Whakamakukutia te putake o te Kahikatea kia tipu
  ai