House of Science raises science literacy in the Waikato
New Zealand’s future prosperity relies on our ability to embrace scientific discoveries and advanced technologies.
However, according to the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement report (2017), 80% of year-8 students in New Zealand were not at the required curriculum level in science. Not only does this limit their career choices in the future but also their ability to participate actively and confidently in the world they live in.
House of Science Central Waikato is a Hamilton based charitable organisation whose aim is that every child in Central Waikato is Scientifically Literate.
The House of Science’s unique educational model is designed to bring practical, hands-on science into Year 0-8 classrooms. Each week they deliver science resource kits that includes everything an educator needs (bi-lingual teacher manual and student activity cards, all equipment and consumables) to teach a science concept to a group of 30+ students in a fun and engaging way. Each kit contains at least 5 activities covering a wide range of topics (35 currently) including climate change, land and water quality, through to nanotechnology and forensics. These resources are fully aligned with the NZ science curriculum. Their team of volunteers transport the kits to and from schools each week and help clean, sort and organise them ready for another school the following week.
Catherine Frericks is the General Manager of the Hamilton based charity, and she says that the work of the trust empowers teachers to raise science literacy.
“Primary and intermediate aged children, regardless of their geographical location or teaching environment, should have the opportunity to explore, experiment and investigate science in all its forms. We believe young people deserve to be encouraged in their natural curiosity and be taught how to think, question and problem solve, as they discover the world around them. By delivering science resources kits weekly to member schools, we help bridge the gap that exist for school teachers to access quality science resources” says Catherine.
Primary school teachers are not necessarily trained in science and can lack the confidence, resources and time to put together well researched, comprehensive science lessons. Science is not directly funded so often the teacher will purchase equipment from their own pocket.
“The work we do is important for our children’s futures” says Catherine.
The Science kits have been very well received by the schools and groups that have used them. Comments have included:
At our school there has been a deliberate push for our students to develop critical thinking skills where they are exposed to lessons where they need to apply, create and reflect on their learning. The House of Science resource has enabled this effectively and has been a catalyst for many discussions which have involved high level thinking and critical analysis - Melville Primary
“They are very useful to help children understand scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way. Great job, keep the kits going, we are finding them really useful” – Silverdale Normal Primary School
To ensure as many students have access to the bi-lingual science resources, House of Science only charge schools 20% of the total cost it takes to deliver this programme with the remaining cost obtained from grants, donations and sponsorship.
The House of Science Central Waikato trust have grown significantly over the last 2 and half years to work with schools in Hamilton and the surrounding area to bring science to students. By the end of last year they were servicing 34 schools and at their peek had 1,600 students using their science resource kits in one week.
“We would not be able to do what we do without the hard work of our wonderful volunteers, our local businesses, trusts and organisations that support us. We have had significant support from the University of Waikato with the very generous lease sponsorship of the premises we operate out of. Along with support from various trusts and businesses within Hamilton and the Central Waikato area” says Catherine.
If you would like to find out more, contact Catherine Frericks on 027 2024649 or at Catherine.frericks@houseofscience.nz