Ian Axford Fellowships seminar: David Vannier – Primary and Secondary School Science Education in New Zealand (Aotearoa) – Policies and Practices for a Better Future

Fulbright New Zealand, IPANZ and the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy Board invite you to the second in a series of public seminars by this year’s six Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellows in Public Policy.

About the author

David Vannier, 2012 Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellow in Public Policy

David Vannier is a Consultant at the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Science Education in Bethesda, Maryland. During David’s Ian Axford Fellowship exchange to New Zealand he has been based at the Ministry of Education, researching policies and practices that lead to effective science instruction in New Zealand primary and secondary schools.

Abstract

In 2006 and again in 2009, Aotearoa New Zealand students caught the world’s attention with their outstanding performance on international science assessments from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. These 15-year olds appear to be on track to tackling complex societal challenges, such as global warming and pollution. While this highlights the education system’s strength, there is growing evidence that too many are not doing well in science and do not have access to effective instruction, especially in primary school. This inequity is compounded by the observations that lower achieving students tend to be of Māori or Pasifika descent and from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Educators and scientists are calling for increased attention to science instruction. Their concern extends beyond preparing future scientists to enabling each child to succeed in today’s knowledge-based society.

This report aims to connect the dots between education policy, successful science programmes, student and teacher engagement with professional scientists, research from the past fifteen years, and realities in the classroom. Personal interviews with stakeholders and a case study of primary schools engaged in highly-effective science instruction are presented along with current education data. The findings point to strategies for improving science education for all children.

Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy seminars

Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy are for outstanding mid-career professionals from the United States of America to research, travel and gain practical experience in public policy in New Zealand for seven months, during which time they are hosted at relevant government agencies in Wellington and work towards publishing a policy report. Their reports are launched at a series of seminars, and are subsequently available to download from the Fulbright New Zealand website.

There are six Ian Axford Fellowship seminars in 2012:

• Monday 20 August:
  Caroline Park – More with Less: Exploring Service Delivery Models for New Zealand Marine Fisheries;
• Tuesday 21 August:
  David Vannier – Primary and Secondary School Science Education in New Zealand (Aotearoa) – Policies and Practices for a Better Future;
• Wednesday 22 August:
  Cornelia Weiss – Respecting Human Rights and the Rule of Law: The New Zealand Defence Force;
• Friday 24 August:
  Bruce Vaughn – The United States and New Zealand: Perspectives on a Pacific Partnership;
• Monday 27 August:
  Craig Lebamoff – If You Trust Us, You Trust Us. New Zealand in the Post 9/11 World: Balancing Security and Privacy Rights the Kiwi Way
  We regret that due to unforeseen circumstances this seminar has been cancelled;
• Wednesday 29 August:
  Christian Stearns – Rebuilding Sustainable Communities: Partnerships for Social Housing.

The seminars are jointly presented by Fulbright New Zealand and IPANZ. Tea and coffee will be provided.

IPANZ members register at www.ipanz.org.nz, non-members by email to [email protected]