Science depends upon curious minds and the creator of science kits delivered to primary schools around Nelson-Tasman had a hall full of those minds at Upper Moutere last week.
Chris Duggan is the science force behind House of Science which she started 12 years ago after becoming frustrated with the lack of science knowledge among students entering high school.
It’s run as a charitable trust, dependent upon sponsors, donors and funding, so it was only the beginning of this year that it was finally able to open a branch in Nelson. Now, 14 schools are signed up throughout Nelson-Tasman to receive new science kits every two weeks on subjects such as rocketry, marine science, dairy science and nano-technology, as well as the usual science topics.
At Upper Moutere School she sparked those curious minds by showing them how surface tension worked with bright blue liquid through a sieve; how an electrical circuit worked with an energy tube, and the elastic potential energy of a dropper popper.
“Science starts with curiosity,” she told them. “It’s in your kitchen, your garden, your lunch box. Scientists aren’t people who know all the answers; they’re people who ask good questions. That’s how amazing things are discovered.
“Every invention you love comes from someone being curious. You don’t have to be a grown-up to be a scientist. You can explore and experiment right now. You can even make mistakes. That’s how some of the best things are discovered.”
The North-Island based science teacher and now chief executive of House of Science was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for her transformative impact on science education.
Funding is a continuous effort to keep it going and expanding it throughout the country, she says, with no money from the Government. Going by an independent study last year, the concept is working by growing science awareness among younger students at high school level.
“In the past, they all thought science was just Bunsen burners, whereas those students now know science is everywhere. It allows kids to look at the world through science lenses. Critical thinking is so important. That is the absolute core of science thinking – to question everything around you. It helps you make informed decisions. I’m a little bit passionate!”
Chris went to school in Holland where she says science was taught really well from a young age, and her blue boxes delivered to schools are aimed at filling that gap here.
Upper Moutere School’s deputy principal, Toby Ammundsen, says the kits arrive at school with all the resources and information for a sequence of lessons.
“It’s easy, and the kids love it. Science is a tricky thing to teach in schools because it’s resources – you need all the equipment. Whereas this is packaged for you and dropped off. It’s all there for you.”
