Nurturing Non-Sensory Learning in Classrooms through KiwiRious Science Experience
Kiwrious, an innovative educational initiative, is on a mission to enhance technology-driven science education in New Zealand. The programme aims to foster a national community of young scientists who recognise the potential and limitations of scientific inquiry.
The Kiwrious Science Experience, backed by sponsors such as AWS, Cloud9, MinterEllisonRuddsandWatts law firm, Toi Foundation, COMET Auckland, and the University of Auckland, offers a unique learning platform that encourages students to engage with real-world scientific concepts and experiments.
At the heart of this programme is the Kiwrious Sensors Kit, which has been distributed for free to numerous high schools across New Zealand, including Kaikohe Christian School. This kit, created by Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara from the University of Auckland and his team at Augmented Human Lab in the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, includes six sensors that measure volatile organic compounds in the air, temperature, humidity, conductance, UV/light level, and heartbeat.
Theresia Van Wingerden, a teacher at Kaikohe Christian School, has reported that the Kiwrious science sensors have made her class "very cool" and that the students are limited only by their imagination. One intriguing discovery made by Theresia's students was that thinking about their "crush" makes their heart rate almost as much as running around the classroom.
The Kiwrious team's educational research focuses on understanding how to maximise students' learning about the Nature of Science when they use the Kiwrious Science Experience. They hope to engender teachers' confidence in evidence-based research tailored to inform practice and innovation.
Theresia has found that the Kiwrious sensors have helped her break out of her teaching mould and move towards an inquiry-based approach. She has observed that the students' inquiries and approach to scientific theory are improving over time.
The Kiwrious Science Experience is supported by additional resources such as a blog, lesson guidelines, demonstration inquiries, videos, and a professional development community of teachers. These resources aim to facilitate and guide educators in implementing the programme effectively.
By providing an interactive, hands-on learning experience, Kiwrious is helping to cultivate the next generation’s scientific literacy, problem-solving abilities, and enthusiasm for STEM fields. The programme aspires to foster scientific capabilities for every student in New Zealand, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic status.
For more detailed program-specific information, official Kiwrious resources or New Zealand education sites would be the best sources.
- By utilising the Kiwrious Sensors Kit, a unique learning tool in science education, students are encouraged to explore real-world scientific concepts through hands-on experiments, fostering their problem-solving abilities and increasing their interest in STEM fields.
- The Kiwrious Science Experience, backed by various sponsors and resources, strives to promote technology-driven science education nationwide, empowering teachers to adopt evidence-based, inquiry-based approaches and cultivating scientific literacy among students of all backgrounds.
