Investing in science leadership in schools

The Induction Symposium kicked off with senior management from participating schools, schools’ participant teachers and science host organisations working together to explore their respective roles within the kaupapa of the programme.

The programme focuses on developing science leaders within participating schools.  Their role is to facilitate the development of high quality science programmes that engage students in authentic science learning experiences within their local communities. 

Around 80 schools have signed up for the Science Teaching Leadership Programme since its inception in 2015.  The programme is one of a suite of initiatives outlined in A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara, the Government’s national strategic plan for science in society.

The programme has two phases.  During phase one, participant teachers take leave from their schools to work with science researchers at host organisations, develop their science curriculum knowledge and undertake extensive leadership training. In phase two, participant teachers return to school to lead eighteen months of intensive science development within their school and community.