Cotswold Mātāhae - Ashleigh Macdonald

Name: Ashleigh Macdonald

School: Cotswold Mātāhae

Region: Canterbury

Placement: Sports Science – Human Body and You                                                   

Host: Ara – Te Pūkenga

Cotswold Mātāhae is dedicated to fostering a passion for science and developing critical thinking skills among its students. With a commitment to a well-rounded curriculum, the school aims to enhance and develop science education at all levels. By expanding the science resource area, removing teaching barriers, and promoting community engagement, Cotswold Mātāhae seeks to make science a desirable learning pathway for all students. The school plans to involve the community through science events and partnerships with local professionals and organisations, aiming to elevate the profile of science education and demonstrate its relevance in everyday life.

Ashleigh has taught in primary school context for the last 7 years. Over this time, she has had the privilege to develop relationships and understandings of various age groups within the Senior Syndicate.  Ashleigh has a passion to create and design learning opportunities which foster fun and engagement. She has had recent experience in co-running the school’s science badge programme, which has highlighted the children’s love and passion toward science. In addition, this experience allowed her to see the value of science within the school community as it helped children gain an understanding about the world around them and foster their curiosity and exploration.

Ashleigh Macdonald will participate in research and activities exploring aspects relating to the human body and fitness at Ara - Te Pūkenga.  This will include her engagement with faculty staff in a wide range of projects, participation in relevant lecturers and immersion in research opportunities to gain an understanding of:

• Foundational knowledge development  around anatomy, physiology and nutrition.
• Explore and investigate the correlation between physical activity (movement and exercise) and its impact of on overall health and wellbeing.
• Explore and learn about adaptations occurring within the human body during engagement in various forms of physical activity
• Working with research groups carrying practical tasks as directed.
• Exploration of the environmental factors and their effects on the human body.

Through active involvement in these research and experiential activities, Ashleigh aims to deepen her understanding sports science, foster interdisciplinary connections and use her basis of knowledge to educate children about their human body and health.