Bayer Primary School Science Fund: Schools lap up Bayer funding for water ecology
• Focus on improving waterways • Hands-on science experience for pupils
Auckland, 17 May 2016 – Monitoring and improving the health of New Zealand’s waterways is a major focus of many schools receiving grants from this year’s Bayer Primary School Science Fund.
Nineteen schools, including a cluster of six schools from Banks Peninsula, will receive grants of up to $2000 to be spent on science-based projects.
Projects range from stream monitoring and establishing weather stations to planting bee-friendly gardens, bush restoration, hydroponics and worm farms.
Six schools from Banks Peninsular are set to receive maximum benefit by collaborating together on a Nature Agents programme.
It’s the first time in the history of the Science Fund, which is managed by the Royal Society of New Zealand, that schools have joined forces to not only maximise funding, but also to work on a regional project together.
Each school will receive $1359 ($8154 in total) which will be used to purchase identical field and lab kits for studying their local freshwater environments.
The kits will provide pupils with hands-on experience in the collection and identification of invertebrates, stream habitat assessments and water quality measuring.
With all six schools provided with the same kits, their results will also be comparable and scientifically attestable, and they can provide support to each other.
Bayer New Zealand Managing Director Holger Detje says he is delighted to see schools collaborating together for the benefit of the wider environment.
“I’m told the invertebrates of the peninsular are important for the region and some species are not found anywhere else in the world.
“The Peninsular streams are also seldom studied and local communities have little opportunity to learn more about their environment.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Bayer funding is being put to such good use and can’t wait to see the scientific results of their research.”
Royal Society of New Zealand Chief Executive Andrew Cleland says the Society is committed to advancing quality primary science education by encouraging primary students and their teachers to participate in authentic science activities. Science (pūtaiao) and technology (hangarau) are important for New Zealand’s future prosperity and wellbeing.
“Through hands-on scientific investigations children are given an opportunity to be curious about the world around them. These young people will learn about environmental science, their local environment and how to engage with others to improve it.
“They will gain an appreciation of the relevance of science and technology to their daily lives, and learn the skills of critical thinking which they can apply to all aspects of their lives. We are pleased this fund is assisting more schools to deliver these valuable programmes which are contributing to better-informed and environmentally engaged communities,” says Andrew Cleland.
Managed by the Royal Society of New Zealand, the fund is worth $120,000 over three years and is designed to give primary schools the opportunity to apply for funding to support environmental science education and resource Nature of Science activities.
The full list of schools, project summaries and contact details are attached to this media release.
For further information about the fund visit:
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/funds/bayer-primary-school-science-fund/
For further information about Bayer’s community support program in New Zealand, visit www.life.bayer.co.nz
Ends
Bayer media contact:
William Malpass
M: 021 935 217 T: 09-441 8556
Royal Society of New Zealand contact:
Jessie McKenzie
M: 021 254 9114 T: 04-470 5789
Jessie.mckenzie@royalsociety.org.nz
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