Cawthron welcomes Nayland teacher on science leadership programme
16 February 2022
Nayland College teacher Gerd Banke is swapping her classroom for Cawthron’s labs for six months, having been selected as one of eight teachers in Aotearoa to embark on a science teaching leadership programme.
The programme, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and delivered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, is designed to give science teachers practical science experience and leadership skills that they can use towards revitalising science curriculum.
“It’s not just a programme for me – it’s a programme for the whole school,” Gerd says. “The school has to buy into it as well by making science a curriculum focus.’’
The programme runs for 18 months. After spending six months at Cawthron, Gerd will return to the classroom but with continued teacher-release time to analyse and lead changes to the school’s science curriculum based on training and experience she’s been exposed to. The programme includes a leadership training course in Dunedin.
“What is nice about being at Cawthron is that there are so many different projects going on. In that way, I’m making lots of contacts within the organisation.”
Royal Society Te Apārangi arranged Gerd’s placement at Cawthron where she’ll predominately be working alongside marine scientists Xavier Pochon and Anastasija Zaiko to increase understanding of environmental DNA and its applications.
Xavier says it’s great having Gerd join their team.
“Gerd brings a new perspective that enables us to better develop our project with education opportunities in mind. The next generation has responsibility for implementing the science of today in tomorrow’s world. Working alongside teachers and schools is part of Thomas Cawthron’s legacy of using science to create a better future for us all.’’
Gerd has taught at Nayland College for 17 years and co-heads its science department. She has also been an avid supporter of the Cawthron Scitec Expo, volunteering as a judge and being on the organising committee for several years.
