New resource is changing the game for STEM learners Gamechangers by name, Science Alive has high hopes its latest initiative will also be a game changer by nature for teachers. Free to use, the online activity uses successful Kiwi innovators to engage and inspire students with STEM, develop their skills and expose them to potential career paths in science and technology. Launched late last year, Gamechangers is a new, online learning tool that’s part of the Science Alive Ma-tauranga resources. It has been created in collaboration with Education Perfect and is accessible for free on the digital learning platform. “Gamechangers allows primary school students to understand the skills that drive a data scientist, the teamwork that creates a film and the problem-solving mindset vital for a start-up CEO,” said Project Lead Lauren Pugh. “Students set out on a journey to master skills across a land of native flora and fauna. Throughout the journey, they meet Gamechangers, inspiring experts from a range of science, technology and innovative disciplines who share their experiences and advice.”
Kiwi flavour
Gamechangers has a distinctly Kiwi flavour. While the resource’s focus is science, innovation, and technology, it also weaves Te Reo Ma-ori and Ma-tauranga Ma-ori (Ma-ori knowledge, views, and perspectives) throughout each learning activity. Additionally, students
learn from inspirational Kiwis in a diverse range of industries related to the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. From rocket engineers and master weavers to app developers and inventors, the programme aims to encourage learners to hone their skills and become the country’s next ‘game changers’. “We have collaborated with homegrown Kiwi innovators – people that students can identify with, such as Logan Williams, entrepreneur, inventor and founder of Shear Edge.” said Claire Turner, Science Alive Executive Trustee. “These are real, relatable New Zealanders delivering a powerful underlying message for students: if they can do it, I could do it too”. The influence of Ma-ori culture also helps students recognise the interconnection of learning, culture and technology. “Ma-tauranga Ma-ori is knowledge and perspectives of connectedness, just as science concepts are, so we’re looking at how we can inform and explore in an
unbiased way, acknowledging our heritage and our indigenous people as well as technology and science,” added Pugh, whose experience includes STEM teaching, project-based learning and consulting in schools.
T the Tuatara
Funded by the Science Alive Charitable Trust, Gamechangers content description challenges students to explore new scientific concepts, important moments in history, key players, and apply their knowledge to take action. In order to achieve this, they have to navigate a map with ‘T the Tuatara’ collecting new skills, represented in the form of pa-ua shells. “Students have to go out and find all these skills and bring them back to the centre, to reunite the land together once more,” explained Pugh. “Each one is a lesson. They learn from the game changer then demonstrate that they have learned that skill. “We are moving into a skills economy more than a knowledge economy. We want to give these kids the skills, so they will be able to thrive no matter what kind of role they are in.” There are six skills to master: problem solving, communication, collaboration, character, critical thinking, and creativity.
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