Elf Eldridge
Teaching science has for me become about three key ideas: critical thinking, encouraging technical creativity and providing a window into our wonderful universe. To me, science is a way of creating and connecting new knowledge. Once you have enough of that knowledge it allows you to appreciate the connections and similarities in the universe. The idea that the flow of particles in a plasma is similar to the way particles move within a liquid sounds dull, but allows us to understand why galaxies interact the way they do; how stars exist; how our hearts are able to pump blood. It’s these connections between physically disparate phenomena that excite me to always try and learn more about the universe. The more I understand, the more beautiful and interesting the universe is. And yet somehow, science is often still perceived as boring! Elf is completing a PhD in physics with the MacDiarmid Institute and is currently a lecturer at Victoria University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science.
With such a tool as science embedded in my conscious interaction with the world, I see beyond the beauty to the astonishing elegance of evolved systems. How could I not share this with my students?”
Chhaya Narayan
Carol Brieseman
I had an opportunity to go on a Royal Society Science Fellowship in 2012 (something I really recommend!) and got to hang out with a bunch of scientists at NIWA for six months. This reignited a passion I had for science that had got snuffed out a bit with everything else in our busy curriculum. I love tapping into kids’ curiosity about the world around them. There is an untainted awe about the world that kids display and I love being able to nurture this and give them opportunity to explore. I enjoy integrating science with other curriculum areas, especially in helping kids experience success in literacy through scientific investigations. I believe all kids need to have an understanding of science – of how it is all around us and why things do what they do. They need to be able to make informed decisions based on their own investigations and research. I love being able to provide opportunities for them to do so. Carol has been teaching for over 20 years. She is currently at Hampton Hill School, Tawa, and is teaching a year 2 and 3 class.
I teach science because the subject has been a passion for me, ever since I was a child. I love exploring, and finding out new things. I love the creativity of science, and the piecing together of different parts to the puzzle. Most of all I enjoy passing this passion and enthusiasm to my students – the ‘aha!’ moments they have make it worthwhile for me. The relationships I build with my students as they catch the excitement of science, and bring new ideas to it, make my job even more exciting. I teach science because I have always had a curiosity about the world I live in and it is so important that our students grasp some of that during their school years. This will only create more curious minds for an innovative New Zealand. Chhaya is a chemistry teacher and HOD Science, at Elim Christian College, Auckland.
Sterling Cathman
I love the energy and excitement of the children I teach. They are tinder boxes of marvel waiting to be ignited. There is also the unknown element of surprise. What happens if I do this? We love surprises, and it makes us want more! Science has the power to engage students and keep them in school. What does the classroom look like when I’m in it? Questions and more questions, inquiring minds, science and little scientists are everywhere. We get to play and experiment in our classrooms every day. It is okay to make mistakes. That’s where the learning happens. Science helps you understand the world, the awe and wonder. It’s a creative endeavour. It keeps the brain sharp. Why do I teach science? I get to do the fun stuff – creating, learning, and experimenting as I work with the students. I get to hear “I want to be a scientist when I grow up”. Sterling (aka Mr Science) is a specialist primary science teacher at Victory School, Nelson. New Zealand Science Teacher >> 11