Interweaving knowledge systems
Our April pānui introduces Matariki and maramataka as authentic contexts to explore science, mātauranga and wellbeing.
Interweaving knowledge systems with Te Kāhui o Matariki
Matariki presents an authentic context to explore te taiao (the environment) through scientific and mātauranga Māori lenses.
Matariki and Environment Aotearoa 2022
The Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ report Environment Aotearoa 2022 uses the Matariki star cluster as a framework to explore the state of our environment. Each whetū in the Matariki cluster is associated with an aspect of wellbeing and the environment. Find out more in our introductory article, which features Matariki – the herald of wellbeing. Every week, we will add a new article to explore a star and its environmental connections, culminating with the 24 June 2022 rising of Matariki.
Te Kāhui o Matariki
This infographic from Environment Aotearoa 2022 shows the positions of the whetū in the Matariki cluster and describes the environmental domains they represent.
Download a PDF of this infographic.
Source: Ministry for the Environment, Stats NZ and data providers and licensed by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
The activity Naming the whetū in te kāhui o Matariki enables students to identify and label the nine whetū in Matariki and learn about their associations with wellbeing and the environment.
Matariki and maramataka
Matariki marks the first month in the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. Maramataka is an ideal context for interweaving mātauranga Māori with science and social science. For example:
Kaitiakitanga and whakapapa (for example, the genetic whakapapa of gecko bones) also provide meaningful contexts for embedding mātauranga into your programme. The recorded webinar Local curriculum, mātauranga and science provides insights and resources on how to get started.
Curiosity leads to investigations
Curiosity generates questions that create opportunities to carry out investigations. There are many different investigative techniques and approaches to seek understanding and evaluate knowledge. This is an important understanding of how science works across both science and mātauranga pūtaiao.
Pictured is Yvonne Taura (Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Uenuku, Ngāti Tūwharetoa). Yvonne is a kairangahau Māori (researcher) in the Manaaki Taiao rōpū (Māori research team), Manaaki Whenua.
Primary Science Week – 16–20 May 2022
It’s not too late to get organised for Primary Science Week! Join the New Zealand Primary Science Association and the Hub for a free webinar as we share ideas, resources and inspiration for running your own primary science week.
Date: 5 May 2022, 4:00–4:45 pm
Register .
Of course, a science week can happen anytime of the year and with any year level. Use some of our new and/or topical resources to get your students interested in the world around them:
Kiwrious Science Experience – use sensors to measure different scientific phenomena and engage with the nature of science.
Autumn science – a collection of hands-on experiences for the cooler days of the year.
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We offer added value through our social media. Contact us about creating collections or boards tailored to your needs. We can help foster connections between the education and science communities.
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Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Regards
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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