Meet the Team - Management
A multi-hat wearing, passionate educator, and STEM advocate. She is driven by our ensuring the next generation see themselves in growing STEM industries and loves to drill down into the skill development that empowers learners to innovate.
When she isn’t at work, you would usually find Lauren around a grazing platter with a wine and good company! Although, hold the wine as she is about to welcome her first pēpī into the world!
What sparked your interest in STEM or learning in the first place?
Early in my teaching career, I identified kids confidence and positivity towards their learning absolutely soar - not through the knowledge they attained but due to skills they developed and utilised over and over.
I believe all young people deserve this feeling, the feeling that they can take a skill and apply it to whatever their future holds. STEM education is such a multi-faceted area – it is not about the subject knowledge.
It’s about the skills that are transferrable across any role and any industry. Skills like communication, problem solving and creativity.
What’s your favourite way to learn something new?
I am a visual learner, diagrams and mindmaps help me organise my thoughts and ideas – anyone who has ever been in a meeting with me knows I am terrible at notetaking, but I will draw some pretty pictures and doodles to represent my thinking… remembering them a week later is the issue!
What’s one piece of advice you live by? Or fav quote?
I am a visual learner, diagrams and mindmaps help me organise my thoughts and ideas – anyone who has ever been in a meeting with me knows I am terrible at notetaking, but I will draw some pretty pictures and doodles to represent my thinking… remembering them a week later is the issue!
If you weren’t in this job, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I think I would be some sort of tour guide – I love sharing our beautiful backyard with visitors.
Kaiya is our Pou Tikanga, focusing on our wider cultural strategy and supporting our team in different areas.
She’s passionate about education, psychology, inclusion, and loves connecting with people! When not at work, you’ll likely find her struggling at her hyrox classes or glued to a book.
If you could switch jobs with anyone on the team for a day, who would it be?
Sion!!! He has the best of both worlds (our resident Hannah Montana). Being able to use my love for writing while also getting out to connect with tamariki, that's the dream!
If the team were stranded on a desert island, what role would you play?
With zero survival skills, I would definitely be a morale booster. Being the team clown will most likely drive my team crazy, so I think I'd be the first to go...
What sparked your interest in STEM or learning in the first place?
I was always interested in people and places, inspired by people in my rohe who encouraged me, so psychology was naturally my first love. Being from a small place, having role models or being able to see that pathway was achievable was a huge part in taking that first step into lifelong learning.
What’s a misconception about science you’d love to bust?
That you have to be good at maths to pursue science! After years of having a love/hate relationship with maths, I found out I had to take it at University... Even though my marks weren't the best, I still tried hard and it made me realise that I CAN do it, I just needed to change my approach.
Alex works to connect and collaborate with different industry partners and further Science Alive's mission and impact. As a previous primary trained teacher, she is passionate about ensuring all students have access to engaging and meaningful STEM learning and loves connecting with those who share the same passion.
When she's not at work, you'll likely find her spending time enjoying playing and listening to music and having quality time with friends and family.
If you could switch jobs with anyone on the team for a day, who would it be?
Byron! I love my job, but I definitely miss being in the classroom with students. Plus, he gets to experiment with some amazing things and visit amazing places.
What was your dream job when you were a kid?
To be a popstar/Britney Spears or join Hi-5 - anything on a stage really.
What’s a work skill you didn’t know you’d need but now use all the time?
The ability to slow down. Learning that not everything is better when you rush has really helped me improve the quality of work I produce. Plus, it makes the day much more enjoyable!
If you could meet any scientist (past or present), who would it be?
Jane Goodall – She is a real hero of mine. I'd have loved to have met her and ask her way too many questions. I also LOVE animals and so I would also have loved to have been her for a day!