Snaps from the Month
Te Oraka Shirley School
July started off with a visit to Te Oraka Shirley School for a dose of Big Reactions: Fire & Ice. Students and staff showcased their prior knowledge of the Scientific Method and got a thrill out of the explosive nature of the programme.
The Cathedral Grammar School
The following day we headed to the city to The Cathedral Grammar School for a day of discovery with the Dome and an evening of star gazing for the school’s annual Matariki celebration. It was so much fun to be with tamariki, staff, and whānau for the full experience as we discussed our Solar System, and the cluster of starts that bear such important significance to Aotearoa.
After a quick sleep we headed back to Te Oraka Shirley for a second day of chemistry with more Big Reactions. It’s always beneficial to spend multiple days at a school as it allows for building deep connections and extended learning.
School Holidays
The following week marked the onset of the school holiday period that provided a very well-deserved respite for students and whānau alike. Science Alive continued its mission of providing STEM opportunities throughout Canterbury as we traveled to Akaroa to put on a dome experience for the community through funding from the Akaroa Heartlands Foundation.
Week two of the school holiday period was eventful as we headed down to Dunedin for the New Zealand International Science Festival. This event facilitated a wonderful opportunity to bring whānau together. We experienced the dome’s ability to transport attendees to Antarctica through our short film produced by Antz Powell of Antzworks. In addition to our Antarctica film, we showcased the planets and makeup of our Solar System in the dome. Most sessions were fully booked, proving the power of community learning and engagement.
Term 3 - 5 schools in 5 days!
As we entered the final week of July, we hit the accelerator for five school visits in five days. We began the week at St. Joseph’s School in Papanui, then Clarkville, then Mt. Pleasant and finally took a trip down to Timaru for Oceanview Heights and St. Andrews School.
July was about as busy as it gets
We are grateful for all the interest and support we’ve received so far this year.
We’re still just getting started and looking for more schools to visit. Please reach out today to lock in a spot for some spectacular STEM stimulation!