Where sciences meets Māori and Pasifika culture
In 2016 Te Rōpū Āwhina (Āwhina)—Victoria’s on campus whanau support for Māori and Pasifika students studying Science, Engineering, Architecture and Design—successfully completed the first year of their outreach programme.
The programme—Tuhono I te Ao; Connecting the Worlds—connected with over 3500 students in nine locations throughout the North Island.
Established in collaboration with the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions, the programme was designed to inspire young Māori and Pasifika students to pursue study in STEM subjects, and celebrate how Māori and Pasifika knowledge can enhance and inform the understanding of science.
The programme also aimed to inspire communities and support them with access to teaching and new technologies, and participants were given access to an online resource hub, with resources for teachers, parents and students to access that can be used as further learning tools.
Āwhina students and mentors volunteered their time, travelling around Aotearoa to share their knowledge with a primary audience of 10-14 year olds through a range of STEM activities that integrated Māori and Pasifika culture and knowledge, including, exploring the magnetic fields created by hangi stones and designing kowhaiwhai patterns using digital programmes.
Āwhina Director, Marie Cocker says that Āwhina are committed to continuing to work with Māori communities and Iwi in the future, with a focus on those groups that have formed partnerships with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maori office as part of Mai te iho ki te Pae (the Māori outcomes framework).
“The first successful year of Tuhono i te Ao created opportunities for learning and teaching, while inspiring young Maori and Pasifika students, now we want to build on the networks we have created and visit more communities to further support teaching STEM in Aotearoa.”