Speaker: Jenny Pollock

CRSNZ, Earth and Space Science Educators, President of the Nelson Science Society

Earth and Space Science (ESS) is a relatively new senior science subject that began in 2012, and is based on the Planet Earth and Beyond strand of the NZ High School science curriculum. The subject focuses on Earth System Science and planetary science as it relates to the Solar System. ESS is a highly flexible subject; courses can be designed that cater for teacher and student interests such as Geology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Antarctic Studies, Astrobiology, Earth System Science and Citizen Science. The numbers of teachers and students teaching and studying ESS, as a whole subject or as part of a General Science course, is gradually growing. Good feedback is coming from university students who say that ESS gives them good background science. However, some schools still see ESS as a ‘dumping ground’ for less able students, rather than realising it’s potential.

Jenny Pollock was the lead person in the development and resourcing of Earth and Space Science (ESS). Since retiring from a long career teaching Science and ESS, she is continuing to actively support ESS teachers, and promote the awareness of how ESS can fit into school programmes and prepare students for interesting careers such as in the Earth and Environmental Sciences. In 2008 she was awarded a Royal Society Teacher Fellowship, in 2012 the Peter Spratt medal for a sustained contribution towards science education, and in 2018 became a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Biography: Jenny’s experience integrating Earth and Space Science (ESS) into the NZ High School curriculum is relevant to understanding the experience of our 100 level students, so we have invited her to an informal discussion session at 2.45-3.45pm before the talk. Any SGEES staff who want to chat to Jenny about EES are welcome. Please let Cliff know if you would like to join the discussion.

ALL WELCOME