The new Māori Science Academy – Pūhoro – was launched with a bang (quite literally) in January this year and they’ve had a non-stop schedule of events since.
For the first term Pūhoro staff have focussed on supporting students through their classes and assignments and giving them a glimpse of the future, showing them what science-related careers can look like. So far, that’s included Massey science staff taking a fortnightly tutorials around the Manawatu and field trips to ‘Get Ahead’ career days, showcasing agricultural jobs.
But, for the staff behind Pūhoro the Academy is more than that, it’s about breaking down barriers between school districts and helping kids develop a network of peers and whānau to support them. That’s why their most recent get together, the inaugural Waka Wars on 9 April, was so valuable for the students.
Academy kaihautū (leader) Leland Ruwhiu says, “Getting the students together every term is vital as it reminds them that while they work within their own schools during the term, they’re part of a wider community of other Pūhoro students who share their passion, which is reflected in the academy’s mantra ‘He waka eke noa’, we’re all in this together.”
The event saw students from six schools working in mixed teams to compete in engineering challenges. Together, and in less than 3 hours they built motorised cranes, swings, free standing towers and Mars rovers.
Following the engineering challenges students were given a tour of Massey University labs where they flavoured meat-like bean products, competed to find the dirtiest part of the lab with ATP (adenosine triphosphate) testing and drove prototype omni-directional hospital beds that were created to help medical staff move patients. They also saw a dynamic digital sign prototype that works like a multi-directional street sign – so that as it moves, its display changes to show the latest information.
Programme ambassador Mana Vautier and NASA aerospace engineer also checked in with students via Skype on the day.
The next challenge for Pūhoro staff is to grow their capacity and meet the huge demand they’ve created from all over the rohe.
Te Tumu Paeroa are proud supporters of Pūhoro – Māori Science Academy.
