Biology Teacher Professional Development Programme is back for 2023
1 August 2023
The annual Maurice Wilkins Centre’s Biology Teacher Professional Development (PD) Programme kicked off in July with great enthusiasm from local communities and teachers.
The programme started in Kaitaia, hosted by The Moko Foundation, where four of New Zealand’s leading scientists met with local science educators and health providers at Waimanoni Marae. The speakers presented up-to-date information tailored to the national biology curriculum, particularly Level 2 and 3 NCEA.
Professor David Grattan (University of Otago) spoke about the homeostatic control of body weight; Professor Martin Kennedy (University of Otago) presented on the genomics of complex health conditions, such as mental health; Dr Anna Brooks (University of Auckland) updated the audience of the latest science and understanding of Long Covid; and Dr Alana Alexander (University of Otago) presented on the genetic tools for studying whales and dolphins and touched on Te Ao Māori. This was followed by two further PD days held in Whangārei and Auckland.
Teacher Professional Development Day in Kaitaia and Whāngarei.
Professor Martin Kennedy with teachers, and Dr Anna Brooks and Helen Hall (Unitec) in Auckland.
In the programme’s second half in November, PD days will be held in Christchurch, New Plymouth, and Rotorua. Registrations are currently open.
Find out more information on our events page.
This year’s programme is associated with the Biology Educators of Aotearoa NZ (BEANZ).