A national science academy aimed at boosting the teaching confidence of primary and intermediate teachers in the subject is to hold its first four-day workshop next week.
The Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy, named after the late New Zealand physicist, was launched by the National Science-Technology Roadshow Trust to combat shortfalls in science teaching in New Zealand.
Roadshow Trust director Ian Kennedy said lack of confidence seemed to be a major impediment to science teaching in New Zealand.
"We've got high expectations [for the academy] and we're putting in a significant evaluation process around that - not just in the content, but what these teachers do back in the classrooms."
The academy will hold a pilot programme at Matakana in Rodney from September 18-21, and will look at running up to three more next year, including one in Canterbury.
