Climate change kit launched in Rotorua to go into schools

Te Rangihakahaka pupils with the new climate change kits. Photo / Stephen Parker

In an effort to improve scientific literacy in schools, House of Science has launched a Climate Change Science Kit available in Rotorua schools.

House of Science was set up in 2014 by Ngāti Whakaue's education arm Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue Iho-Ake Trust.

> Climate Change resource kits were officially launched at Te Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and Technology, the House of Science regional base, on March 5.

About 80 people attended the launch of the kit, which is available in English and te reo, including teachers, scientists, Iwi leaders and representatives of entities with a commitment to the environment.

House of Science chief executive said the issue of climate change was an important one.

"Children in our primary schools today will be dealing with some very serious climate change consequences growing up.

"Enabling their teachers to deliver meaningful, hands-on science activities will ensure their students are well equipped for a future with new challenges."

The climate change kits give an introduction to the topic including photosynthesis of plants and ocean acidification. They include seven activities.

Te Taumata general manager Roana Bennett said the science kits were part of a strategy to grow the next generation of leaders.

"Armed with scientific knowledge, the learners of today will become the environmental saviours of tomorrow. They will have choices about how to mitigate and reverse the environmental impacts that previous generations have left them with.

"It is our hope that tamariki will grow up knowing how to care for Papatūānuku and to be strong advocates for the environment. These kits are a step towards that goal."

The kit is the latest of more than 50 Te Taumata delivers to more than 200 schools including 33 in the Rotorua Lakes District. Teachers book the kits online and they are delivered to the school. At the end of the week, the kits are picked up and restocked for the next school.

At the launch of the climate change kit mayor Steve Chadwick spoke about the council's commitment to sustainability and the importance of the whole community doing their part.

The kits will be available in schools from Term 2.