Kiwrious Science Education
Professional Learning Development programme
A member of the Ministry of Education PLD panel
Engage students in doing science that is relevant and authentic
We provide high-quality professional development to enable teachers to make learning about science and the Nature of Science accessible to students.
We will support you to develop an exciting hands-on, engaging science programme aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum.
Contact us and let’s begin our Kiwrious Inquiries.
Our mission: To inspire you to do science
Kiwrious Ltd’s mission is to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers and innovators regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity or gender. We give teachers the confidence and capability to make learning about science engaging, challenging, relevant and memorable for all. Do science in real-life contexts in the local environment.
Why teach the
Nature of Science?
Nature of Science?
Designing and doing scientific inquiries develops an appreciation of how scientists work, the science capabilities, and a recognition that science knowledge is distinct from other ways of knowing about the world.
Meet your PLD facilitator
Dr Dawn Garbett is the lead education consultant and self-proclaimed Queen of Kiwrious.
Dawn has an extensive background in science education across all sectors of the education system - from early childhood centers and secondary schools to teacher education at University.
Dawn is leading the Kiwrious professional development programme to give teachers the confidence and competence to make doing science an integral part of schools' programmes. Arise, curious, creative science teachers!
What we offer
Introductory bespoke workshops for your school or Kahui Ako about the Nature of Science
Professional development to foster your confidence and enthusiasm to make doing science in your school relevant and authentic
In class support to engage students in learning through doing science
Class kit of 10 x 6 sensors with access to Kiwrious web tools, professional development resources and community
We will tailor a programme to suit you
Upskill your team and give them the confidence to teach about the Nature of Science. Our programme is suitable for funding via regionally-allocated PLD (we can assist your applications). It can also be delivered directly to your learning community.
What we can include:
Planning session to build your own science wish-list (virtual)
Workshops to explore the Nature of Science using activities you can take to class the next day
Workshop to use Kiwrious sensors and platform
In-class support
Class kit - 10 x 6 plug and play sensors for you to keep and use with Kiwrious web tools (learn, play and measure)
Access to the Kiwrious professional development community and resources
What teachers say about Kiwrious
"It makes collecting data, things which can be quite strenuous normally, quite exciting and fun."
"Even the most reluctant students will go and find a chromebook just so they can use the sensors"
Read more here
“I like that it’s going to get my students to start asking their own questions and having a way to easily answer their own questions …bringing in the language of science and critiquing others’ work”.
Katie Legg, Oxford Area School.
Read more here
As simple or complex as you need
Kiwious sensors connect to 3 web tools that enable students to do projects at different levels.
Capture simple observations and share them. Replicate and peer review other's inquiries.
Log and export measurements to analyze elsewhere for more extensive investigations.
Code using scratch - create stories, games and animations that respond to the sensors.
Students learn by doing
"It was funny... they all went in and tried to replicate each other’s and they were going “Aw Miss, I can’t do it, such-and-such didn’t leave enough instructions!” and I was like - this is what I’ve been trying to tell you the whole time!"
It makes learning concrete
"Measurement is concrete evidence. What is invisible is actually happening. Students can see for themselves the difference in humidity in the grass, 20cm away, further away... they’ll remember that."
Kiwrious kits are already there.
Join our learning community and add your school to the map.
Support Kiwrious by making a donation
Kiwrious is a not for profit registered at the charity office. Our vision is to help all students have equitable access to technology to enhance learning in a science context. Support us in our mission.