Education Committee Minutes 3 March 2006
Welcome: Alister Jones
Present: Alister Jones, Pam Williams, Liz Richardson, Robyn Baker, Richard Price, Alan Parris
Apologies: Liz McKinley, Barbara Benson
Minutes of last meeting:
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Moved: R Baker; Seconded: A Jones Carried
Matters arising:
Auckland Branch papers
The issues raised by the Auckland Branch have been addressed. Council confirmed that matters pertaining to science and technology education should be addressed to the Science and Technology Education Committee in the first instance.
Report back from PPTA Subject Association meeting
Alan Parris reported that a meeting of subject associations hosted by PPTA in April had identified a need for support for Associations to build their capability. A smaller working party met in August which concluded that a coordinating group would be useful to facilitate communication and action. RSNZ, PPTA and NZEI subsequently prepared a proposal to MoE for the development of such a function. In negotiation with the Ministry, this proposal has been scaled back to a stocktake of subject association capability and needs analysis.
Curriculum Essence statement
A consultative draft Curriculum statement will be released in June 2006
Report from council meeting: A Jones
The Chair reported that Council were aiming to be far more strategic in their role and to identify the core business of the RSNZ. The importance of education is high in terms of the Act and the outputs of the Society, and is considered a priority for Council.
The committee expressed the view that the RSNZ requires a forward looking vision (inspirational dream) and that the strategic plan should link to this. They considered that the introductory sections of the strategic plan did not sufficiently capture the priority that Council appeared to be espousing for education. The committee requested that Council consider a revision of this introductory section, and suggested the following as a vision statement:
Considerable discussion ensued as to the role of education within the RSNZ. It was considered that the RSNZ must promote science and technology education as well as advocating for s&t education. The RSNZ should not be engaged in educational research but rather use the results of such research for promotion and advocacy.
RSNZ Education activities update:
Peter Spratt gave an update for the past quarter of the activity within the Education unit of the RSNZ.
The committee expressed disappointment at the lack of progress regarding the Olympiads and recommended that the President and Chairperson arrange to meet with the Minister to discuss support for Olympiads.
Action: Chair
Committee Work Plan
Reports were given on progress on the case study project and the tertiary papers study.
General Business
Response to the Academy Council regarding the teaching of Evolution
Suggestions were made for a reorganisation of the draft prepared.
Action: Peter Spratt
Shift the curriculum structure part to an appendix
Start off with the statement that evolution is in curriculum and that it is taught.
The Presidents Report to council re the niche RSNZ should occupy in education in the future.
The committee felt that it was a good idea to bring key groups together to discuss this. It was observed that innovative forward-looking research projects are being funded by MoRST whereas MoE fund research for justification of projects and compliance. Could be value in including MfE and NZTE. It was suggested that the RSNZ initiate a forum to look at how the RSNZ fits into the science and technology arena with respect to the Ministries of Education, Research Science and Technology, Economic Development, and Environment.
The committee endorses the President’s proposed action.
Careers in Science forum
Committee discussion raised questions as to the absence of two key groups – NZ Association of Scientists and NZ Association of Science Educators.
It was moved that this committee recommend strongly to the Forum organising group that a representative from NZAS and NZASE be invited to this Forum
Williams/Richardson Carried
Don’t need all VC Research; replace with NZVCC
RSNZ maths committee posters, NZASE posters and NZST inserts
Roadshow could do more
Biotech Learning Hub good
National Science Panel
The committee endorsed the concept of a National Science Panel. They were anxious that it be resourced sufficiently, but not at the expense of current RSNZ activity. The criticality of education to the aims of the NSP was noted and the committee hoped that this would be evident in the composition and actions of the Panel.
Policy statements
The draft statements were discussed and suggestions made for revision.
Action: Peter Spratt
Add in vision
Page 2 bullets add richard’s comments
Report from NZAMT on 2005 activities
Alan Parris reported on the activities of NZ Association of Mathematics Teachers in 2005. He also gave an outline of the LANE (Literacy and numeracy empowerment) research project being carried out in Christchurch.
Committee congratulates LANE for the concept of looking at the concept of the complex issues and interrelationship between health and educational achievement
Work plan for 2006-07
Suggestions
Promotion of programmes supporting and encouraging Maori and Pacific students to TEOs
What would be useful for us to progress the work of education team eg contract an external org to scope ed team of RSNZ and what it could be doing
Support of Maori and Pacific teachers of science and technology
Stocktake of s&t teaching population, esp of Maori/Pacific $5,000
Action: Peter Spratt
