In March 2026, I had the idea to use our STEM lessons as a way to work across different curriculum areas. Our Term 1 Social Sciences programme was looking at identity and belonging. We also wanted to frontload some of the knowledge around Matariki. This was an opportinity to bring in some learning for all of our ākonga across the kura. So I made contact with the National Library of NZ - He Tohu Tāmaki and it was a pleasure to host Senior Education Specialist, Tereora Crane to run this amazing cross curricular STEM experience at our kura.
The primary purpose of the workshop is to allow young people to learn about the history of the development of the waka and how the technology of building waka has developed in the Pacific region over a few thousands years. This activity allows our students to further explore how different elements of STEM can be incorporated into their learning. One of the main aims of the project was to ensure the materials used to make the waka were from a sustainable source. As a result, the waka was designed and developed using amongst many other materials, discarded fishing nets and a double hull that was 3D printed from around one thousand recycled plastic soft drink bottles.
Our ākonga also learned how Māori and Pacific peoples intentionally used their knowledge and navigational expertise to sail their amazing waka across one-third of the earth’s surface and successfully settle every inhabitable island. As part of the workshop, they also took part in an exercise of how the captains of the waka navigated their way across the seas using the stars.
Overall, it was a great experience for us at school to provide this extended learning to our whole school. The buzz after each class was something that was priceless. I will certainly be looking to do some thing similar next year!
Posted: Monday 23 March 2026