STEM opportunities abound at Ōpōtiki College next year with support from Trust Horizon

Next year will be one of STEM for Ōpōtiki College’s science department, with a new hands-on engineering course made possible with a $19,872 grant from Trust Horizon.

The initiative will provide students with practical activities to make science more engaging and interactive, with the goal of increasing attendance and building interest in science-based career and study pathways.

Research indicates that hands-on, project-based learning helps drive motivation and improve educational outcomes.

In her decade with the teaching profession, Annie Spooner – head of science at Ōpōtiki College – has certainly found this to be true.

“We want the kids to build a positive perception of STEM, and that’s not always easy to get just from reading a textbook,” she said.

“Concepts like measurement, physics, and coding are all best learned by doing.”

This insight led Ms Spooner to create a new Level 1 Engineering course, providing year 11 numeracy learning through hands-on projects such as mBots, motors, and drones. By building the technology themselves, students would develop skills in block coding, programming, measurement, algebra, and physics.

The course Ms Spooner envisaged would require expensive specialist robotics kits.

To help cover the cost, she applied to Trust Horizon for funding. With the help of a $19,872 grant, 30 kits are now ordered and on their way.

The grant is also contributing to a range of other supplies and resources to replace those lost when the maths and science department building was demolished in 2023.

With an estimated 80 percent of future jobs in New Zealand involving STEM, the course aligns closely with Trust Horizon’s priority of work-ready rangatahi.

“A solid grounding in the sciences will be vital for the local workforce of tomorrow, particularly given our region’s thriving aquaculture and energy sectors,” said Trust Horizon trustee Kevin Hennessy.

“The trust was pleased to support a hands-on and practical initiative that sparks interest in such an important field.”

Eighteen year 11 students – more than a quarter of the year group – have signed up for next year’s course. Senior student interest has also led Ms Spooner to offer the course as an extra-curricular for the year 12 and 13s.

“This is a really big opportunity for us, and we’re so grateful to be able to give the kids something they wouldn’t have otherwise had,” said Ms Spooner.

“Thank you for helping turn this idea into a reality. We couldn’t have done it without Trust Horizon’s support.”