Spotlight Tui 2025 Term 2

The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy for Tui class with a big focus on science!  They have been working as budding engineers as part of an exciting STEM based project called The Wonder Project Rocket Challenge. The students were introduced to the engineering design process and challenged to work as a team to learn the skills to build and improve an efficient and aerodynamic rocket.  We have been extremely lucky to have an awesome Wonder Project ambassador, Scott Cairney from GHD who has been sharing his knowledge and skills with us and encouraging the students to think like engineers; to ask, imagine, create and improve.  We’ve already had some epic prototype launches and are currently in the process of improving the initial designs for the final ‘blast off’ later in the week!

Alongside our rocket fun, the students are also busy working on their action projects as part of their Mountains to Seas learning.  After comparing both a local freshwater and marine habitat to the pristine environments of Goat Island, the students have been inspired to think of their own initiatives to help our local freshwater and marine communities.  From composing raps and creating ‘Kahoots’ to educate others about the importance of looking after our environment, to designing drain art and campaigning for a school water tank -Tui classroom has been a hive of activity!  Due to the weather, we have unfortunately been unable to get back out into the community to do some facilitated action tasks with our wonderful Mountains to Seas educators. However, last Wednesday, they came and explained the pest control programmes that they have running and demonstrated how to do a Marine Metre Squared survey, which students are encouraged to do as a way of contributing to collecting meaningful, valid data about their local seashore.