KAUPAPA
Connecting Science Educators
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Kaupapa
Science education is a team effort - shaped by whānau, peers, kaiako, and the many organisations working in our rohe. Bay Science is the hub where we recognise and celebrate all of those unique teams in the Bay of Plenty, while also recognising we are connected by shared goals and aspirations.
Our objectives are to:
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Connect science educators with local organisations to create and find opportunities where ākonga, whānau and kaiako can engage with science experiences.
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Communicate with external organisations such as the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, regional and national teacher association contacts, and various educator organisations to seek a range of inclusive professional learning opportunities and to work towards ways for our kaiako to be involved in national conversations related to the curriculum refresh and NCEA.
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Celebrate the achievements of ākonga, and initiatives by kaiako/organisations who are passionate about supporting rangatahi, by providing a platform to showcase their success stories and whakaaro.
"Serving 195 science teachers and educators from 80 schools and organisations"
People
Bay Science is currently supported by a team of volunteers, all of whom are full-time kaiako.
Bay Science Co-Directors
Lian Soh
Lian is Co-Director of Bay Science, where he manages communications, oversees web development, and curates content. He organises events, writes regular bulletins and spotlight articles, often working closely with kaiako to share local stories that inspire and support science education across the Bay of Plenty.
Outside of Bay Science, Lian is a chemistry teacher in Pāpāmoa and regional representative at the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE), Secondary Chemistry Educators NZ (SCENZ) and Empower Kaiako for Equity Aotearoa (Empower KEA)
Contact: info@bayscience.nz
Vicki Wallace
Vicki is Co-Director of Bay Science, where she leads the Scientist Highlight series, profiling local researchers to highlight their relevance to classroom learning. In addition to content curation, she helps identify events and initiatives that rangatahi and kaiako can support or get involved in, strengthening connections between science, schools, and the wider Bay of Plenty community.
Beyond Bay Science, Vicki is a biology teacher in Mount Maunganui who also supports the region as the local representative for the Biology Educators of Aotearoa NZ (BEANZ) national subject association.
Contact: vicki@bayscience.nz
Contributing Kaiako
Our kaiako volunteers play a vital role in keeping Bay Science connected to the pulse of science education across Aotearoa. By sharing news, events, and happenings from their networks, they help ensure our content stays timely, relevant, and grounded in what matters most to educators and ākonga. Their contributions strengthen our collective efforts to grow science education in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.
Whaea Tania Jackson
Whaea Tania is a languages teacher who is fluent in both Te Reo Māori and Japanese. She also has a professional background in science and teaches intermediate science in Pāpāmoa. Whaea Tania supports local kaiako by sharing her understanding of knowledge systems, as well as through her role at Te Kīkini o te Rehutai, Tauranga Moana Māori Teacher's Association.
Contact: tjackson@katikaticollege.school.nz
Jim Critchley
Jim is a teacher of Earth and Space Science in Mount Maunganui. He is also highly connected to various science-related organisations and scientists in Aotearoa. Jim supports local kaiako through his role as a representative for Earth and Space Science Educators NZ.
Contact: jimc@mmc.school.nz
Mat Synge
Mat is a physics teacher in the Tauranga region. He is actively involved at the education arm of the New Zealand Institute of Physics (NZIP) where he supports local kaiako as a regional representative.
Contact: msynge@aquinas.school.nz
Thea DePetris
Thea is leading the New Zealand Association of Environmental Educator's (NZAEE) new local group in and around the Rotorua region.
Contact: thea@nzaee.org.nz