KAUPAPA
Connecting Science Educators
Think globally. Act locally
The Bay Science Kaupapa
At Bay Science, we understand that the purpose of science education is to empower all ākonga to make informed personal decisions and participate critically in democracy, while also building the science competencies, values, knowledge, and relational skills needed for Aotearoa New Zealand’s future in the Anthropocene.
To realise this purpose for all citizens, including those who will go on to become future scientists, we recognise that science education is a shared responsibility that must be inclusive, relational, and grounded in contexts relevant to tangata whenua, tangata Tiriti, and our shared place in the wider world. Read more.
Guided by this understanding, Bay Science’s objectives are to:
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Connect science educators and local organisations to create and share opportunities where ākonga, whānau, and kaiako can engage in meaningful science experiences.
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Communicate and collaborate with a wide range of organisations and networks across the rohe and motu — including community groups, education associations, and national agencies — to support inclusive learning opportunities for ākonga, kaiako, and the wider community, and to ensure kaiako voices are represented in national conversations related to curriculum refresh and NCEA.
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Celebrate the achievements of ākonga, and the initiatives of kaiako, organisations, and individuals that support rangatahi, by providing a platform to share success stories and whakaaro.
E ū ana mātou ki Te Tiriti | Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Bay Science is committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our work. We honour te reo Māori, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori, and we recognise the importance of Māori leadership, knowledge, and partnership within science education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As tangata Tiriti, we acknowledge that this is ongoing learning. We will not always get this right. When we are unsure, we are committed to asking questions, listening carefully, and seeking guidance. We humbly welcome constructive critique as part of refining our practice.
"Serving 210 science teachers and educators from over 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