Schools Invited to Help Design International Algae Science Resources

Schools in Aotearoa have been invited to take part in an international programme helping design new science learning resources focused on algae. The initiative will bring together schools and researchers to co-create classroom activities that explore algae through science, environmental education, art, and food.

The EU4Algae Schools Toolkit co-creation programme is inviting schools to help develop and test new educational materials designed to introduce children aged 3–15 to the science and potential of algae.

The initiative is part of EU4Algae, a European Commission-led network launched in 2022 to support the development of sustainable algae-based solutions across sectors such as food, materials, environmental services and biotechnology.

Selected schools will work with the EU4Algae team to co-design, trial and refine resources that could eventually be used internationally in schools.

What participating schools receive

Participating schools will gain access to a range of resources, including:

• A teachers’ handbook with scientific background and classroom ideas

• Algae-based recipes and food exploration activities

• Art activities, including algae-based paints and inks

• Printable classroom materials

• Online educational resources

     Curriculum connections

Algae connects naturally to several areas of the draft science learning area, including:

• Year 1: recognising different forms of plants, including seaweeds and algae

• Year 7: understanding photosynthesis and how organisms produce energy

• Year 5–9: ecosystems, food chains, biodiversity, and interdependence

• Year 9–10: ecosystem disruption, ecological data, and environmental solutions

These contexts also create opportunities to explore sustainability, food systems, biotechnology and marine ecosystems.

Register Here by March 16th!

Under the "more information" section, we suggest including something along the following lines in the hopes that this might enable our science education community to connect:

'There is interest in New Zealand schools who are selected to support each other in our contributions to EU4Algae, strengthening our collective contribution. This would involve connecting with education research Dr Cathy Buntting (University of Waikato) and algae researchers at the University of Waikato.'