Computer Science Grants Awarded to New Zealand Educators
Now, more than ever, it’s important that we support Kiwi teachers and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed. Understanding, creating and using technology are critical skills for all students and teachers, regardless of where in New Zealand they live. This year, our annual CS Educator PD Grants program is focused on bringing access to Digital Technologies training to teachers in our regional and remote communities and to those that might otherwise have missed out on such opportunities.
Google’s Educator PD Grants program has been running in New Zealand since 2011 and, in that time, has trained over 20,000 teachers. The program aims to equip teachers through practical professional development workshops, giving them the skills and resources they need to confidently teach computational thinking and computer science concepts in new and exciting ways. This year all funded workshops have a focus on access and inclusion, aligning with Google’s global diversity commitment.
The impact of PD Grants for Educators
We don’t historically think of museums as being centres for technology and teacher training, but Tara Fagan at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington is leading a team focused on bringing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) to five rural regions of New Zealand.
Alongside other museums, the Te Papa team will run two day workshops, weaving STEAM based learning through the curriculum, delivered in both Te Reo Māori and English. Tara explained that these workshops “provide us with the opportunity to work with teachers who may have not accessed any form of Digital Technology Professional Learning & Development before”.
The in depth workshops will be bespoke to Northland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Porirua, allowing teachers hands on experience with STEAM tools and resources and the support to incorporate their learnings in the classroom between workshops. The partnerships with local museums ensures that schools and teachers have ongoing local networks and support.
We’re excited to announce the following 2020 CS Educator Grants Awardees, who, like Tara, will motivate and inspire educators around New Zealand.
2020 CS Educator Grants Funding Recipients in New Zealand
