Community organisations awarded $2 million in education contracts

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has awarded 26 organisations across New Zealand with $2 million in education contracts to provide schools with learning experiences outside the classroom.

 “The Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom initiative complements the local curriculum and supports around 500,000 students each year to participate in learning activities at zoos, museums, historic parks, art galleries, outdoor education facilities, performing arts, and virtual learning experiences,” Mr Hipkins says.

“These kind of learning experiences increase students’ awareness of their community and give them hugely valuable experiences that can’t be recreated in the classroom.

 “This initiative provides opportunities for schools to work with the community to provide unique and interactive educational opportunities and for students to further develop life skills such as collaboration, communication and problem solving,” Mr Hipkins says.

 The 26 community organisations will provide experiences covering maths, science and technology for a three-year contract period. They are in addition to another 46 ongoing contracts covering arts, health and physical education awarded in 2015 and social sciences and languages awarded in 2016.

 The total annual amount of funding for the initiative across the curriculum is $4.9 million.

 More information is available at: http://eotc.tki.org.nz/LEOTC-home

The following providers were successful in the latest Science, Mathematics and Technology Education tender round:

National

CORE Education – LEARNS Multiple Partner Virtual Field Trips

National Science Roadshow

Auckland

Stardome – Auckland Observatory & Planetarium

Auckland Zoo

Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo

Tauranga City Council – Learning Through Discovery

Canterbury

Christchurch City Council

Department of Conservation, Aoraki District Office

EOS Ecology

Ferrymead Heritage Park

Orana Wildlife Park

Science Alive Centre

Hawkes Bay/Gisborne

National Aquarium of New Zealand

Nga Mahi Te Taiao

Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast

University of Otago – NZ Marine Studies Centre – Nelson Region

Otago Southland

University of Otago – NZ Marine Studies Centre – Dunedin

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Royal Albatross Centre

Tāi Tokerau

Whangarei Museum & Kiwi House

Taranaki, Manawatu and Whanganui

National Army Museum Te Mata Toa

Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre

Rotokare Scenic Reserve (Taranaki region only)

Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History (Manawatu and Whanganui regions only)

Wellington

Space Place at Carter Observatory

Island Bay Marine Education Centre

Wellington Gardens – Wellington City Council

Wellington Zoo