Observations and reflections from a five month placement with the University of Canterbury School of Earth and Environment, thanks to the Science Teaching Leadership Programme 2025a
Week 8 - # DunnerStunner (AKA dazed and confused down South)
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Hopeful signs for the begging of the course? Actually no, just a caution that rain was on the way...
"Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing" A week of introductions and forging new connections. And administration. So many names and faces to learn, forms to fill, profiles to write. And so many opportunities. Already I can see many, many possibilities for the next five months and beyond. Possibly my greatest challenge will be to restrain myself from trying to grab every conceivable opportunity - and in trying to do everything, do nothing well. Everyone that I have met so far in the University of Canterbury School of Earth and Environment, from post-grad students through to the Head of School, has been really welcoming and enthusiastic.
Everyone's favourite (?) Key Competency , AKA Science Capability 5 - Engage with science The participating and contributing strand Te ao Māori lens - encouraging students to 'do stuff' with their knowledge also incorporates risks - there are many examples of the negative/ exploitative use of 'Western Science', particularly in colonial contexts. Many hold the view that by dealing purely in objective facts Science and scientists should not get involved in 'political/ sociological issues'. We would do well to be more mindful of a more holistic, Te ao Māori view - the 'amoral, above ethical constraints' version of 'Science' can easily become immoral and used to do harm. Classroom Teaching lens - Students are more likely to engage with, and hence retain and 'achieve', learning where they can clearly see its relevance. It is also empowering for students to see that not only do their actions have consequences, but that they can apply sci...
"It's a very intensive week" they said. They did not lie! My first thoughts regarding any learnings about myself as a leader are that there were no major surprises. I am given to a fair degree of introspection at the best (and worst) of times! I have completed MBTI tests in the past, although interestingly I seem to have shifted from INTJ to INTP - of course true MBT believers would say that you don't really change type, so the apparent change is more due to the fact that I have several traits that are VERY strongly 'out of type' - but then "not wanting to fit into other people's categories" seems pretty typical for an INTP personality, so I guess I can live with it. I did have to chuckle when I searched online for information on MBTI tests and one of the top results was a site discussing whether MBTI or astrology were more reliable... On "Character Strengths" tests I usually show "honesty" and "appreciation of beauty...
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