Three day GeoCamp with Te Kura o Te Pāroa
A three-day GeoCamp was undertaken in November 2024 with students from Te Kura o Te Pāroa in Whakatane.
A GeoCamp is a hands-on, field-based immersive learning experience designed to challenge kids to 'step into the shoes of a scientist'. Back in the classroom, students combine their observations from field days with further hands-on investigation, and discuss the wider context of their experiments.
Many members of the Raranga Whāriki Papa Moana | Beneath the Waves team contributed to the design and delivery of the GeoCamp. The fun and informative activities combined geological science with tikanga, and mātauranga korero.
Dr. Pouroto Ngaropo provided local pūrākau and kōrero about ngā maunga me ngā puia of the Ngāti Awa rohe.
Educational games were tested and the first copy of the fast-paced, entertaining and educational 5 Minute Volcano game was presented(external link) to Acting Principal of Te Kura O Te Pāroa, Ramia Honatana.
The takeaway from the camp was that both geological science and Mātauranga Māori use careful observation, creativity, and critical thinking to help us create resilience to natural hazards and help us to better understand our natural environment.
