<h2><span data-contrast="auto">“Without the kits [from House of Science Wairarapa], I don’t think I would be teaching science to the level that I can, because I simply do not have the resources,” says Pirinoa School Senior Teacher Natalie Lagah. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Pirinoa School is a rural school with a total roll of 44 students this year, located in South Wairarapa. For the past few years, they have been benefiting from ready-made science kits delivered by local charity House of Science Wairarapa. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read the Term 3 edition of <em>School News</em> HERE</strong></a></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Lagah was one of the first to sign up for science kits when House of Science Wairarapa was founded in 2019. The organisation provides schools with ready-to-go science kits on topics such as water chemistry, pressure and electricity. Inside each kit are all the resources teachers need to deliver a comprehensive science lesson on a given topic to their class. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">House of Science Wairarapa was founded four years ago by then-new-mum Amanda Taylor. While on parental leave, Taylor heard House of Science founder Chris Duggan over the radio. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_27162" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27162" style="width: 2560px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-full wp-image-27162" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kid-water-test-HOS-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27162" class="wp-caption-text">A student uses tests water using kits from HOS Wairarapa. Image: ANZ Media.</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“She was disillusioned with kids coming through from primary school saying they couldn&#8217;t do science, had never done science, and why would they pick it up at high school,” said Taylor. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Duggan then founded House of Science NZ, which provides resources to Primary school teachers – allowing them to teach science effectively without increasing demands placed on them. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Duggan’s story inspired Taylor to start the Wairarapa branch. A science-lover herself, with a PhD in Molecular Medicine, Taylor wanted her own children to have access to science teaching when they started school. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_27163" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27163" style="width: 2560px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-full wp-image-27163" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/teacherHOS-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27163" class="wp-caption-text">Teacher Natalie Lagah presents to her class. Image: ANZ Media.</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Since its inception, demand for the charity’s services has grown and they now provide kits to over 90 percent of schools in the region. Now, House of Science Wairarapa is in South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton and Tararua.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Schools who sign on pay a nominal membership fee. Taylor says it only covers around 10 percent of the charity’s costs, with the rest of the funding provided by organisations like Lottery Community, local trusts and councils. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When they first started, Taylor says they were packing the science kits on their dining room table. But that hard work is paying off. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-27132-1" width="1220" height="686" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/house_of_science_-_subtitled_no_end_frame-1080p.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/house_of_science_-_subtitled_no_end_frame-1080p.mp4">https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/house_of_science_-_subtitled_no_end_frame-1080p.mp4</a></video></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Natalie Lagah says Pirinoa students are really engaged in science learning, and emphasises the value of science teaching in a region like the Wairarapa. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We’ve got a lake really close by, we’ve got the rivers and streams really close by – so there’s so many <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/2015/10/developing-opportunities-at-school-with-a-view/" title="opportunities" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" target="_blank">opportunities</a> right on our doorstep for us to do science in a very meaningful way,” says Lagah. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In the future, House of Science Wairarapa says they will continue to expand, seeking more sponsorship and volunteers. Taylor says they’ll be looking for a transportation van in future, as kits are currently being delivered using volunteers’ own transport. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For rural kids and parents looking to get into science, Taylor says: </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“You don’t necessarily have to be the brightest kid in the world to do science – you just have to be really curious, and really like getting in there and asking questions, and be able to keep going when things don’t work.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Every little kid is curious, and if we can keep them asking questions, then it’s only going to be better for them.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For more about House of Science, and to find a local branch near you, visit their website at </span><a href="https://houseofscience.nz/" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">https://houseofscience.nz/</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>

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