This report comes from an exploratory project looking at professional learning and development for primary science teachers.
In recent years there has been increased interest in science in New Zealand for social and economic reasons. However, there has been concern that the primary school system is not preparing students as well as it could in science. Recent research suggests that many primary teachers do not feel confident about either teaching science or being able to access the support they need.
This project takes a systems approach to thinking about the provision of primary science professional learning and development (PLD). It seeks to determine who the players are in the primary science PLD system, the roles they play, and the extent to which they are interconnected.
It was funded by NZCER's Government Grant with the Ministry of Education.