A group of Bay of Plenty science enthusiasts are joining forces to tackle poor student achievement levels with a new science education centre.

After 15 years as a secondary school science teacher, Chris Duggan has seen how low levels of science education at primary school stifle achievement.

House of Science director Chris Duggan, with aspiring Otumoetai Intermediate School scientists Jack Crowe, Fushia Kent-Ward, Jerramiah Hay, Makaylah Rae-Potene, Manaaki Mason-Lowe and Maia Tukaokao-Peckham. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

As result, she's heading the new House of Science, which aims to address this and foster an interest in the subject in the Western Bay.

The House of Science director's aim is to get more students excited by science in the early years so they will be inspired to carry on with their studies through secondary and into tertiary education.

'Science is an incredibly exciting and important subject and it's alarming to see so many students lose interest in it at such a young age. I want to help connect schools, tertiary institutions and industry so we can all make science more accessible, fun and engaging for kids.”

Employment and business opportunities are forecast to grow rapidly in science-related fields, but Chris says improving science achievement is critical to capitalise on this.

'There's been a growing need I've been aware of for some time now. Teachers in primary schools are not doing as much, or as good at, science as they should be. The science in primary schools needs better resourcing and the teachers need better confidence.”

A random survey Chris did at the Tauranga Careers Expo in August found many had become disengaged with science before they even entered secondary school.

'New Zealand needs more scientists and people working in science-related fields, so it is imperative we find ways to improve this situation.”

Tauranga Girls' College principal and House of Science board chair, Pauline Cowens, applauded Chris' move to build a depth of science knowledge and science engagement in the community, saying she believes within five to 10 years it will spur many more young people into tertiary science education and industry.

Statistics show New Zealand is in the bottom half of OECD countries for science at Year 5 level – and the level of achievement has been dropping for 10 years.

House of Science, officially launched this week, will start providing support for teachers and after-school and holiday programmes for pupils in February. It will also offer a library of science resources and develop links between the science community and schools.

The centre, based at the Coastal Marine Field Station at Sulphur Point, aims to increase engagement with science 'by demonstrating the value, excitement and relevance of the discipline and its role in sustainability and wealth creation”.

It is relying on grants initially – with key support from the Waikato University and Priority One, along with science-related businesses in the region. But it aims to be eventually self-funding. Support from schools is already strong, with 80 per cent committing to becoming members of the centre.

Otumoetai Intermediate School deputy principal Lynne Hutchinson says the centre complements Ministry of Education support, and helps bring the field of science alive.