2 December 2024

The Faculty of Science held a staff webinar on Monday 2 December. The webinar purpose was twofold. First, was to provide Faculty of Science staff insight into the WTRSCI pilot. Second, the webinar offered an opportunity for staff to reflect on how they might connect to the pedagogy, curriculum and/or skills in WTRSCI 100, potentially scaffolding from the first-year core course in their Stage 2 and 3 teaching (where relevant and appropriate).

Please note:

The webinar was presented to a Faculty of Science staff audience rather than students.
Links to the student-facing information can be found under Additional Information below.

Webinar speakers and recordings

Each of the webinar presentations is available to University of Auckland staff through the embedded links below.

Mihi whakatau and Meaning of Waipapa Taumata Rau – Presenter: Jade Le Grice
WTRSCI 100: Setting a strong foundation for student success - Presenter: Sarah Young
WTRSCI 100 learning design: A course overview - Presenter: Kaitlin Beare
WTRSCI 100 curriculum: Knowledge of place and sustainability- Presenter: Karen Fisher
WTRSCI 100 curriculum: Knowledge systems and ethics - Presenter: Emily Parke
WTRSCI 100 studio experience: Staff and student perspectives - Presenter: Jenn Jury
Essential skills in WTRSCI 100 - Presenters: Evie Southwell and Liz Sowden
Where to from here? Further information about WTRSCI 100 - Presenter: Kaitlin Beare
Karakia whakamutunga - Presenter: Jade Le Grice

MC – Mel Wall

Context

Each faculty-specific Waipapa Taumata Rau (WTR) core course is a 15-point requirement for all undergraduate students in their first year of study. It will replace the current 15-point General Education requirement.

Each WTR core course provides a foundational understanding of knowledge systems relevant to that faculty and the significance of place-based knowledge including Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It delivers essential skills and capabilities such as communication and collaborative skills and critical and ethical thinking to ensure success as students transition into university, move through their degree(s), and enter the workplace.

WTRSCI 100 - Waipapa Taumata Rau: Contemporary Science in Aotearoa New Zealand will be the faculty WTR core course. WTRSCI 100 was piloted in S2 2024 as a general education course. It was developed by teaching and subject matter experts, drawing on further expertise from across the faculty and beyond. WTRSCI delivers three key components:

Core knowledge: A foundational curriculum anchoring core knowledge for our faculty. Delivers on components of the revised Graduate Profile such as ethics, knowledge of place (including Te Tiriti o Waitangi), knowledge systems and sustainability.
Essential skills: Students will learn critical and ethical thinking, effective communication, the ability to work well with others alongside others. The essential skills are designed to support student success and lifelong learning.
Pedagogical shifts: Curriculum is delivered online, with the on-campus learning in studios and labs. WTRSCI delivers all three of the signature pedagogical practices.

The Faculty of Science views the following as measures of success for WTRSCI 100 (recognising some go beyond WTRSCI and will take time to realise all):

A greater understanding of the breadth and complexities of science, including the value of science engaging with other knowledge systems
An improved student learning experience in first year including greater cohort-build and an increased sense of student belonging
Shifting pedagogical norms to a blended approach combining online and on-campus learning
Increased student preparedness. Building skills to support student success
A connected learning experience. Opportunities for students to scaffold from WTRSCI
• Improving student outcomes, especially progression and retention rates:
- Faculty Stage 1 average pass rate is 84% and completion rate is 82%. The WTRSCI pilot achieved a 95.6% pass rate.

Student Feedback on the WTRSCI pilot: Qualtrics evaluation

Additional Information

Request Canvas access to the pilot

Faculty of Science staff can request permission to be added to the Canvas course for the WTRSCI 100 pilot by completing this form.
Please note this you will be added to the pilot version of the course and some elements are being changed for Semester 1, 2025.

Student-facing Information