Media Release
Coal face to Chalk face - LEARNZ Programme brings Coal to the Classroom
Secondary students throughout New Zealand studying for NCEA qualifications are being given the chance to visit a coal mine without leaving the classroom.
Heurisko Ltd, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, and the Ministry of Education have combined to bring the highly successful LEARNZ virtual field trip programme to secondary schools. This is the first year that field trips specific to secondary students have been included in the LEARNZ programme. The programme links in with curriculum requirements for science and geography and gives students the chance to "visit" locations such as underground and opencast mines on the West Coast. Students will find out more about the role of coal in New Zealand's energy future through these visits, which are run via the Internet and through on-site audio conferences.
In 2003 seven field trips will look at all aspects of coal production and coal's role as an energy source for industry and in electricity generation. Each field trip will take on a different focus; where coal comes from, how it is recovered, and its role in the economy and environment. The first field trip, 26-28 March, will look at coal recovery, and will be based at Solid Energy's Reefton Mines. Students will have access to online resources to prepare for the experience. An online daily diary, digital video, audio conferences, email and a web board means students can become a part of the "learning adventure".
Donald Reid, former Head of Science at Ellesmere College, is the "virtual" secondary school teacher for the coal field trips. He says it's clear why the programme produces results: "The best learning is where theory and practice come together. LEARNZ virtual field trips provide this, while also giving a relevance and an immediacy that fosters enquiry and excitement in learning."
Solid Energy's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder says: "The LEARNZ virtual field trip programme is at the leading edge of modern education. The coal field trips will encourage students to consider coal as an energy source - a very topical issue at the moment. The scope of the trips, looking at how coal is produced through to how the industry supports local communities, is not only a great educational tool for teachers matching with NCEA requirements, but also shows students the wide variety of careers available in the industry. The virtual aspect of the programme means students will be receiving the message through methods which inspire them to learn. This is a great example of education and industry working together to contribute to the development of New Zealand's knowledge wave."
Ministry of Education Manager Pedagogy and Learning Materials, Alison Dow, says LEARNZ is the only provider of ICT-based services funded via the Ministry of Educations Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) Project.
"The LEARNZ programme transports students to remote and unique learning environments, providing a great opportunity for hands-on, interactive learning experiences which support the curriculum. We are delighted that this programme includes specific support for secondary students learning and links to NCEA assessment."
The LEARNZ programme also offers primary schools a chance to experience virtual field trips with a conservation focus. The primary school programme will include a field trip to look at the work of the Department of Conservation to protect the endangered blue duck (whio), based in Karamea's Oparara Basin. During these field trips, LEARNZ primary teacher Audrie McKenzie will be based in the Oparara Basin, engaging students in all aspects of the whio conservation work. The blue duck was listed as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union last year. There are now only an estimated 2000 - 3000 blue ducks nationally. Solid Energy is a supporter of the Department's blue duck project.
The first coal field trip based at Reefton will be from 26-28 March, and the primary school blue duck field trip will run from 3-6 June.
For further information contact:
Vicki Blyth
Communications Director
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd
03 353 0100
Visit the LEARNZ website on www.learnz.org.nz
Visit the Solid Energy website on www.coalnz.com
Visit the Ministry of Education website on www.minedu.govt.nz
