Registrations open for the 2025 MWC Teacher Professional Development days!

Registrations open for the 2025 MWC Teacher Professional Development days!

In association with BEANZ, the Maurice Wilkins Centre is excited to announce the return of the Maurice Wilkins Centre (MWC) biology teacher professional development days for 2025!

These PD days are free to attend and will be filled with valuable learning opportunities. Our workshops feature some of New Zealand's leading scientists who will present up-to-date information tailored to the national curriculum. Their stories, knowledge, and PowerPoint resources will not only inspire us as learners but also enhance our teaching.

Who?

We are thrilled with this year’s lineup of speakers, all eager to meet you and share their insights. Our speakers include:

• Prof Dave Grattan (University of Otago): Is understanding biology important to discover new medicines? The "Ozempic" example!
• Prof Greg Anderson (University of Otago): Sterilization of pests for native bird conservation
• Prof Emily Parker (Victoria University of Wellington): Synthetic Biology - what on earth is it?
• Prof Mark Hampton (University of Otago): The Breath of Life: Turning Food into Energy
• Emma Voss (Livestock Improvement Corporation): Unravelling Antibiotic Resistance
•  

What?

The standards that best align with these talks include:

• L1 Science (91920, 92020, 92022)
• L2 Biology (91156, 91159)
• L3 Biology (91602, 91604, 91607)
•  

However, as educators, you are welcome to use the information and stories in any context that suits your teaching. 

Where?

We extend our gratitude to the schools hosting us this year. 

This year, we will be visiting the following locations:

• Taupō, 3 November, at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College
• Tauranga, 4 November, at Tauranga Yacht Club
• Auckland, 5 November, at St Cuthbert's College
• Queenstown, 10 November, at Wakatipu High School
• Timaru, 11 November, at Craighead Diocesan School
•  

How?

1. Register your attendance using this form: https://forms.office.com/r/NFh9mVe3RF
2. Apply to your professional development committee at school.
3. You can also apply for PPTA funding: https://www.ppta.org.nz/forms/subject-association-grants-pre-approval-form/ 
4. For any questions about the days, please email Rachel Heeney (who is helping us plan and run these events) at rheeney@eggs.school.nz or maurice-wilkins-centre@auckland.ac.nz.

See the attached poster.