Blogging

I have not used this blog for ages as I am into FB right now. The one for my course Corers 11 is great for messages and sharing what I have been doing at Scion. I have done my Mid Fellowship report and I am quite happy with that BUt I am struggling with my assignment -I am not sure what it is but I just cant get it to come together . Its about comparing 2 models of leadership and how they will help me to become an inspiring leader and how to energise commitment at work. Then I have to look at 360 degree assessment in relation to the model. I am not leaving the house until I have at least written the first draft!

Fellowship

Since I have been to Auckland it has made me think a lot more about The Nature of Science. Also when I have been out in the field I have been asking the scientists why science. All have said 2 common things- science was something they were interested in at an early age (and because I am in the bug department most said collecting insects etc)but also things like mixing things etc and the second thing was that their parents supported their interests with things like:
taking them places
family activities like diving
presents (like bug catchers) that encouraged their interests
This is an aspect of science that I want to share with the staff. How can we get our whanau involved like this (and at the same time how can we find out our parents interests and skills and tap into that).
I cant get onto my photos here so I will do my blogging at home

Maori and Science

I watched WakaHuia on TV this morning and saw this programme about Wiremu Tawhai from TeKaha way. He passed away late 2010. He talked a bit about Maori and Science. It was an AHA moment for me. I now know that if want our Maori pupils (and their whanau) to be truly involved in science we have to truly involve their traditions. Why cant we do it (even simply )at school.
How could we work Te Arawatanga, science (even environmental things) by teaching in a more traditional way- bringing old wise people in, teaching kids (and teachers) about things Maori that are really about science.

Fellowship on line bookings

Boy am I struggling with booking flights and accomodation on line for my Fellowship stuff. I mucked up my Auckland one and instead of a simple flight with pick ups to Auckland I have to drive up and find everything myself. Luckily John said I can go up on Sunday and I used google maps to get directions.I didnt realise that if the cheaper flights have gone we can book the dearer ones. I had a cell phone call from John the other day and let him know I am struggling with the on line stuff.

Apart from this, I am really enjoying my Fellowship work. This past week I have really had fun being busy. I have liked going out with Amy and Phil from South Africa - I like it when I know what I am doing. Time for a Scion photo

Fellowship

Assembling the Sirex traps with Amy from South Africa

Fellowship

For the past 2 days I have been helping 2 scientists from South Africa assemble and set up traps to catch the Sirex . It is a wasp and when they get them they will dissect the wasp to look for a parasoid worm. The Sirex is damaging their pines. The scientists names are Amy - a Masters student in genetics and Phil who has a .PHD so he's DR. Stephanie from Scion gave me some information to read about Sirex and John showed me one in the HUGE insect collection.

Fellowship

A day of meetings and connections.Meetings
1: An interview and photo with Simone who produces intra newsletter.
2: Science in The Park. Each section has an area for display and hands on. I am involved in making bugs from recycling material. I have tasks.
3: I.T. orientation
Scion has good orientations

ConnectionsTomorrow I am going out in the field with the South African Scientists.Setting up traps to catch sirex (a wood wasp) and the connection was that as well as Stephanie giving me a paper to read, John took me into the insect collection and I saw real ones. He is really knowledgeable and pssionate (in a good way) about insects.

I am learning about the insect classification system to give me background to the simple one I will do later. Photo of cleopus (from a book so I could get a real good image- from Annual Report)

I recorded what I had already seen, experienced at Scion already and I could do it under the Key Competencies. I will do that later.

Did you know that 2011 is The Year of Forests- withits theme "Forests for People". Andrew said he has some work to do with it. I googled it to get some background.

Last thing on news just on it said that Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing will be made into a new super ministry called Ministry of Primary Industries. As it was announced by the PM as a cost cutting so I wonder what this will mean at Scion.