LENScience
Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project
About PSHLP
Based in Tonga and the Cook Islands, this project is developing a school-science-community partnership model to support young people in gaining science and health literacy capabilities. It recognizes the potential offered by young people as change agents to support well-being in their communities.
The project is supporting development of culturally adapted partnership models in Tonga and the Cook Islands. Lead teachers and health professionals in each country will work with the Liggins Institute to build school-based programmes enabling young people to explore societal challenges such as obesity, food security, and noncommunicable diseases including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Three interwoven threads of development will support the project:
- education leadership capability building;
- practising teacher capability building;
- adolescent capability building.
Together these offer potential for improved social and economic wellbeing in participating communities.
PSHLP sits within the Healthy Start to Life Education for Adolescents Project.
To keep up-to-date with the project, check our Facebook Page
The Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project is funded by a grant from the NZAid Partnership Fund.
The Project
-
The Partnership
The partners are educators, scientists and health professionals from Cook Islands, Tonga & New Zealand.
-
Pre-Feasibility Study
A joint study conducted in 2012 led to the development of the project plan.
-
Pacific Partnership Project Newsletters
Read the latest project newsletter.
-
Community Consultations
PSHLP community consultation summaries.
-
Evaluation and Research
Information for participating schools, students, parents and communities about how and why the Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project is being evaluated.
-
Healthy Start to Life Education for Adolescents Project
Learning experiences that engage students in exploration of socioscientific issues linked to health and wellbeing.
Project Learning Modules
-
Kai no te Oraanga Meitaki
Ko Au e Toku Aorangi: Kai no te Oraanga Meitaki. Exploring the importance of nutrition for wellbeing in the Cook Islands
-
Te Maki Toto Vene (T2): E Manamanata no Toku Iti Tangata
Resources supporting exploration of type 2 diabetes as a socio-scientific issue
-
COVID-19
Resources supporting teachers to facilitate learning that explores the COVID-19 pandemic
Learning and Teaching Strategies
-
Context-Embedded Learning
Learning centred on exploration of a socio-scientific context. Supporting capability development across the curriculum.
-
Youth Conferences
Hands-on conferences enable students to engage with professionals and community leaders exploring SSIs.
-
Data Loggers
Hands-on learning using technology to collect, analyse and interpret, scientific data
-
Asking Questions in a Tongan Science Classroom
Action research investigating opportunities to increase questioning | Supporting science and health literacy
-
Integrating Health Checks into Learning
Information for teachers about the integration of health checks into learning and teaching programmes.
-
Classroom Posters
Using classroom wall space to support visual learners
Contexts: Health-linked Socioscientific Issues
-
The Non-Communicable Disease Epidemic
NCDs impact all communities, presenting a socioscientific issue of relevance to young people globally.
