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NZSMT Teacher Fellows
In the last issue of Water & Atmosphere we met Christchurch teacher Dave Ward. This time we hear from Andrea Shaw, from Wellington College, who has been working this year with staff at NIWA as part of the Royal Society’s New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowship scheme.
After 11 years in the classroom teaching science and biology to teenage boys, Andrea was keen to refresh and recharge her science knowledge and skills. She has been working with the biotechnology team under the guidance of Drs Peter Smith, Vicky Webb, and Els Maas.
Andrea’s passion for all things underwater extends to interests in underwater photography, scuba diving, and sharks. With the biotechnology team she has been analysing shark DNA from a variety of different species from around New Zealand. For this work, Andrea has had to learn various laboratory skills, such as following DNA extraction protocols, and using gel electrophoresis equipment and PCR machines.
Andrea has also been involved in the search for useful marine bacteria. She’s helped collect samples from Makara Beach and has isolated more than 140 marine bacteria colonies. She’s investigated the biochemistry of these bacteria using a plate reader, which reads the growth of the bacteria over time, and has put them through a series of tests to check for the presence of compounds that kill cells or inhibit cell growth. These could be useful in the production of anti–cancer drugs.
Other tasks this year have included analysing samples of Antarctic bacteria and helping to survey Wellington marinas for the invasive sea squirt Styela clava. She’s learned how to store biological samples and the aseptic techniques used in a PC2 laboratory.
In August, Andrea attempted the physical and mental rigours of NIWA’s week-long Scientific Diver training course in Rotorua to increase her skills in several areas of diving. This prepared her for a week’s participation in reef shark research in the Coral Sea, off the Queensland coast.
Andrea feels she has tried to make the most of the fantastic opportunity awarded to her this year and is thankful for the support of the staff at NIWA, the Royal Society of New Zealand, funding from MoRST, and encouragement and moral support from Wellington College.
For further information, contact: Dr Julie Hall, 0-7-856 1709, [email protected]
Andrea has also contributed this year to Water & Atmosphere. She’s applied her teaching knowledge to link the articles with NCEA achievement and unit standards. You’ll see this work in Curriculum Connections.
Training at NIWA
Each year, NIWA staff teach a number of courses over a wide range of subjects. The courses are particularly geared to meet the needs of council and other agency staff. Some of the courses are held at NIWA and others are staged as in-house training at an agency’s premises.
Listed here are the courses we’ll be running over the next quarter. There are still places available but, as always, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Identification of wetland sedges and rushes 14–15 February, Hamilton
Water chemistry for data collection staff 20 February, Hamilton
Hydrology of ungauged catchments February, Christchurch (see website for dates)
Managing coastal hazards 2 days in March, Hamilton (see website for dates)
Taxonomy and monitoring of estuarine invertebrates 12–13 March, Hamilton
Hydrology data collection operations 4 days in March, Christchurch (see website for dates)
Electric fishing machine operators 17–18 April, Christchurch
For further information on courses, see: www.niwa.co.nz/edu/training or contact Donna McArthur, 0-7-859 1842, [email protected]