A group of 10 students from Wairarapa's Puāwai Pūrau Academy recently visited our hospital to learn about the important role of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the health sector.
Welcomed by our Māori Health Directorate and some members of the Senior Leadership Team with whakatau, waiata and kai, the Year 9 – 13 rangatahi (from Makoura College, Wairarapa College and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori), participated in a Q&A session with hospital leaders, learnt about the growth of digitisation, technology and innovation in the health sector, and visited the imaging department and one of the operating theatres.
Waireka Collings, founder of the academy said, "according to research you can only be what you can see, and we want these ākonga to see that they can be anything, the more opportunities we can expose them to, the better.
"It's really important rangatahi get out into the community to see where STEM can take them. Visiting the hospital, asking questions and hearing directly from people in the industry helps them to expand their view of what is possible for them beyond school."
Janeen Cross, Māori Health Coordinator, is delighted Health NZ – Te Whatua Ora Wairarapa is nurturing this relationship with the Academy. “This is an exciting opportunity for Wairarapa to host the Academy and showcase some of the varied options of careers in health. We aim to build on our relationship with the Academy and hope to have career tours integrated as a normal occurrence in the future.”
The Puāwai Pūrau Academy's focus is on providing support for ākonga Māori (Māori learners) who choose science and math subjects at school to not only stay in those subjects but to be supported to do so. It operates weekly during term three as a homework centre on Thursday afternoons at Hau Kāinga, Masterton. It has access to a group of science and math teachers from Wairarapa College who volunteer their time.
