Launching Biology Teacher PD Days 2025
5 November 2025
The annual Maurice Wilkins Centre’s Biology Teacher Professional Development (PD) Programme kicked off in November with great enthusiasm from local communities and teachers.
The programme started in Taupō, where five of New Zealand’s leading scientists met with local science educators and health providers at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College. This was followed by two further PD days held in Tauranga and Auckland (hosted at St Cuthbert's College).
Teacher Professional Development Day in Taupō.
The speakers presented up-to-date information tailored to the NCEA and national biology curriculum. Prof Greg Anderson (University of Otago) spoke about the sterilisation of pests for native bird conservation; Prof Emily Parker (Victoria University of Wellington) provided an introduction to Synthetic Biology; and Prof Mark Hampton (University of Otago) spoke about ‘The Breath of Life’, the biochemistry mechanisms of turning food into energy Emma Voss (Livestock Improvement Corporation) presented on the latest science and understanding about antibiotic resistance, and Dr Kate Lee (University of Auckland) presented on how understanding biology is important to discover new medicines, through the "Ozempic" example.
Prof Emily Parker
In the programme’s second half, PD days will be held in Queenstown (Wakatipu High School) and Timaru (Craighead Diocesan School).
This year’s programme is associated with the Biology Educators of Aotearoa NZ (BEANZ). The Maurice Wilkins Centre give thanks to the generosity of the local school communities for their support of these PD Days.