New Zealand Science Teacher

Wondrous wool: resources released

31/05/2016

To get kids exploring something dear to the hearts of New Zealanders - the fibre on the backs of those four-legged Kiwis that outnumber their human counterparts - Year 7 and 8 teachers can access Wool in Schools, a comprehensive source of information about wool.

The online resource includes Wool Academy 101, which weaves together science curriculum links and information on the various breeds of sheep.

Interested teachers can also book ‘the Wool Shed’ – a shipping container kitted out with lots of interactive learning tools for students and designed to spread the word about the unique properties of this extraordinary fibre that’s at the heart of the New Zealand story.  

The Wool Shed is free to book and is funded by the Campaign for Wool Trust, a non-profit advocacy organisation that originally started with the patronage of HRH Prince Charles.

The Wool Shed comes with a workbook that’s aimed at year 7 and 8 students, but which has been used at lower primary and secondary level as well. The Wool Shed is currently in Hawke’s Bay and is making its way north in mid-June.

The photo above shows Prince Charles visiting Tawa Intermediate School last year for the opening of the Wool Shed.

Teachers interested in checking the availability of the Wool Shed can enquire at woolinschools.nz.