Watching the Kowhai | Today, observe the Kowhai
In a stand-alone lesson or as part of a recorded webinar titled "Exploring Mātauranga in the Classroom", students at Silverdale Normal School delved into an engaging activity focusing on their sense of place and science-related possible selves through local curriculum units that concentrate on plants. The activity, published by Referencing Hub media, was written by Chloe Stantiall as part of the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative and assisted by Maurice M. W. Cheng and Bronwen Cowie from The University of Waikato.
The activity, found in the "Experiencing native trees in your green space" resource, introduced students to the difference between looking and observing. They were instructed to sketch what they could actually see, challenging their perceptions and broadening their understanding of tree diversity. Students observed and sketched various parts of a Kōwhai tree, including bark, seed pods, flowers, and leaves. By the end of the activity, students should be able to identify various parts of a Kōwhai tree and make labelled drawings of it.
The activity also emphasised the role of observation in science, and students' sketches and annotations served to support learning in the 'Communicating in science' strand of the Nature of Science. Furthermore, the activity contributed to the 'Envisioning student possible selves in science: Addressing 'plant blindness' through place-based education' project.
In addition to the Kōwhai tree sketching activity, a series of related activities were offered to provide a holistic approach combining detailed natural observation, cultural practices, artistic expression, and scientific inquiry. These activities included:
- Exploring traditional uses of Kōwhai such as its application in Māori medicines, use of its bright yellow flowers, edible seeds, and timber for carving and building. This involved integrating botanical observation with cultural knowledge.
- Engaging in Mātauranga Māori workshops that emphasise tikanga (Māori customs) and Mātauranga (knowledge systems), which can deepen understanding of Kōwhai within cultural and ecological contexts.
- Studying the ecology and phenology of Kōwhai trees—observing flower types, growth patterns, and seed development alongside Māori seasonal knowledge (maramataka) to inform timing of activities like harvesting or medicinal use.
- Incorporating ecological science methods such as measuring tree growth, recording flowering times, and seed dispersal to complement traditional knowledge with scientific data collection.
- Weaving or carving activities informed by sketching Kōwhai wood or flowers to connect artistic expression with practical and cultural uses, bridging Mātauranga Māori and scientific observation.
A related video titled "Exploring and Observing" and a Word file for the activity are available for download. Additional activities for a wider teaching/inquiry sequence about Mātauranga Māori of Kōwhai include collecting Kōwhai seeds, planting Kōwhai seeds, sharing scientific understanding through poetry, and creating Kōwhai infographics.
This integrated practice honours both indigenous knowledge and modern science frameworks, providing a unique and enriching learning experience for students.
The activity, starting with sketching a Kōwhai tree, extends to a variety of related activities that harmonize natural observation, cultural practices, artistic expression, and scientific inquiry as part of the 'Envisioning student possible selves in science: Addressing 'plant blindness' through place-based education' project, promoting both personal growth and learning in environmental science and education and self-development. These additional activities encompass exploring traditional uses of Kōwhai, engaging in Mātauranga Māori workshops, studying the ecology and phenology of Kōwhai trees, incorporating ecological science methods, and weaving or carving activities, ultimately bridging Mātauranga Māori and scientific observation for a complete, holistic learning experience that encourages communicating in science and contributes to one's sense of place.
