‘How can I apply STEM to where my passions lie?’

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Nora Quigley says she’s ‘‘not naturally an Einstein’’, and not even the smartest scientist in her class.

But she’s passionate about using science to make real changes in the world, is already developing a biodegradable plastic polystyrene alternative using mushroom fibres and is already well down the path of climate change activism and environmental science.

The Timaru teenager said she didn’t look at STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – as requirements for a career. ‘‘It was more, how can I apply STEM to where my passions lie?’’

Quigley isn’t fazed by statistics that show boys outperform girls in maths and science subjects.

‘‘There’s just so many opportunities for young women to apply STEM outside of an

subjects at levels 2 and 3 that would reflect and cater to students’ interests, including tourism, Pacific studies, Ma¯ ori studies, raranga (weaving) and whakairo (carving). The changes proposed would also include new subjects within Te Matautanga o Aotearoa (the Ma¯ ori medium curriculum).

‘‘In the new NCEA subjects, barriers to equitable access and

participation hidden in the design or content of achievement standards are being identified and removed, alongside ensuring the achievement standards retain their rigour and validity,’’ Hipkins said.

National Party education spokesman Paul Goldsmith pointed to increasing truancy rates, Labour’s decision to scrap National Standards and

insufficient funding for students with learning needs as among the reasons education standards had stalled over the past 10 years.

‘‘Overall NCEA pass rates have been improving, but international comparisons haven’t, so that raises a number of issues.’’

Truancy rates were ‘‘appalling’’ and improved attendance was needed to improve schools’ results.

‘‘They have been bad for a long time but have been getting worse and are particularly bad for Ma¯ ori and Pacific [students],’’ he said.

‘‘You are always going to struggle to achieve if you’re regularly not at school and I don’t think as a country we have had anywhere near enough focus on attendance and we have become a country of excuses.’’