Science Learning Hub (SLH), a website set up to support science teaching in New Zealand has been named as one of five winners in the e-learning and science category at the World Summit Awards.

The Waikato University-run site is now in with a chance to win the overall World Summit Award for 2013 and Di Hartwell, project manager for the SLH, hopes to present the project at the World Summit Awards Global Congress 2013 in Sri Lanka in October.

Hartwell is thrilled with the Hub’s success. “We must also acknowledge all the scientists up and down the country who work with us to produce the site-content. They give so generously of their time – a lot of our success is due to them,” she says.

Products entered in the Awards were tested by The World Summit Awards Grand Jury in August and, from that, SLH was selected as one of the 40 best ICT ventures.

The jury commented that the SLH’s richness, high quality content, and smooth design were “behind the success of this wonderful educative and learning portal”.

Its evaluation went on to say that although the SLH is designed for New Zealanders, it is very useful for all countries as a good scientific reference.

“The portal explains and showcases New Zealand’s cutting-edge science sector, providing teachers and their students with a contemporary and engaging view of science research, supporting identified needs in science education.

“The portal includes many featured collections such as classroom-ready resources, multimedia collections, teaching strategies and starter ideas, plus shot-on-location videos, interactive content and subject matter-based timelines. The portal is also showcasing New Zealand science and innovation to the world and demonstrating how this sector is contributing to local and global science.”

SLH promotes student interest and engagement in science by providing contemporary, contextualised resources for school teachers from Years 2 – 10.

The website provides a link between science research organisations and science teachers, fulfilling an identified need in science education. It showcases science using multimedia and demonstrates the relevance of scientific research to our everyday lives.

See www.sciencelearn.org.nz to find out more about the Science Learning Hub.