02 July 2008
New Zealand children will have no excuses for not knowing everything about airports, thanks to a new educational website developed by Auckland Airport.
A group of teachers joined Auckland Airport to help develop the online resource and ensure it is linked to the new curriculum and its key competencies.
The site boasts a wonderful collection of activities, images and audio resources all designed to help educate children on the diverse range of activities that occur at New Zealand's busiest airport. Included on the site is an online booking form for Auckland airport tours. The free tours cater for all school ages, are conducted by a qualified educator and designed to suit class objectives.
Teachers who have trialled the site have been impressed that is up to date with the latest school curriculum. "It is great to see a user friendly resource that relates to the new New Zealand curriculum put out so promptly, says Kate Reynard, deputy principal at Miramar Primary in Wellington. "The site has some terrific features including some innovative activities teachers can use both before and after an airport visit. The profiles on the dogs will be a real hit with the children."
Michelle Paddison, a teacher at Diocesan Junior School worked on the website content and found it a very valuable experience for her professional development. "The resource is a huge help to a teacher in terms of planning and it's great that it has catered for those who might not be able to facilitate an airport tour. They can get a very authentic experience from the online resource with good photography, maps, stories, online activities and audio tools," says Michelle.
To launch the website the airport is giving away a Compaq computer package and $200 worth of Scholastic's books. For more information on the site and competition details visit; www.auckland-airport.co.nz
For more information contact:
Sarah Aldworth,Communications Manager
Tel +64 9 256 8917
Mob +64 027 474 6483