Liggins Institute
Education
Through the LENScience programmes, we are bringing increased awareness of the long-term importance of good nutrition before and during pregnancy and in childhood to adolescent students and through them, their families and communities.
The extensive science education programme LENScience, which is based at the Liggins Institute, provides school teachers and students with access to scientific research communities. Its programmes are designed to inspire schools to maximise student potential through a wide range of high quality learning opportunities for both students and teachers. They are proving to be an effective means of transferring knowledge and information derived from research at the Liggins into the community.
LENScience student opportunities include:
- day classes at the Liggins Institute for high school students at all levels
- mentor programmes for students with particular needs or aptitudes for science
- a residential summer programme for Year 13 and undergraduate students
- programmes for Māori and Pacific students
- a seminar series broadcast to senior biology students throughout New Zealand
- educational events and lectures by international scientists which are broadcast nationally.
For detailed information visit the LENScience website.
This purpose designed education facility at the Liggins Institute is the home of LENScience. It is equipped with scientific instruments and research tools which allow students hands-on experience of technologies and expert guidance that are not generally available in schools. It is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic teaching technologies. Programmes are designed by experienced, practicing school teachers in consultation with scientists.
The classroom was established through the generous support of the Lion Foundation and the Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate and the wider Liggins community. It was officially opened by the (then) Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark in 2006.
Read more about the Logan Campbell Classroom on the LENScience website.
A healthy start to life — adolescent education programmes
Many adolescents do not have a good understanding of the nutritional requirements for pregnancy. This lack of awareness was observed in 14 and 17 year olds students attending the LENScience programmes at the Liggins Institute.
LENScience researchers are conducting an observational study to develop a clear picture of how the public perceives the relationship between nutrition and disease risk. From this they will develop and trial educational interventions to alter those perceptions and improve the community’s awareness of current scientific knowledge.
The study aims to positively influence health outcomes in the next generation. The programme teaches the concept of developmental plasticity and links strongly with other experimental projects in the Liggins Institute investigating the scientific basis of how developmental plasticity influences human health.
Definition of developmental plasticity
Workplace education programme
A team of Liggins researchers and educators are trialling a project which will produce materials designed to improve awareness of the healthy start to life concept in communities and workplaces where people currently have a poor understanding of the relationship between nutrition and health.
