CURIOUS MINDS SOUTH AUCKLAND 2024 - PROJECT #4

Te Aitanga Pepeke (The Insect World)

Robertson Road School

For this 8-month-long project, Robertson Road School transformed a delapidated school garden and grassy area into a vibrant outdoor classroom and "urban ark" for native biodiversity. 

The project involved approximately 130 students in Years 7–8, who worked in groups to design different elements of the garden. They learnt about sustainability and biodiversity conservation through a range of hands-on activities, such as monitoring the weather with a solar-powered station, designing irrigation, and creating a haven for different native plants and pollinators. 

This project was supported by STEM experts from Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland Zoo, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Oke Garden. The school's Whānau Connect group also played a huge part in the project with the donation of goods and materials, building a pātaka kai and engaging whānau in community planting days.