Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

20 May 2025  –  Applications open

19 August 2025  – Applications close

 

ABOUT THIS PRIZE

When the applicant has read all the material below they can apply to the portal.

Forms

2025 Application Form – Science Teacher Prize 

2025 Referee Form – Science Teacher

2025  Budget Form – Science Teacher 

Eligibility

  • Teachers can apply directly for this Prize.
  • This Prize will be awarded to a qualified and registered teacher who is teaching science1  (in a primary, intermediate or a secondary New Zealand registered school or kura kaupapa) currently employed in a permanent capacity.
  • The teacher should have been in the same role for at least 12 months prior to their application.
  • The teacher must be either a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident.
  • The teacher must have had five years of science1 teaching experience in New Zealand.
  • In the case of secondary school teachers, the majority of their teaching time must have been devoted to teaching science1 subjects which are taken to include teaching relevant to any of the science, mathematics, technology, putaiao, hangarau or pangarau learning areas of the National Curriculum.
  • The recipient of the Prize is expected to remain in the teaching profession for at least the year following the presentation of the Prize.
  • Re-application by teachers from previous years is encouraged and welcomed, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. However past winners of the Prize will not be eligible to enter a second time.

1 Taken to include teaching relevant to any of the science, technology, mathematics, pūtaiao, hangarau or pāngarau learning areas of the National Curriculum.

 

Criteria

Judging of applications will be based on evidence or significant achievements in Science1 education within five years of the date of application. 

1. What is the high quality pedagogical approach that sits behind your teaching and learning of your students?   (25%)

For example this could include but is not limited to:

  • creating a supportive learning environment
  • encouraging reflective thought and action
  • acknowledging the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māturanga Māori in your science1 teaching
  • facilitating shared learning
  • making connections to prior learning and experience
  • enhancing the relevance of new learning
  • providing sufficient opportunities to learn
  • inquiring into the teaching–learning relationship.

 

2.  Provide a range of evidence (both quantitive and qualitative) that your actions have led to improved outcomes in science1 for the students you teach. (30%)   (Evidence will vary depending on whether the teacher is teaching in a secondary or primary setting).

For example this could include but is not limited to:

  • Student engagement, participation
  • Improvement or comparison of results
  • Quantitative and qualitative data
  • Photographic evidence
  • School wide interest in science1

 

3.  Your influence on engagement and awareness and delivery of science1 in your school and school’s community. (20%).

 For example this could include but is not limited to:

  • Support for your colleagues with their science1 teaching
  • Connecting or organising opportunities for your students with scientists/technologists/industry or others
  • Creating opportunities for involvement with those in your school community/hapori  

 

4. Your contribution to the awareness and appreciation of science1 education at a national or regional level. (25%)

For example this could include but is not limited to:

  • Presentations at conferences
  • Belonging to any subject associations or science committees
  • Sharing your knowledge or expertise with other groups in your region or nationally.
  • Running workshops within your region or nationally.

 

Each application will be assessed in the context in which the applicant is teaching (relative to the opportunities reasonably available to a primary, intermediate or secondary teacher). Assessment will include consideration of referees’  statements.

The applicant will also have the opportunity to submit a further 10 pages as their Evidence Portfolio.  This should cross reference and support the application.

 

Value

  • Valued at $150,000.
  •  $50,000 is for teacher and can be used at their own discretion.
  • The recipient’s school will receive $100,000 which must be used for the development of science1 in their school.

Referees

This Prize requires two referees. One of these has to be the applicant’s Principal and the other referee should also have an excellent understanding of the applicant’s pedagogy and their contribution to their school and community.

Confidentiality 

The secretariat gives no undertaking to keep confidential any information provided in the on-line entry form unless this is identified as information that should be treated as such. Information may, for example, be used to prepare promotional material for the Prize in future years.

Please note that information submitted on the entry form may be subject to the Official Information Act.

Navigating the portal

  • Everyone must register in the portal (this includes applicants, referees, mentors etc). The only exception is if they have registered in the portal previously.
  • The application and referee form can be downloaded from the portal also.
  • Everyone must first set up a profile where some compulsory questions need to be answered. There are some optional questions also.  As mentioned, this will not need to be done if a profile has been created previously, although this can be updated.
  • The applicant will be prompted by the portal to supply referee details and this will trigger an email which is sent to the referees which contains a unique link for referees to log into the portal.  This email verification will not be sent to referees until the applicant has uploaded their application (which can remain in ‘draft’ and updated at any time.)
  • An application cannot be submitted until referees have submitted their referee reports.

Contents of application must include

  1. Completed application template and evidence portfolio
  2. Two completed referee forms  (one must be from the Principal)
  3. Applicant CV.

Selection Panel 2025

The 2025 expert panel members are:

Dr Cathy Buntting (Chair), STEM Education, University of Waikato; Science Learning Hub
Prof Karyn Paringatai, University of Otago
Lian Soh, Pāpāmoa College
Mark Hooper,  Christ’s College
Sarah Washbrooke,  ByteEd Technology Education
Prof Georgina Tuari Stewart, AUT

 

Panellists are appointed by the Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi based on the recommendation of the panel Chair and Secretariat. Appointments are made on a year-by-year basis for each calendar year. Panellists must be experienced in an appropriate field or community and may be drawn from outside Aotearoa New Zealand if necessary.

The panel will consist of established leaders and researchers in their field and communities.  We will also aim to bring emerging people to panels to ensure diverse views and allow for the development of people and new talent.

In considering the suitability of potential panellists, the following requirements for panel composition should be considered as appropriate:

  • Mix of discipline/expertise
  • Sector and institutional balance
  • Geographic representation
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender balance

Royal Society Te Apārangi is committed to following best practice in being inclusive of diversity within our activities.

The selection panel will not enter into any correspondence concerning its deliberations. All inquiries should be directed to the Secretariat. The Secretariat will not disclose information on matters such as ranking, or names of nominees.

The Secretariat for the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is the Royal Society Te Apārangi, If you have any questions then please make contact with pmscienceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz

 

Conflicts of Interest – Panel Members 

It is recognised that occasionally members of the selection panel will know applicants, or have other conflicts of interest. They will be expected to declare all conflicts of interest when these situations arise. In the case of knowing an applicant, the Chair of the selection panel will rule if this is significant enough for the judge to be stood down from the committee for that applicant. (In the case of the Chair having a conflict of interest the decision will be made by another member of the Panel who has been identified in this role at the beginning of the process).

 

Expectations

  • The school will use the $100,000 for the development of science in their school.
  • The winner may be expected to be involved in promotional opportunities appropriate to receiving The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize.
  • An shortlisted applicant may be expected to attend an interview.

Announcement

  • The winner is expected to make themselves available for half a day January/February 2026 to meet with the Prime Minister’s Science Prize media liaison personnel in preparation of media material and photos.
  • The announcement will be made in March/April 2026.  (date to be confirmed) and the winner will be expected to make themselves available.

Timeline

20 May 2025  –  Applications open

19 August 2025  –  Applications close

August/Sept  –   Online judging

October/November   –  Selection panel meetings take place

January 2026  – All applicants notified

Closing

Applications close at midday on 19 August 2025.  Late applications will not be accepted.

 

NEED HELP?  HAVE OTHER PĀTAI QUESTIONS?

Ko te Kaiwhakahaere the Secretariat for The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is Royal Society Te Apārangi.  Contact details are:

Te Kaiwhakahaere the Secretariat
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
Royal Society Te Apārangi
PO Box 598
Wellington

Tel: (04) 470 5762

If you require any other information the please email pmscienceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz.

 

 

Supported by the New Zealand Government with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.  Nā Te Hīkina Whakatutuki te mana hāpai.