Scientific literacy is getting an electrifying boost through a Unison Networks partnership with House of Science.

Unison is committing its support to the Charitable Trust, sponsoring ‘Electric Future' science resource kits in more than 45 primary, intermediate and secondary schools across Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke's Bay.

With the Rotorua Lakes House of Science branch covering the Taupō and Rotorua area since 2015 and the Hawke's Bay branch covering Napier and Hastings since 2021, this partnership is a suitable fit for the consumer owned electricity distributor.

With a vision of raising scientific literacy across Aotearoa, House of Sciencep rovides quality science resources and professional learning for teachers to promote positive engagement with science in all its forms.

House of Science Branch Manager Hawke's Bay, Jenny Dee says House of Science is excited to be working with Unison.

'We're very grateful for Unison's support this year. Our resource kits contain everything a teacher needs to teach at least five hands-on experiments to the whole class. The kits are fully aligned with the New Zealand curriculum and are bilingual so Kura Kaupapa Māori can benefit from them too.

'Unison's vision to lead a sustainable energy future and its values of excellence, teamwork and integrity align strongly to our kaupapa. Together we encourage people to ask questions and challenge the status quo and this creates an environment where people can think big, have fun and contribute in a safe and inclusive way.

'It's fantastic to create a meaningful partnership which will have a positive impact on children now and into the foreseeable future,” says Ms Dee.

One of the three House of Science 'Electric Future' science resource kits sponsored by Unison. Photo: Supplied.

Unison's General Manager for Commercial, Jason Larkin says Unison is proud to partner with House of Science across the entirety of its network.

'Working to increase scientific literacy in our regions' schools is hugely important to us and truly represents and feeds into what Unison is all about. Our future engineers and electricians are all born from that initial spark of curiosity and passion for the sciences nurtured in school.

"Supporting that initial encouragement and exposure to the sciences is not only an investment in our future generations and their careers, but is an investment in the future of our industry as well.

At the same time, we are of course making the most of this opportunity to teach our kids about the dangers of electricity and how they can keep themselves and their families safe. This compliments our school safety education programme, Safe Sparks which we deliver in all schools in Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke's Bay,” says Mr Larkin.

House of Science's Electric Future kit sees bright sparks having fun exploring electricity. From making simple circuits using playdough, and LED bulbs for level one students, to making working torches and seeing how a solar powered car works for level four students.

The activities are sequential, each building on preceding learning, to build an understanding of electrical currents, conductivity, circuits, resistance, and insulation.