When Christchurch teacher Pete Hay talks about how BLAKE programmes changed his career path, he’s quick to note it’s not an overstatement. In the last 18 months since participating in BLAKE Inspire and BLAKE Expeditions, the Avonhead Primary School Teacher says he has “completely pivoted” in his approach to teaching science and sparking students’ curiosity about the natural world.

Pete hasn’t made this shift on a whim. He’s responding to what he describes as “a bit of a crisis” in science education across New Zealand, where primary students often view the subject with apprehension rather than excitement.

“Experiential learning is huge right now,” Pete explains.

“That’s how I try to motivate my students, and what BLAKE does really well. When science becomes about sparking curiosity and making discovery fun—when you get kids genuinely wondering—that’s when the real learning happens.”

Pete first joined BLAKE Inspire in July 2023 after hearing about a friend’s son who had completed the student version of the program. What began as seemingly useful professional development during the week-long residential program in Auckland quickly evolved into a transformative experience, providing fresh ideas and connections that enhanced his view on how science and environmental education are approached in schools.

“Inspire is the perfect word for what the programme offers,” Pete explains. “It completely lifted my thinking of what I wanted to get out of my teaching career and helped me clarify my goals through the action plan.”

In June 2024, Pete joined four other teachers on BLAKE Expeditions to Te Rua-o-te-moko Fiordland aboard the yacht Breaksea Girl.  He worked alongside University of Otago scientists conducting seafloor surveys examining how these fiords function as powerful carbon sinks that absorb 10-20% of New Zealand’s carbon emissions annually.

Since that experience, Pete has been compelled by the immense potential for enhancing science and environmental education in Aotearoa.

He is currently participating in the Science Teaching Leadership Programme funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and run by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. This initiative places educators within scientific organisations for six months to expand their science network, knowledge, and skills, enabling them to integrate real-world scientific experiences into classroom learning.

While acknowledging the excellent course content and expertise of the leaders involved, Pete believes the long-lasting connections have been most valuable, continuing to inspire and evolve his thinking.

While acknowledging the excellent course content and expertise of the leaders involved, Pete believes the long-lasting connections have been most valuable, continuing to inspire and evolve his thinking.

“The idea of manaakitanga is so prevalent in these programmes. Supporting, encouraging, and helping one another is what makes them so successful,” he explains.

Above all, Pete says BLAKE has given him hope for the future.

“I cannot speak highly enough about the programmes,” he concludes. “They’ve transformed not just my teaching approach, but my entire outlook on environmental education.”

Pete’s enthusiasm has proven contagious within his professional circle, inspiring seven of his colleagues to apply for upcoming BLAKE programmes themselves. This growing network of BLAKE-influenced educators represents exactly the kind of ripple effect the organisation aims to create—empowering teachers who will, in turn, inspire generations of environmentally conscious students across New Zealand.