Sam is the Director of VolcanicKED, a learning-based company providing knowledge, education and discovery activities. He’s also Director of Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark and a Trustee. The Geopark looks to engage people in the landscapes by connecting stories of geology, ecology, communities, and human histories.
Sam was the Director of Academic Programmes for Frontiers Abroad Aotearoa (American Study Abroad students), and Lecturer in the School of Earth and Environment (previously Department of Geological Sciences), University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. And now brings his skills to stimulate lifelong learning using the environments of New Zealand.
Sam specialises in assisting primary and secondary school teachers in reaching their learning goals in environments beyond the classroom in the subjects of earth science and geography.
Sam focusses on getting learners to be scientists. Learners collect their own data, including, observations, notetaking, field sketching and photographs. Important for Sam is the co-creation of classroom and open-air learning experiences so they meet your learning objectives and outcomes. With his academic background Sam can connect learning with scientific papers and data, and present these at an appropriate level.
Sam focusses on the creation of interactive activities that support skills and knowledge development. He can either assist you in developing your own resources or bring along hands-on classroom learning experiences. Sam can also come to your classroom and answer questions that your class may have developed from their investigative learning.
Overall Sam is all about creativity and challenging young minds with tactile learning experiences.
