Maui’s Dolphin –

Background
Welcome to Maui’s dolphin – An inquiry to action
Maui’s dolphin – An inquiry to action is a cross-curricular inquiry-learning resource for
schools. It is designed to support teachers and students to undertake their own inquiries
into the protection of the world’s most endangered marine mammal – Maui’s dolphin.
This resource is designed for levels 2–4 of the New Zealand Curriculum; however, it can be
modified by teachers or facilitators and used at all levels. While the curriculum links focus
on science and social studies, teaching about this critically endangered dolphin can be
integrated into any learning area because it fits within the key competencies outlined by
the curriculum.
The teacher’s notes include curriculum links, inquiry learning support, student activities
and an extensive list of resources.
When using this resource, you may choose to undertake a short inquiry with your class over
a few weeks, or you may prefer to undertake an extended, rich inquiry over a longer period.
Whatever you decide, this resource aims to support students and teachers as they come
to value the existence of this very special dolphin and start taking action to protect it from
extinction.
Why undertake an inquiry to action using
Maui’s as a context for learning?
For teachers new to inquiry learning, or those who may be familiar with inquiry and want
to base an inquiry on an endemic animal, WWF has produced this resource to help you.
We believe that inquiry learning is a great way to learn because it encourages action
competence, which is a key goal of education for sustainability. To learn more about
inquiry learning (examples of models, theories about it as an approach, and more) we
urge you to go to the experts, for example, see TKI’s Social Studies Online
http://ssol.tki.org.nz/
At WWF we believe Maui’s dolphin is an excellent context to use for inquiry learning
because it:
• engages children, is relevant and urgent, and enables teachers to deliver integrated
programmes closely aligned with the curriculum
• provides opportunities for new understandings and insights about how we live in
relationship to each other and all living things on this planet
• provides an opportunity for schools to connect with their local communities
• provides an authentic context for implementing an inquiry, with the aim of empowering
students to take action.
4 Maui’s Dolphin – An inquiry to action