Hillary Challenge for primary and secondary schools

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today gave his support to a new learning adventure for school students known as The Hillary Challenge – an on-line social study project that explores the life and adventures of New Zealand legend and icon Sir Edmund Hillary.

“I’m very pleased Microsoft New Zealand and the Ministry of Education have taken up the challenge presented to them last year by the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust, to partner and create an online resource for schools,” Trevor Mallard said.

“It’s an excellent way of involving students in this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations of Sir Edmund’s ascent of Mt Everest on May 29.

“This project is a great opportunity for students to learn about the special characteristics and skills that made Sir Edmund so successful. His determination, leadership, his belief in teamwork and attention to detail will be a great inspiration to our young people.

“Students will be able to understand the contribution and significance of Sir Edmund’s achievements in a global and national context. From those investigations they will be encouraged to work in teams on their own learning challenge and then present it to their local communities,” Trevor Mallard said.

The Hillary Challenge will be available for primary to secondary schools from the second term in an on-line teaching and learning resource and in CD format. Microsoft New Zealand is foundation sponsor and is currently developing the CD with the assistance of UNITEC. The Ministry of Education funded website, Social Studies Online, will host the social studies teaching and learning resources.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Trust was set up with support from Government to oversee activities to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, and as an ongoing organisation, to fundraise and distribute these funds to a range of causes.

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