High school history pupils get taste of university life

Three hundred and fifty high school pupils got a taste of university life attending lectures as part of Massey’s Year 13 History Seminar programme.

The pupils and 22 teachers from 19 schools in Manawatu, Horowhenua, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wanganui and Taranaki regions participated in the annual event.

School of Humanities senior lecturer Geoff Watson said history staff gave lectures on key periods the pupils are studying, which reflected assignment topics or possible exam questions.

“The objective of the event is to give students and teachers an overview of current scholarly thinking in their field, sometimes with observations from the lecturers own research,” Dr Watson said.

It is also an introduction to university studies. “Pupils get an insight into what study at university level is about, specifically what it is to study history at university.

“In a wider sense, they get a taste of Massey University and its student culture. Hopefully they will be inspired to go on to university study.”

The event, which has been going since the 1980s, is also a form of professional development for teachers, and lectures covered periods from New Zealand and English history.

Caitlin Kilpin from Queen Elizabeth College found the lectures interesting. “It’s a lot different to learning in secondary school. I learned heaps, a lot was covered in an hour. My hand hurts from writing so much,” she said.