Ngā Mahi - Lesson Activities (50 minutes)
1. Do Now: Defining "Technology" (10 mins)
Critical Thinking Starter: Challenge students' assumptions about what counts as "technology" and "innovation."
Activity: In pairs, students list as many examples of "technology" as they can in 2 minutes.
Follow-up Questions:
- Circle any examples that do not require electricity
- What patterns do you notice in your list?
- How might our modern view of technology be limited?
Class Discussion: Reveal how colonial thinking has shaped our understanding of "advanced" vs "primitive" technology. Introduce the idea that all human societies are technological - they just use different tools suited to different environments.
2. Reading & Analysis: Domains of Innovation (20 mins)
Resource: Distribute the Pre-Colonial Māori Innovation handout
Expert Group Topics:
- Engineering: Pā fortifications, bridges, tools
- Agriculture: Sustainable farming, food preservation
- Navigation: Ocean voyaging, star knowledge
- Architecture: Building design, environmental adaptation
Group Task:
- Read your assigned domain section
- Identify 2-3 specific innovations
- Explain the science behind each innovation
- Prepare to teach the class why this was sophisticated
3. Expert Group Sharing (15 mins)
Presentation Format: Each expert group has 3 minutes to teach the class about their domain of innovation.
Required Elements:
- Innovation Example: Specific technology or technique
- Scientific Principles: What knowledge was required?
- Environmental Adaptation: How was this suited to Aotearoa?
- Sophistication Argument: Why was this scientifically advanced?
Active Listening: Students take notes on each presentation using the framework: Innovation → Science → Sophistication
4. Exit Ticket & Reflection (5 mins)
Exit Question
"Name one way that pre-colonial Māori innovation demonstrates a deep understanding of science or engineering. Explain why calling this society 'primitive' is both wrong and harmful."
Assessment Criteria:
- Specific Example: Names a concrete innovation
- Scientific Understanding: Explains the knowledge required
- Critical Analysis: Challenges colonial narratives