Author Description

A social studies resource book for students, on the topic of how lifestyle changes over time have influenced the prevalence of non-communicable diseases on the Cook Islands. Tereora College in Cook Islandst has been tackling the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through a cross-curricular, multi-sectoral unit looking closely at the Cook Islands. The unit was recently completed by all of the 144 students in Year 9 and was implemented through the Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project (PSHLP) led by the Education ministrys, lead teachers but in close collaboration with Liggins Institute of Auckland University. The project involves students learning about NCDs including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and their risk factor through different subjects such as science, social science, maths and English. The unit has been centered around the Cook Islands and Cook Islanders. It is contextualised so students are familiar and therefore more engaged in the issue. They are exploring their own people in their own place which helps them to then think more globally. Resources have been written and produced by local teachers with the help from Education and Health ministries who supply up-to-date evidence on NCD rates for the students to ponder. This year saw the latest publication, a student text book written by Celeste Barrett-Watson, Head of Faculty, Social Sciences at Tereora College and Jacquie Bay from the Liggins Institute, to support the Social Studies classes. It is called 200 Years of Lifestyle Change on Rarotonga- Tauianga o te Oraanga i Rarotonga Nei i Roto i Tatai Rua Anere Mataiti and joins other resources created specifically for Cook Islands students. Students look closely at their islands, their villages and their own families by collecting information on what their lifestyles are like and how this might prevent or cause NCDs. Students are always keen to share their new knowledge with their families and wider communities.