WeSTEM 2025 – Wayfinders of the Pacific

How did our Pacific ancestors use stars to navigate the oceans and what can we learn from them today?

Thirty Waitākere College students from Years 9 through 13 joined the Wayfinders Club, a STEM inquiry project exploring traditional Pasifika navigation through the lens of modern science and technology. Led by experts from Craffft, Tapasā - Navigating the Future and Little Engineers, the project wove together astronomy, electrical engineering, digital design and cultural storytelling.

Navigating the stars and circuits

Over seven workshops, students learnt how Pacific navigators used constellations like Matariki to travel vast ocean distances. They built LED constellation models, constructed waka, wired circuits and mapped simulated journeys from Hawaiki to Aotearoa.

These hands-on activities connected cultural knowledge with physics, materials science and engineering. They also built confidence, collaboration and curiosity.

“The students keep asking me when we are having the next [project] session.”  — Jacqui Passi, Deputy Principal, Waitākere College

Minecraft, map-reading and modern tools

A highlight was the digital island-building challenge, where students designed virtual home islands in Minecraft. This activity consolidated their learning and introduced creative uses of technology, sparking interest in careers across game design, engineering and digital innovation.

Students also practised lashing, map-reading and astronomy, gaining practical skills while exploring the science behind traditional techniques.

“It’s important to share ideas and listen to others because their ideas can help improve our own.”  — Student, Waitākere College

STEM pathways and cultural pride

Survey results showed that:

• 90% enjoyed the hands-on activities

• 73% said they were more likely to choose or continue STEM subjects

The project gave students a deeper appreciation of their cultural heritage and a clearer view of how STEM can support their futures. With enthusiastic role models and varied experiences, they saw how the wisdom of the past can shape the innovations of tomorrow.

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Explore the full range of student-led STEM projects in the newly published 2025 WeSTEM Project Showcase.

From food sovereignty to digital storytelling, these case studies highlight how young people across west Auckland and beyond are using STEM to solve real-world challenges in their communities.

View the showcase pdf now!