TOUCH/CAST have just launched 'The Ultimate Time Capsule competition' for Telecom's School Connection programme.

Schools around the country have been invited to submit a time capsule to Telecom. It must represent a snap shot of life in New Zealand in 2005. But here comes the twist in the tale.

Three of the best entries received will be welded inside the HMNZS Wellington (F69) before it is sunk off the south coast of Wellington on 12th November. A Leander Class frigate, the F69 served in the Royal New Zealand Navy and the British Navy before that. From 12th November 2005, she will become an artificial reef off Wellington's south coast, providing a recreational diving facility and contributing significantly to the local ecosystem in terms of a habitat for sea life.

The time capsules will be packed in buoyant containers (kindly supplied by RFD NZ Limited), and it is expected that the winning entries will remain at the bottom of the ocean for 75 to 100 years depending on how long it takes for the ship to breakdown. At that time, they will bob up to the surface to wash up on some far-off beach.

TOUCH/CAST were aware of the upcoming sinking, and thought it provided a terrific opportunity for the Telecom School Connection programme and was a great demonstration of their tagline, 'Bringing learning to life'. When we presented the idea to Telecom, they were as excited as us, and so in a very short time, we collectively turned the idea into reality.

The sinking of the F69 can also be applied to a number of school subjects; and so in addition to the time capsule competition, Telecom sponsored the production of teacher resources in maths, science and arts.

"This is a great opportunity for Telecom and the School Connection programme to be involved in an occasion of such historical significance as well as an opportunity for Telecom to help teachers bring a unique event into their 2005 syllabus. We recognised that the school curriculum leaves very little time for teachers to plan and execute activities outside of the syllabus so we employed teachers to write complete unit plans that link to the sinking," says Telecom Education Portfolio Manager Miranda Cook.

As for the teachers involved, "I think the time capsule competition combined with the units will really capture the imagination of the students," said Kirsten Lang from Kelburn Normal School. Ms Lang created the units with two of her colleagues.

The Ultimate Time Capsule Competition will run until 30 September with the winners being announced on 20 October. Teachers that are interested in entering or using the resources provided should visit www.thetimecapsule.co.nz.