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New Zealand Science Learning Hub Newsletter
Autumn 2008
Kia ora, and welcome to the autumn newsletter of the New Zealand Science Learning Hub – dedicated to sparking fresh thinking in science education www.sciencelearn.org.nz.
What’s new?
IPY Voyage to the Ross Sea
In February 2008, New Zealand scientists embarked on an eight-week voyage to the Ross Sea to survey the marine environment and explore the variety of life forms in the region.
The Science Learning Hub has had weekly communications with the scientists on board to feature a unique account on the science and experiences on board the research vessel. The voyage has been organised into eight themes and the accounts are supported through real life data.
The Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) is one of many international research programmes that falls under the International Polar Year (IPY) umbrella. This multi-national research project involves 23 countries in 11 co-ordinated voyages, to survey marine life and habitats around Antarctica. The voyage is also part of Oceans Survey 20/20 – a New Zealand Government ocean-mapping project.
Learn more about the research, view images and video of the living material collected from the sea floor and share the experiences of the crew on board.
Find out more: New Zealand IPY-CAML voyage to the Southern ocean | Sciencelearn Hub
Benthos – life on the seabed
Benthos is everything that lives on the seafloor: sea stars, sea squirts, sea slugs, corals, crabs, clams, whelks (sea snails), worms, sponges, urchins, anemones and a great many more things. Studying benthos (or benthic organisms) will help us understand how ocean ecosystems work.
Find out more: Benthos – life on the seabed | Sciencelearn Hub
Diversity of Ross sea fish
The Ross Sea is freezing, it has an average temperature of –1.9°C. Two of the most abundant fish in the Ross Sea are the Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) and the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni). How do they survive in the freezing conditions?
Find out more: Diversity of Ross Sea Fish | Sciencelearn Hub
Currents in the Southern Ocean
The main current in the Southern Ocean is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which flows from west to east, all the way around Antarctica. Closer to the coast of Antarctica, the ocean currents are more complex. Friction between the sea water and the bottom of the ocean cause the movement of the water or current to slow down.
Find out more: Currents in the southern ocean | Sciencelearn Hub
Seamounts in the southern seas
Seamounts are mountains that are found under the sea. Seamounts can be very deep, up to several kilometres under the sea surface.
Some of the animals found on seamounts can be very rare, and in certain cases only found on that particular seamount. Scientists have even found animals on seamounts that we thought became extinct millions of years ago.
Find out more: Seamounts in the southern seas | Sciencelearn Hub
Latest news
Check out the latest science-related news and events from New Zealand and overseas.
New Zealand leading the world
The Hub’s NZ Research collections provide information about New Zealand’s world-class science and technology. Each NZ research story is linked to Science Ideas and Concepts. For example, in the Earthquakes context, you can find out how New Zealand researchers are developing new techniques to help buildings withstand earthquakes.
Find out more: Earthquakes | NZ Research | Sciencelearn Hub
Making the most of the Hub
Each context on the Hub has its own collection of key terms. These are explanations of the key concepts encountered when exploring the context – the ‘basics’ that every student should understand. Check out the Sporting Body context key terms
Register now to experience the full benefits of the New Zealand Science Learning Hub – it’s free and easy to do.
Check out tips finding your way around the Hub.
Coming soon
New contexts
Soon, the Science Learning Hub will feature four new contexts:
- You, Me and UV – the good and the bad of ultraviolet radiation
- Enviro-imprints – affecting and protecting the natural world around us
- Nanomaterials – what's big in the science of the ultra-small
- Future Fuels – exploring our energy options
Free subscription to this newsletter
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We welcome your ideas
We are keen to receive your ideas and feedback about the Science Learning Hub. What contexts or resources would you like to see on the Hub in the future?
Please contact us at: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz
Best wishes
Di Hartwell, Project Manager, The New Zealand Science Learning Hub