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properties of matter

Matter in our world

Article

Matter in our world

Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. All physical objects are composed of matter, and an easily observed ...

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Hidden heat

Article

Hidden heat

Converting states of matter from one form into another requires the involvement of heat energy. For example, converting water at ...

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Plasma spray-coating

Article

Plasma spray-coating

The plasma spraying process involves the generation of a plasma jet, the injection and treatment of particles within the plasma ...

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Gas properties

Activity

Gas properties

In this internet-based activity, students investigate gas compressibility and gas expansion in a quantitative way. The end result will be ...

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Hydrogel biomineralisation

Article

Hydrogel biomineralisation

Biominerals are hybrid materials made from organic and inorganic components. For example, the nacre (mother of pearl) associated with pāua ...

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Properties of materials – introduction

Article

Properties of materials – introduction

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. A useful way to start thinking about matter is to think ...

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Chemistry made simple – properties of matter

Teacher PLD

Chemistry made simple – properties of matter

At the Science Learning Hub, we know teaching chemistry can feel a bit overwhelming. In this recorded professional learning session, ...

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Globe diagram showing warm water and cold water streams driving global ocean currents.

Article

Changing times in Antarctica

In February 2025, the world hit a new low for global sea ice extent. Arctic sea ice has been declining for several decades now, but Antarctic ...

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Case study: Tetracycline antibiotics in the environment

Article

Case study: Tetracycline antibiotics in the environment

Antibiotic medicines have been an important development for human health, and they’re credited with improving the average human lifespan. While important for human and animal health, ...

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Case study: Zinc in the environment

Article

Case study: Zinc in the environment

We use chemicals every day, and they’re all around us. We know different chemicals come in different forms and that they will behave differently in different ...

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Chemical contaminants in the environment

Article

Chemical contaminants in the environment

Did you know there are over 30,000 chemicals approved for use across Aotearoa New Zealand? Who approves and regulates the use of these chemicals? How do ...

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Lapita cultural complex

Article

Lapita cultural complex

Around 3,500 years ago the earliest ancestors of many Pacific people and Māori – the people provisionally named Lapita – appeared in Oceania. Records of the ...

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A sinking feeling

Article

A sinking feeling

This Connected article by Ken Benn, looks at a class investigation into why they lost the boat float competition. It starts when student Meihanna asks “How ...

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More than a box

Article

More than a box

This Connected article describes the processes and practices used when planning, designing and building a large indoor sports centre. It outlines the science and technology behind ...

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Rethinking plastics

Article

Rethinking plastics

The late 19th and early 20th centuries shared some of the same environmental issues that also concern us today: air and water pollution, power generation from ...

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Turning old into new

Article

Turning old into new

Take a look around you. Everything you see has come from the natural world. This level 4 Connected article focuses on the importance of recycling so ...

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Flight Plastics recycling technology

Article

Flight Plastics recycling technology

Over the last 50 years, plastics have become an integral part of our world. Plastic products are found everywhere – in our houses, cars, bikes, toothbrushes ...

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Plastics and recycling

Article

Plastics and recycling

Plastic is an amazing material. It has changed the way we store and carry food, drinks and other items. Plastic is lightweight and resists breaking when ...

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Limestone, a fizzy rock – question bank

Article

Limestone, a fizzy rock – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides an initial list of questions that teachers and students might ask ...

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Super sense – an introduction to artificial sensors

Article

Super sense – an introduction to artificial sensors

Monitoring our world using artificial sensors Artificial sensors enable us to overcome the limitations of our human senses and extend them in novel and useful ways, ...

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Nanoscience – question bank

Article

Nanoscience – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about nanoscience and places where their ...

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Nanoscience – introduction

Article

Nanoscience – introduction

Nanoscience involves the study of chemical and physical changes that happen at the nanoscale. Researchers and scientists are interested in the nanoscale, because when many materials ...

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Investigating life in the sea – key terms

Article

Investigating life in the sea – key terms

This resource provides explanations of the key concepts encountered when exploring life in the sea – the ‘basics’ that every student should understand. Adaptation Biodiversity Canary ...

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Digestion chemistry — key terms

Article

Digestion chemistry — key terms

Food’s macronutrients undergo chemical breakdown as they move through the digestive system. Learn more about the digestion process and its hormonal control with these explanations of ...

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History of gases and plasmas – timeline

Article

History of gases and plasmas – timeline

Use this timeline for a look at some of the historical aspects in the development of our understanding of gases and plasmas. 1644 – Invention of ...

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Kelvin – The ThermoKennel

Article

Kelvin – The ThermoKennel

It is said that dogs are man’s best friend, and here in New Zealand, you could also say dogs are a farmer’s best friend. Across New ...

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Restoration of a wooden pare

Article

Restoration of a wooden pare

For Māori, taonga are precious as the living embodiment of tūpuna or ancestors, and they need to be handled respectfully. This means that not only are ...

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Aeronavics

Article

Aeronavics

Drones, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), droids, flying robots – no matter what you call them, they are fast becoming the latest must-have technology. Need to check ...

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Kindling Cracker

Article

Kindling Cracker

Year 8 Norfolk Primary School student Ayla Hutchinson was looking for an idea for her school science fair project. It was during this time that she ...

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Ayla Hutchinson

Article

Ayla Hutchinson

Position: Student, Field: Innovator, Organisation: Kindling Cracker Limited. Taranaki teenager Ayla Hutchinson was just 13 years old when she came up with the idea and design ...

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