LEARNZ: Our Primary Industries – unpacking the apple story

The humble apple has come along way since it was first planted in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1819. Did you know that New Zealand is now considered the best apple growing country in the world? Here's why. During this field trip you will follow the journey of the world's tastiest apples from a Hawke's Bay orchard to the shopping baskets of discerning consumers all around the world.

To prepare for this field trip, LEARNZ content will support inquiry into:

• apple varieties and characteristics
• the value of apples
• Hawke's Bay as New Zealand's ‘fruit basket’
• consumers and consumer preferences
• selective breeding and genetics, yields
• opportunities and threats for apple growing in New Zealand
• the journey of apples from seed to growing to eating
• the role of Plant & Food Research New Zealand.

During this field trip you will:

• follow Shelley's tweets on twitter
• visit a Hawke's Bay orchard to follow how apples are grown and harvested
• take part in selected orchard tasks like apple pruning, spraying, planting, and storage
• go to a facility to follow how apples are handled post-harvest
• get an overview of Integrated Pest Management
• investigate cross-pollination and sticky traps
• gather soil samples to gain an insight into maintaining soil health
• take control of an unmanned aircraft to control codling moth for bioprotection
• visit an agricultural research facility to learn about the latest findings.

Learning Areas/Levels

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Communities and Environments Levels 2-5;
Mathematics and Statistics: Number and Algebra Levels 2-4, Statistics Levels 2-4;
Science: Living World Levels 2-4, Nature of Science Levels 2-4;
Social Studies: Continuity and Change Levels 2-5, Place and Environment Levels 2-5, Economic World Levels 2-4;
Technology: Nature of Technology Levels 2-4

For more information about the field trip and to register, please visit: http://rata.learnz.org.nz/summary.php?vft=primaryindustries192