Nature of science and a bit of chaos
Use our pānui for Hune to ease into the holidays with free board games, a deep dive into science history and simple hands-on activity videos.
5-Minute Volcano – class sets to give away!
5-Minute Volcano is an active, collaborative tabletop board game about natural disaster preparedness. There are free class sets available to qualifying New Zealand kura and schools!
5-Minute Volcano board game
5-Minute Volcano is a fast-paced game in which players work together to use the knowledge and skills of their character roles to survive volcanic hazards, including ashfall, pyroclastic flows of hot gas and tsunamis.
5-Minute Volcano is a fast-paced, entertaining introduction to natural disasters. It’s designed for ākonga aged 11–12 but can be played from ages 8+. Beneath the Waves, a GNS-led and MBIE-funded programme, has a limited number of board games to give away. Each successful school will receive six game sets, enabling play by up to 30 people. Priority will be given to kura/schools with a cultural or geographic connection to a volcano/volcanic field and Equity Index (EQI) will be considered.
For more information and to register your interest, visit 5-Minute Volcano. Please note: this exciting opportunity is only available to New Zealand kura/schools.
Mobile scanning electron microscope resources
Few things have changed our understanding of the natural world as have microscopes. Take a closer look at a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) and our supporting resources:
Mobile scanning electron microscope – PLD article with handy media
A scanning electron microscope in the classroom – an interactive curation of helpful background resources.
Check with your local university – some have mobile SEM that are used for outreach in schools. Alternatively, use the resources while teaching and learning about microscopes.
Science over the centuries
Science has long been a way to explain the natural world. As a systems-based pursuit of knowledge, it is not unique to the histories of European peoples. Explore how science has changed over time in our beautifully illustrated two-part series:
Early Polynesian sailing canoes
Early Polynesian sailing canoes were built for seafaring voyages. Waka hourua built since the 1990s were designed in a similar way to explore the Pacific Ocean in the manner of the ancestors.
Engraving ‘Priests travelling across Kealakekua Bay’, by John Webber (1752–1793), artist aboard Cook’s ship.
Exploring and observing – practical videos
Exploration and observation continue to be cornerstones in the pursuit of science knowledge – whether you work in a commercial lab or with early learners. We’ve partnered with the New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators on the following videos. They introduce simple and engaging hands-on activities for primary classrooms.
Density – observation and inference featuring John Marsh
Exploring nature through colour featuring Heather Goodey
Using magnification tools featuring Carol Brieseman
Using music to explore sound featuring Sandy Jackson.
For educators working in secondary schools, check out our popular Investigating in science PLD article and Types of investigation interactive. Each has excellent background information and features examples of kairangahau Māori and their research.
Whānau, hapū and iwi
Our local communities are committed to the preservation of our ecosystems in which all wildlife can exist. Manu are important to the unique biodiversity of Aotearoa and maintaining ecological balance.
Celebrating Matariki, Puanga and our native manu
The close of term 2 brings us to the time of year in which we celebrate the rising of Matariki and Puanga. It’s also a great time to rug up, find a comfy spot and make time for Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa – The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey 2025.
Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga from the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao team!
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Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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