changes of matter
Teacher PLD
Learning science from home – upper primary
Science is about discovery, curiosity and observation. Two key outcomes of any activity can simply be enjoyment and the conversations that arise from the experience. Take...
Teacher PLD
Chemistry in the primary classroom
In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool and the New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators (NZAPSE) team will build your confidence with teaching chemistry....
Teacher PLD
Chemistry made simple – atoms
In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool will build your knowledge and confidence to teach the particle nature of matter – a key concept in...
Article
Distilling oils and hydrosols
Where can a question take you? For Sue Fergus and her students at Taranaki’s Toko School, questions about candle scents and what to do with lavender...
Activity
Carbon cycle quiz
Carbon moves through the Earth’s system in many different ways. The carbon cycle is a visualisation of the processes that move and store carbon between living...
Activity
Using evidence – heat and change of state
In this activity, students write an explanation of how heat energy is involved in the change of state as ice changes to water and then to...
Activity
Latent heat of vaporisation
In this activity, students watch a teacher demonstration, and the results will allow an estimate of the latent heat of vaporisation of water to be made....
Activity
Making ice cream
In this activity, students are encouraged to think about the process of making ice cream and to explore the concept of states of matter through simple...
Teacher PLD
Kitchen science
In this recorded professional learning session, Lyn Rogers and Angela Schipper explore aspects of kitchen science. They discuss how kitchen science can be used to deepen...
Article
Space revealed – question bank
An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about the secret lives of planets,...
Article
Investigating elements — question bank
An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides an initial list of questions about investigating elements and places where...
Article
Future fuels – question bank
An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about exploring our energy options and...
Article
Better wool
Scientists at AgResearch are looking for ways to improve the durability of woollen textiles and carpets in order to sustain the place of wool as a...
Article
Wool in wound dressings
Two AgResearch scientists explain how wool products are traced and how wool proteins are using in wound dressings. Listen to this RNZ programme, Wool in wound...
Article
Space weather
Each day, we consciously experience atmospheric weather, driven by radiation from the Sun. In addition, we are mostly unknowingly subjected to space weather driven primarily by...
Teacher PLD
Students reflect on learning science
Sadler (1989) argued that the indispensible conditions for improvement are that students are active participants in their own learning and assessment. It is therefore important to...
Teacher PLD
Planning a new science topic
Shulman’s (1987) notion of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is concerned with how to teach specific disciplinary ideas and skills to particular students. Teachers need to develop...
Teacher PLD
How wall displays sustain learning
It is important for students to understand how a specific task and idea fits within and contributes to their learning in the longer term and across...
Teacher PLD
Performing science
Drama is a process that actively engages students in the expression, analysis and sharing of their feelings, perceptions, attitudes and ideas (O’Hara, 1984). Presentations can be...
Teacher PLD
Making and using an artefact
In the primary classroom, students may be involved with a science topic over several weeks. They need to be supported to develop their scientific understandings in...
Teacher PLD
Adapting learning outcomes and activities for young students
Shulman’s (1987) notion of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is concerned with how to teach specific ideas and skills to particular students. As well as knowing what...
Article
Ripples in the universe from the Big Bang
A team of US astronomers, after years of working in the Antarctic, say they have found long-awaited evidence for the theory that the Universe underwent a...
Article
Hidden heat
Converting states of matter from one form into another requires the involvement of heat energy. For example, converting water at 100°C into steam at 100°C requires...
Article
Solar flares hurl charged particles at Earth
In early March 2012, two solar flares erupted, sending a streaming cloud of charged particles (known as a coronial mass ejection or CME) hurtling towards Earth....