Winter science – both indoors and out
Engage your students in authentic science practices via ecological monitoring in your own backyard.
Get involved in active science
Don’t let winter limit your science options. There are so many options – both indoors and outside.
Earthworms
Count the number of earthworms in the cube of soil.
Citizen science
If you are keen to get outside, engage your students in authentic science practices and help scientists improve their knowledge of species abundance and distribution, check out The Great Kiwi Earthworm Survey and The Great Kererū Count (no longer running). Both projects can be done at school, at home or as part of a camp or outing. There are plenty of indoor options, too. Peruse online photographs to spot Otago skinks or count Weddell seals. Visit our citizen science section for other projects and useful pedagogical tips.
Engaging students in citizen science can make science education relevant and purposeful. Projects can be used as short-term experiences to build enthusiasm or as part of larger units of learning – we have wrap-around resources to support both options.
Stream health monitoring and assessment
How do we know whether a stream is healthy or not? Stream monitoring and assessment is important to understanding the impacts of land use on waterways.
Fresh water monitoring – resources and free PLD
Water quality is a hot topic in Aotearoa. Use the winter months to learn about key science concepts including water flows and catchments, water quality indicators and human impacts on water quality. Wai Māori explores values and connections between iwi, wai and awa. When the weather warms up, use the knowledge to take a hands-on look at stream health monitoring. Check out this short video below to find out what it's all about.
Rivers and Us
Environmental education provides an authentic context for students to engage with the natural world. Rivers and Us creates opportunities for deep learning, discovery, investigation and action.
Select here to view video transcript and copyright information.
Join us for a free online webinar that will provide step-by-step instructions and protocols for fresh water monitoring. We are excited to feature Alex Daniel from the Waikato Regional Council and resources from Rivers and Us.
Date: 6 August 2020
Time: 4:00–4:45 pm
Register here.
UPDATE: See the recording and supporting materials here: Rivers and Us – monitoring our waterways.
Celebrating Matariki
The Matariki star cluster has reappeared! Celebrate this special time of year with our new activity Naming the whetū in te kāhui o Matariki. It uses the labelling interactive Te iwa o Matariki. Enjoy!
How the Hub can help
With over 9,000 resources created to support New Zealand science, the Hub has so much to offer. How the Hub can help contains short videos to help you get the most out of our website. We know educators can be time-poor, so we offer tips and shortcuts to get you started. And, you get to meet the Hub team!
We offer added value through our social media. Contact us about creating collections or boards tailored to your needs. We can help foster connections between the education and science communities.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nzsciencelearn
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NZScienceLearn
Pinterest: nz.pinterest.com/nzsciencelearn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sciencelearninghubnz
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.
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Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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