Science outreach activities on campus
We offer a selection of science outreach activities at both Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.
These are designed to inspire the next generation of budding scientists, as well as reinforce the science curriculum taught in our local secondary and intermediate schools.
We love having students come to visit, so why not make a booking and bring your whole class to enjoy an unforgettable science experience
Year 12-13
Biology: Animal taxonomy time travel
Description: This activity covers the diversity of adaptations that animals have developed for life on land, including the structural and physiological adaptations in each major taxonomic group.
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 2 Biology - Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life
Campus: Hamilton & Tauranga
Duration: 2-3 hours
Biology: Biodiversity basics
Description: This activity consists of two parts and can be tailored to meet your school’s specific needs.
- Part One introduces students to specimens from the nine major animal phyla, emphasizing the diversity of the animal kingdom.
- Part Two involves a closer examination of soil invertebrates using microscopes (no prior experience required). Students will identify various invertebrates and construct a food chain based on their findings.
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 1-2 hours
Please note: While the activity is ideal for smaller groups (under 30 students), it can accommodate larger classes (max 60)
Biology: Blood pressure and homeostasis
Description: This activity allows students to determine the effects of exercise on different blood pressure parameters and explain how physical activity affects heart rate and blood flow through the cardiovascular system. Students work in pairs to measure blood pressure before and after exercise (or deliberate quiet and still time).
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 3 Biology (homeostasis)
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 1 hour
Please note: We can accommodate groups up to 40 people
Biology: DNA extraction
Description: The process of DNA extraction, purification and visualisation is explained before students perform a basic DNA extraction of their own cheek cells (salt, detergent, and alcohol method). Students are then shown how to use micropipettes to load a DNA gel electrophoresis chamber. If available, a completed DNA gel is shown.
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 1 hour
Please note: This activity can be altered to include different levels of genetics knowledge. We can accommodate groups up to 60 people
Biology: Urinalysis
Description: Does your patient have diabetes or are they healthy? In this simple lab students use glucose dipsticks to test different (fake) urine samples and diagnose their patients. This activity is often run in conjunction with other activities.
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 30 minutes
Please note: Appropriate for secondary school level students. We can accommodate groups up to 60 people
Chemistry: Hands-on spectroscopy
Description: A chance for students to record NMR and IR spectra, and use these to determine the molecular structure of simple organic molecules.
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 3 Chemistry - Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic data in chemistry
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 2-3 hours
Chemistry: Titration workshop
Description:
- Determine the hypochlorite content in bleach with iodometric titration.
Please note: this workshop is only suitable for students who have previously done Titrations - Determine vitamin C content in juice.
Please note: this workshop is only suitable for students who have previously done Titrations - Carry out a simple acid-base titration
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 3 Chemistry – Carry out an investigation in chemistry involving quantitative analysis
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 2-3 hours
Chemistry - Orange oil distillation
Description: Set up a distillation apparatus and extract limonene from orange peel
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 1 Chemistry and Biology – Demonstrate understanding of how the physical properties of materials inform their use.
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 2-3 hours
Earth Sciences: Geological processes and rocks of the central North Island
Description: The landscape of the central North Island has evolved over the last 150-200 million years through a diverse array of geological process, creating the distinct rocks and features that we see today. Students will explore the origins of the Zealandia continent, deposition and erosion of cover rock sequences and how the different rock types are connected through the rock cycle.
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 2 Earth and Space Science – Investigate geological processes locally in New Zealand
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 2-3 hours
Earth Sciences: Materials for radiometric dating
Description: A practical overview of radiometric dating techniques and the materials used, including zircons for U-Pb dating and various carbon-based materials for radiocarbon dating.
Curriculum supported: NCEA Level 3 Earth and Space Science - Investigate the evidence related to dating geological event(s)
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 2-3 hours
Year 7-11
Biology: DNA Extraction from Strawberries
Description: Learn how to reach into a strawberry and extract the essence of life - DNA! In this session we will run you through an easy way to see what DNA actually looks like, and host you in our state of the art teaching laboratories.
Campus: Tauranga
Duration: 1 hour
Please note: We can accommodate groups up to 30 people. Limited availability from March - September
Biology: It’s all in your head
Description: How good is your attention? How fast is your reaction time? Does drinking something with caffiene change your abilities? Are you easier to train than a pet? This activity asks these questions and more through a series of short activities.
Campus: Hamilton
Please note: This is a highly adaptable activity that can be altered to suit both time requirements (30 minutes – 2 hours) and the ages of students (recommended for ages 10+)
Earth Sciences: Using sediments to look back in time
Description: A practical introduction to how scientists use the layers in sediment cores to decipher what Earth's surface looked like in the past, from decades to millions of years ago.
Curriculum supported: Planet Earth and Beyond; Nature of Science
Campus: Hamilton
Duration: 1 hour
Marine Science: Marine Invaders Game
Description: Marine Invaders is a survival of the fittest card game, where your species will fight other species to be the last one standing. Based on local taonga species against invasive species here and yet to come, this game uses ecological principles to highlight species interactions in the unique ecological niche that is Aotearoa.
Optional computer based activity where you create your own "Wanted Poster" using Canva.
Campus: Tauranga
Duration: 2 hours
Please note: We can accommodate groups up to 30 people. Limited availability from March - September
Year 1 - 6
Earth Sciences: Fire Breathers-Exploring the mysteries of volcanoes
Description: All things volcanoes! Practical and engaging activities exploring the internal structure of the Earth and the geological processes that drive different types of volcanic eruptions and the rocks they produce.
Curriculum supported: Planet Earth and Beyond - Earth systems (levels 5-6)
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Earth Sciences: Don’t call me dirt!
Description: Soil is the most underappreciated, non-renewable resource on our planet. It a vital component of Earth’s ecosystem that supports human life by helping to provide food, storing water and nutrients and regulating our climate. But no two soils are ever the same. This activity explores the physical properties and structure of soils and how they change in our landscape.
Curriculum supported: Planet Earth and Beyond –
Earth Systems (levels 3-4)
Duration: 45-60 minutes