This workshop will dive into the world of flawed experiments, misleading statistics, and pseudoscience.
Through engaging examples like anti-vaccine movements, fad diets, and pseudoscientific wellness trends, participants will learn to critically evaluate claims and understand the hallmarks of credible research.
You’ll leave equipped to navigate the modern information landscape.
In today’s fast-paced learning environment, efficiency is key. This workshop is designed to help educators work smarter, not harder, by streamlining STEM teaching strategies without compromising quality or engagement. SAS Solutions focuses on high-impact, time-efficient approaches that maximise student learning while reducing unnecessary workload. Participants will explore innovative lesson structures, quick-win activities, and adaptable teaching techniques that deliver powerful results in less time. We will discuss ways to simplify complex STEM concepts, integrate cross-disciplinary learning, and utilise technology to enhance both teaching and student understanding. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, educators will gain practical insights into optimising lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management to create a more effective and engaging STEM learning experience. Whether you’re looking to increase efficiency in your teaching practice, improve student outcomes, or free up time for deeper learning experiences, this workshop will provide you with the tools to do more with less.
In this workshop, we will delve into how to make a personalised local curriculum for your school. We will explore how your local area and its resources can be used as a catalyst and inspiration for curriculum development. We will work with you to incorporate your cultural narrative including tangata whenua, European settlement, other cultural stories as well as geographical aspects. This creates a curriculum that is unique to your kura and community and encompasses the amazing opportunities and connections you have locally. You will work with Bianca, an Enviro Science Teacher, who has developed local curriculums in partnership with many schools in Aotearoa.
Mara kai is usually defined as vegetable gardening but it can extend out into wild foods. We will visit sites of traditional gardens and look at the reasons these places were chosen. It may be of interest that several of these sites are on or near schools. We will go to remnant forest to learn about edible berries, drupes and other parts of plants. And look at how Maori use whakapapa relationships between all life for nutrition and sustainability.
In this practical workshop, Julian will share all sorts of ideas, do-able practical activities, resources and information for teaching a topic on earthquakes in New Zealand. We will look at why and where they occur, what it feels like to be in an earthquake, what scientists are learning about potential threats, how NZ landscapes change because of earthquakes, how scientists monitor and research them and what that teaches us about the earthquake hazard. Finally we will think about how best to prepare for a quake and what sort of things to expect if one happens.
In this experience, you’ll walk (and swim) through the steps of sharing the wonderful world of the rocky shore with your ākonga.
From marine identification, snorkeling safety and how too, to practice of snorkel surveying in a secure environment. You’ll walk away with the knowledge, skills, experience and a full unit plan with resources to help get you started right away.
Indoors for the first part, with some activities outside. Running through the ethical considerations in conservation (activities), the representation of data for projects such as 1080 application, investigating claims and creating a science communication piece.
You will cover things like: Using the learning cycle. Create a big driving question, with success criteria based on the NZC outcomes. Use learning outcomes from various strands of the curriculum. gathering knowledge (GK): From the field based or other activity and other knowledge needed. Apply the GK to answer the Big Question (this is where thinking skills comes in (Biggs Solo Taxonomy) Take action: Present in any way the students want to use. What will you get to use: You will walk away with ready to use resources for any adventures your students may want to experience. More examples my YouTube channel: Handle @problit
Enhance their ability to collaborate and work with others Notice, recognize, and respond to the diverse needs and learning styles of ākonga Foster whanaungatanga—the building and maintaining of meaningful relationships that create a sense of belonging, shared responsibility, and support within the learning community. By the end of this experience, you’ll walk away with practical skills and valuable insights you can immediately apply to your teaching practice, helping your students not only survive, but thrive, both in school and in life.
When did the first Polynesians arrive and what inspired them to search for Aotearoa? What cues did the Polynesians use before they set off to find Aotearoa? How did they prepare for such a voyage, navigate and survive during the trip? What did they find when they got here. The answers to most of these questions are hidden, but clues have been left along the way, some coming from unlikely sources. One can only marvel at these remarkable navigators.
An exciting, hands-on workshop that brings the art of a bioblitz to life. Participants will learn how to organize and conduct a bioblitz, with a special focus on catching and observing the incredible variety of critters that take to the skies. From delicate insects to dazzling winged wonders, you’ll uncover the secrets of the flying world. Perfect for educators, students, and nature enthusiasts, this workshop promises to inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the creatures that share our skies.
An engaging workshop, run by Apiculture extraordinaire Sarah C, where we dive deep into the fascinating lives of honeybees and their crucial role in pollination. Participants will learn about the biology of honeybees, their impact on our ecosystems, and the challenges they face today. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and expert insights, you’ll discover how you can contribute to bee conservation efforts and promote biodiversity in your community. Whether you’re a beginner or a bee enthusiast, this workshop will inspire you to appreciate these vital pollinators and take action to protect them.
Discover how to engage and inspire your students through virtual field trips.
See how you can create your own virtual field trip experiences without the need for specialised equipment.
In this workshop you will take part in an interactive virtual field trip and see how to plan, create, share and evaluate your own virtual field trip. See how online tools and multimedia can engage your students and take them to places they may not otherwise experience.
Explore strategies to deepen learning and inspire ākonga to take action within the context of a relevant and authentic virtual field trip.
In survival scenarios, you’re rarely alone, and this creates both unique challenges and valuable opportunities for growth. Join us for an immersive team-building experience where you’ll collaborate to create a shelter using only the natural resources provided (a perfect way to bring your local curriculum to life!). This challenge will spark your creativity, deepen your collaboration, and add a fun, slightly competitive edge!
Protection is a top priority in wilderness survival, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. While people are naturally inclined to work together, identifying your role within a team dynamic can be tricky. In this experience, you’ll discover how to leverage everyone’s strengths, navigate differences, and find common ground to achieve your goals—skills that are just as valuable in the classroom. The key competencies of Managing Self, Relating to Others, and Participating and Contributing will be at the forefront of this experiential learning activity.
This experience will not only help you build practical survival skills, but will also strengthen your resilience, communication, and problem-solving abilities as kaiako — skills that are essential for supporting your ākonga in developing their own teamwork and resilience, both in and out of the classroom.
As you reflect on how to work together effectively, you’ll gain strategies to help your students:
Enhance their ability to collaborate and work with others Notice, recognize, and respond to the diverse needs and learning styles of ākonga Foster whanaungatanga—the building and maintaining of meaningful relationships that create a sense of belonging, shared responsibility, and support within the learning community. By the end of this experience, you’ll walk away with practical skills and valuable insights you can immediately apply to your teaching practice, helping your students not only survive, but thrive, both in school and in life.
This workshop will introduce participants to the only unique form of identification in the world. The history and science behind fingerprints and how this differs from DNA profiling. The many types of powders and chemicals that can be used to develop fingerprints from a multitude of substrates. We will then introduce our very own Automated Fingerprint Identification System AFIS (The only one in private hands in the world) for you to search your develop crime prints from the mock crime scene.
We get to space with rockets and we can explore science concepts to do with rockets through water rockets.
In this workshop we will take you through a few experiments you can do with your students to explore physics and how rockets work.
Many schools have water rocket launches available so these are a fun and accessible way of getting closer to space. Water rockets are suitable for all ages from year 1 through to year 13, with many of the concepts applicable to ESS and Physics.
Original Physics Solutions is an innovative framework designed to make physics more inclusive and representative of diverse perspectives. It challenges traditional norms in physics education by fostering a more equitable academic culture where all learners feel empowered to engage with scientific concepts. Through this workshop, participants will explore effective strategies for embedding inclusivity in physics education, ensuring that diverse voices shape scientific inquiry and innovation. The session will also showcase practical tools and real-world case studies, equipping educators with actionable methods to create more equitable and engaging learning experiences.
What do you know about our endemic Canterbury butterflies? This workshop will take you on a crash course on our local butterflies and to provide you with the know-how to create habitats, identify and scientifically pin our gorgeous Lepidoptera. Learn how to get your students involved in the B5 Project and become kaitiaki of their school grounds and the wider community. Connect with butterfly experts both in Canterbury and nationally to help protect our taonga species.
Part of a series of immersive workshops set in the zoo, combining exploration, observation, and discussion to bring evolutionary concepts to life. Highlights: Explore phenomena like mimicry, trade-offs, and the role of sexual selection through observation-based activities. Prerequisite: A foundational understanding of natural selection. Takeaways: Fresh ways to integrate advanced evolutionary concepts into your curriculum. Our ‘Zoo’ workshops are for Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch Zoo’s. Registration payment includes zoo entry. For all workshops, participants will meet Hagar at the Zoo entrance. You can register for any ‘zoo’ workshop via the Christchurch, Kapiti, Taupo, Rotorua, North Auckland, Central Auckland or South Auckland Flexi Conference venues.
Part of a series of immersive workshops based on the theme “Science in the Kitchen’, combining exploration, observation, and discussion to bring Nature of Science concepts to life. Transform jam-making into a hands-on exploration of chemical and biological phenomena. Highlights: Conduct investigations into the roles of osmosis, pectin interactions, and microbial spoilage in food preservation. Design and test hypotheses in a culinary context, linking everyday processes to core scientific concepts. Takeaways: Tools for creating inquiry-based experiments that integrate the scientific method into biology and chemistry curricula. Practical activities that engage students in data collection, analysis, and presentation while fostering curiosity about everyday science.
Mara kai is usually defined as vegetable gardening but it can extend out into wild foods. We will visit sites of traditional gardens and look at the reasons these places were chosen. It may be of interest that several of these sites are on or near schools. We will go to remnant forest to learn about edible berries, drupes and other parts of plants. And look at how Maori use whakapapa relationships between all life for nutrition and sustainability.
This simple and enjoyable field trip takes us to locations along a local river. We will observe and compare the size and shape of boulders and pebbles that are eroding as they make their passage from mountains to sea. This is a great activity as it is conceptually easy to grasp but leads to many questions about landscapes, erosion, river flow, weather, different rock types and the rock cycle.
Learn how easy it is to use nature to support curriculum learning and well-being in your school green-spaces. In this experience, you’ll learn how to use nature as your classroom and co-teacher to integrate almost all curriculum areas and support wellbeing (yours and your learners). You’ll walk away with the knowledge, skills, confidence and a resource kit so you can start immediately. Our focus will be on integrating literacy, science, social science and supporting hauora through nature connection, plant identification and uses and seasonal wisdom – we’ll connect, make and create with and in nature.
Understanding river health using a SHMAK kit (or similar) and visual health assessment, and the implications for the environment. Workshop would be undertaken on-site, with a reflection back inside at the end, to summarise findings.
We will consider abiotic factors (temperature, reach dimensions, clarity, nitrogen), and biotic factors (invertebrates). This incorporates fair testing, as well as photos, measurements and tallies.
In this workshop you will learn how to engage students in the learning of science in real-world contexts relevant to our learners. The team-based, student-centred approach with opportunities for creativity, innovation, and the use of higher-order thinking. There are numerous examples: Sport Science “How does physics impact your chosen sport or recreation?’ “How does the human body adapt to perform at a higher level?”’. “ How does a formula one team/rowing team etc try to ensure a podium finish?’ Snorkelling “The protection of New Zealand’s many unique species is very important for the worlds Biodiversity. Why is this and how are we doing? Kayaking “Why should we try and help restore the Mangroves on the New Island?”
Join Phillip Robinson, “The Tsunami Guy,” for an engaging and action-packed workshop designed to boost awareness of tsunami hazards and preparedness. Through hands-on classroom activities, students will learn best practices for earthquake and tsunami resilience, including the life-saving “Drop, Cover, Hold” and “Long or Strong, Get Gone” messages. Phil will guide your school in planning and conducting a successful practice Tsunami Evacuation Hikoi, helping students map the local area, read hazard maps, and plan evacuation routes.
This program inspires critical thinking about preparedness at school and home, fostering resilience across the entire community. A must for any school in a coastal region!
Aotearoa/NZ is biologically the oldest place on this planet. A Dinosaur museum! Our native plants, insects, frogs, birds, lizards and many other creatures are the oldest in existence. Our native frogs make no noise because they are derived from the very first frogs to ever to evolve, and with only one species, they didn’t need to differentiate using sounds! In other countries Tuatara are known only as fossils but they still live here! It is an amazing heritage that dates back millions of years. The whole story is linked very closely to the Geology of NZ, Gondwanaland, the ice ages, sea level changes, volcanic activity, fault lines and of course fossils!
Explore the fascinating relationship between plants and their environment with Ruud Kleinpaste in his workshop, “How to Murder Your Plants More Slowly.” Perfect for schools with gardens or access to natural plant areas, this session dives into the challenges plants face from pests and diseases. Learn how these factors influence plant health and discover practical strategies to slow their impact. With Ruud’s signature wit and expertise, this workshop offers valuable insights for educators and students alike, fostering a deeper understanding of plant care and sustainable gardening practices.
An engaging outdoor workshop, run by bug nerd Sarah C, where students will discover the incredible variety of insects living in their environment. Participants will learn about the vital roles these creatures play in maintaining ecological balance and gain hands-on experience identifying and observing them in their natural habitats. Through interactive activities, discussions, and exploration, students will develop a deeper appreciation for these often-overlooked heroes of nature.
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Understand the global and local significance of glaciers through this interactive workshop.
Our glaciers are disappearing due to climate change and receding glaciers are a major cause of sea level rise. Loss of glacial ice also threatens our water supplies and local communities.
Discover what’s unique about New Zealand’s glaciers and the landscapes they shape. Model glacial recession and uncover the importance of these giant rivers of ice.
In survival scenarios, you’re rarely alone, and this creates both unique challenges and valuable opportunities for growth. Join us for an immersive team-building experience where you’ll collaborate to create a shelter using only the natural resources provided (a perfect way to bring your local curriculum to life!). This challenge will spark your creativity, deepen your collaboration, and add a fun, slightly competitive edge!
Protection is a top priority in wilderness survival, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. While people are naturally inclined to work together, identifying your role within a team dynamic can be tricky. In this experience, you’ll discover how to leverage everyone’s strengths, navigate differences, and find common ground to achieve your goals—skills that are just as valuable in the classroom. The key competencies of Managing Self, Relating to Others, and Participating and Contributing will be at the forefront of this experiential learning activity.
This experience will not only help you build practical survival skills, but will also strengthen your resilience, communication, and problem-solving abilities as kaiako — skills that are essential for supporting your ākonga in developing their own teamwork and resilience, both in and out of the classroom.
As you reflect on how to work together effectively, you’ll gain strategies to help your students:
Enhance their ability to collaborate and work with others Notice, recognize, and respond to the diverse needs and learning styles of ākonga Foster whanaungatanga—the building and maintaining of meaningful relationships that create a sense of belonging, shared responsibility, and support within the learning community. By the end of this experience, you’ll walk away with practical skills and valuable insights you can immediately apply to your teaching practice, helping your students not only survive, but thrive, both in school and in life.
This workshop will introduce participants to identifying the use of science in the court of law. We will discuss the legal system’s reliance on forensic science evidence in criminal cases and the admissibility of forensic evidence including discussing stated cases like the Baines, Crewe and Sounds Murders. Using fingerprint and DNA science within the court system over the years.
This workshop will examine the atmospheric column on Venus, Earth and Mars and how energy is moved around the atmospheres of these planets and the impact this has on the surface. We will also look at the movement of energy in the Sun and how this radiates out to the planets. The workshop will cover concepts such as pressure, heat transfer, the electromagnetic spectrum and gravity. It will be mainly based inside but we will observe the Sun through a Solar Telescope and make observations of sunspots and other prominent solar features. We will also look at an experiment to measure total solar flux (depending on the weather).
