Try out these well tested programmes, which are already annual features on the calendar for dozens of New Zealand schools. If you're keen to offer your students some fantastic EOTC to consolidate classroom learning, develop field skills, provide opportunities for assessment, insight into career and study opportunities or simply an experience to "switch them on" to your subject, get in touch to find out more.

Biodiversity: Conserve and Reserve

A one to four day programme to switch your Year 12 and 13 students on to the thrills of Biology as well as giving them an insight into career and study options. This is our single most popular programme... get in touch to find out more.

Book now for 2010: the calendar is already filling up for term one

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 3.1, 3.2
Science 2.2

Activities to choose from

Rocky shore exploration and data collection
Snorkel or glass-bottom boat ride in Goat Island Marine Reserve
Behaviour studies of birds or fish
Experimental work in Marine Lab
Slide shows/ presentations on marine biological themes
Marine reserve planning activity and public meeting role play
Visit shore birds reserve
Day trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island (Open sanctuary for endangered wildlife)
Visit Kelly Tarlton’s (Marine Aquarium)
Mussel barge trip + surveys of mussels on lines and fishing, if time
Dive or snorkel the Poor Knights Marine reserve
Presentations and tours at research facilities

Tongariro National Park

A two to four day programme for years 12 and 13. This works very well for mixed groups of science and geography students. Have a look.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology AS 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2
Science AS 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2

Activities to choose from

Choose from:Audiovisual and exhibition at Whakapapa DOC centre (introduction to park ecology, geology and management)
Presentations or discussions on Park management issues: human impacts, introduced and endangered species, volcanic hazards
Beech forest ecology
Studies of altitudinal zonation of key plant species and succession on lava flows
Discussion of adaptive radiation
Guided walks to mountain bogs, glacial valleys, Lord of the Rings filming sites, volcanoes
Walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (November to April)
Hot swim
White water raft the Tongariro river for a new perspective on park geology and ecology get in touch to find out more.

Biology 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 3.1, 3.2
Science 2.2

Activities to choose from

Rocky shore exploration and data collection
Snorkel or glass-bottom boat ride in Goat Island Marine Reserve
Behaviour studies of birds or fish
Experimental work in Marine Lab
Slide shows/ presentations on marine biological themes
Marine reserve planning activity and public meeting role play
Visit shore birds reserve
Day trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island (Open sanctuary for endangered wildlife)
Visit Kelly Tarlton’s (Marine Aquarium)
Mussel barge trip + surveys of mussels on lines and fishing, if time
Dive or snorkel the Poor Knights Marine reserve
Presentations and tours at research facilities

Tongariro National Park

A two to four day programme for years 12 and 13. This works very well for mixed groups of science and geography students. Have a look.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology AS 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2
Science AS 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2

Activities to choose from

Choose from:Audiovisual and exhibition at Whakapapa DOC centre (introduction to park ecology, geology and management)
Presentations or discussions on Park management issues: human impacts, introduced and endangered species, volcanic hazards
Beech forest ecology
Studies of altitudinal zonation of key plant species and succession on lava flows
Discussion of adaptive radiation
Guided walks to mountain bogs, glacial valleys, Lord of the Rings filming sites, volcanoes
Walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (November to April)
Hot swim
White water raft the Tongariro river for a new perspective on park geology and ecology

Mud, Glorious Mud

A day of activities and surveys to help Year 7 to 13 students appreciate the richness and complexity of mudflat ecosystems.

Tauranga Harbour:

intertidal zone

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology AS 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 3.1, 3.2
Science AS 2.2

Activities to choose from

Guided exploration
Identification game (juniors) to learn important species.
Games (juniors) to gain appreciation of relationships.
Monitoring of crab/bird behaviour.
Transects to survey population and community patterns and investigate the ecological niches of chosen species
Collection of physical data eg; exposure, mud texture, temperature variation
Discussion of human impacts on estuaries

Bush Communities

A programme for years 7 to 13 promoting understanding of bush ecology, management of endangered species and their fascinating ecological niches.

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology: AS 1.4, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 3.1, 3.2
AS Science 2.2

Activities to choose from

Guided exploration to learn key species and understand the bush environment
Data collection: transect/stratification
Games/activities (juniors) to improve knowledge of New Zealand forest species and their relationships
Make plant cuttings /plant trees (depending on season)
Discussion of environmental management to reduce human impacts.
Ferry ride to Mokoia Island or Tiritiri Matangi Island. Guided walk and bird watching.
Guided tour of NZ animal park
Presentation on Operation Nest Egg (Kiwi conservation)
Falconry display. (NZ Falcon conservation strategy)
Stream study

Rangitoto Island

This is a biological jewel as well as a fascinating venue geologically. It’s easy to fill a whole day. Year Levels 7 to 13

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Biology AS 1.4, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 3.1, 3.2
Science AS 2.2

Activities to choose from

Ferry from Auckland
Introductory discussion on the geology, ecologiy and history of Rangitoto
Guided walk to summit
Discussion of succession on lava flows, adaptation to this extreme environment, plants in unexpected niches, management of human impacts.
Data collection: Transects and quadrats, Comparison of communities
Explore lava caves
Games/activities (juniors) to improve knowledge of New Zealand forest species and their relationships.

Precious as Gold

Occurrence, extraction and use of gold: a one day programme for years 10 and 11

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Science AS 1.2

Activities to choose from

Explore stamper batteries and other mining relics.
Visit Hot Water Beach
Prospect and pan for gold.
Appreciate the hardships of the early gold-miners
Compare environmental management now and in the early days of NZ mining
Visit open cast and/or underground mines.

Geothermal Chemistry

A rare opportunity for year 12 and 13 chemistry students to use practical chemical techniques outside the classroom

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Chemistry AS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, (3.1)

Activities to choose from

Guided Tour of thermal site
Qualitative analysis of water from hot pools (samples collected under careful supervision)
Quantitative analysis of spa and thermal pool water samples
Test gas content of steam from fumaroles
Discuss properties of geothermal mud in relation to cosmetic medical uses
Analysis of mud samples
Discuss park management and safety issues.

Paper Making: the 21st Century

This programme, for year 10 to 13 students, focuses on environmental impact minimisation as well as the paper-making process.

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Chemistry AS 1.2, 2.4, 2.7 (chlorine chemistry)

Activities to choose from

Safety briefing & introduction
Tour of paper mill.
Discussion with control centre personnel
Overview of chemistry of chemical production and recovery on site
Bus tour of environmental management facilities, including oxidation ponds
Simple tests on before and after samples from the Tarawera river

Energy

Energy transformations and efficiencies for years 9 to 11

New Zealand Curriculum and Assessment

Physics AS 1.4,1.5

Activities to choose from

Measure heat capacity of geothermal mud
Power station visit
Collect geothermal data
Collect data and construct distance time graph
Compare efficiencies of potential, kinetic and electrical energy transformations.
Discussion with engineer
Enjoy cable car and luge runs