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


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


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

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 min – 2 hr) 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

Book one of these science outreach activities for your class.