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: Tauranga
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
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
- Determine vitamin C content in juice
- 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: Determination of Vitamin C Content in Juice Using Titration
Description: Design a hypothesis for what factors may alter vitamin C content in juice, and then your students can use the state of the art University Laboratory facility in Tauranga to carry out their titrations.
Campus: Tauranga
Duration: All day activity
Please note: Bookable by Chemistry secondary school teachers only. Limited availability from March - September
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
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
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.
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.