Mountains to Sea

April

In the holidays I went to a three day wananga (conference) in Whananaki which is a very pretty little town north of Whangarei (north of Auckland).  We stayed on a marae.

There were scientists, some teachers and other people who were interested in protecting our rivers and seas.  We learned about marine reserves (places where the sea life is protected from fishing), wetlands, water quality and green turtles!

We went diving and practised different methods of recording what we saw in the water.

We also practised looking at the health of a stream:

The water is poured into a clarity tube to see how clear it is.

This thermometer measures the temperature of the water.

Here we test the 'ph' of the water (how acidic it is).

We are measuring how fast the stream is flowing.

This is the equipment we use to collect the things that live in the water. 

More Wellington Science

May

35 primary and secondary teachers have been selected from around New Zealand to be part of the Royal Society programme which is put together to help us to develop science in our schools.  

Here are some of the things we do when we get together.

This exploded!

These change colour in the sun! (Just like you do).

 We looked at the different phases of the moon.

 This is how a volcanic crater is formed!

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

Adventures with bubbles.

Floating and sinking!

Melting.

 I can't wait to try some of these things at school!