Secondary Science classroom resources

These curriculum-linked classroom resources are printable and free to use for educational purposes.

Biology

Does moonlight affect fish larvae growth? - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Ecology, evolution, genetics, conservation, migration, research design, cognitive bias
Full article

Oestrogen sensitivity in Kākāpō - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Ecology, evolution, genetics, conservation.

Red leaves or green leaves: Striking a balance in mountain horopito - Suitable for NCEA Levels 1,2, and 3.
Topics covered: Plant biology, evolution, research design.

Can male robins cater to their mates food preferences? - Suitable for NCEA Levels 1,2, and 3.
Topics covered: Parenting strategies, animal behaviour, courtship, research design

The discovery of a new species of petrel - Suitable for NCEA Levels 1,2, and 3
Topics covered: Species definitions, conservation, data interpretation

Male-biased parasitism in trees - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3
Topics covered: Plant biology, study design, applied algebra, parasitism.


Chemistry

Speeding up bone healing with organic chemistry - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Organic chemistry, synthesis.

Moles and Avogadro's Number - Suitable for Years 7 and up.
Topics covered: Physical chemistry, units of measurement, reactions, science history.

Aluminium battery technology - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Electrochemistry, redox reactions, physical chemistry

Cancer fighting compounds in sponges - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Organic chemistry, synthesis, natural chemical compounds

Synthetic biology - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3
Topics covered: Cell and molecular biology, organic chemistry, genetic modification, natural chemical compounds, enzymes

Printable solar cells - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3
Topics covered: Organic chemistry, renewable energy, material science, photoelectric effect


Physics

Geomagnetic storms and their effects on pipelines - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Induction, electromagnetism, reactions, infrastructure.

Stellar formation and the hidden hydrogen - Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Topics covered: Stellar formation, space exploration, telescope technology


Geography

Imagining Decolonised Cities - Suitable for Year 9 and up.
Topics covered: Colonisation, urban design, Te Ao Māori, community engagement, project planning


Environment and Earth Science

The problem with the Manawatu Gorge's geology - Suitable for Year 3 and up.
Topics covered: Geology, fault lines, erosion, engineering.

Hot water discovery at the Alpine Fault - Suitable for Years 4 and up.
Topics covered: Geothermal activity, geology, fault lines, human impact.


Psychology

Loneliness in New Zealand - Suitable for NCEA Level 2 and 3
Topics covered: Research design, mental health, mental health treatment, classification. Data from Study Three

Facial Processing and Portrait Artistry - Suitable for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3.
Topics covered: Research design, face processing.

How Psychopathology affects Peer Relationships - Suitable for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3.
Topics covered: Research design, mental illness, peer relationships


Mathematics and Statistics

Large Data Sets

These are real data sets for students to use for statistical analysis.

New Zealand Food Price Index - 2006 to 2017
Tracks average amounts paid by households over time.

Meningococcal Rates in New Zealand and the UK - 1999 to 2015
These are reported cases by health providers.

Traffic Offenses in New Zealand by age and gender from 2014 to 2017
Collected from the New Zealand Police database.

Video Game Sales from 1985 to 2015
Grouped by Genre, Region, Platform, and Publisher.

Wasp Abundance in the UK and New Zealand - 1972 to 2010
Individual wasps were counted in the UK, while nests were counted in New Zealand.

NIWAs 'Seven-station' series temperature data - 1909 to 2016
Average temperatures and anomalies from seven permanent weather stations.