Inquiry learning resource for Years 5-8 students that builds students' citizenship competencies in response to transport issues.

How is the Pacific Ocean doing? Is it in good health? The crews of seven voyaging canoes have been finding out. What did they observe?

The focus in this issue of Connected is on the Nature of Science strand of the curriculum and the science capability: Gather and interpret data.

In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.

Scientists are detectives. They try to solve the mysteries of nature. They use all their senses to find out what life, the world, and the universe are up to.

Room 3 has its own bird “takeaway table”, stocked with delicious bird food. The table is visited by over 13 different bird species. Room 3 reports on the study that made this happen.

In 1880, when Alice McKenzie was 7 years old, she saw a large, blue bird. She thought the bird was a takahē. What if it wasn’t?

The focus in this issue of Connected is on the Nature of Science strand of the curriculum and the science capability:
Use evidence to support ideas.

Nathan Burkepile is a scientist who wants to know what kind of pond ducks like best. Volunteers (citizen scientists) from around the country collect data for Nathan to analyse. Nathan works with the citizen scientists to make sure that the data they collect is reliable.

The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.

This article describes how Ngāti Mutunga and students from Uruti, Mimi, and Urenui schools are working with scientists to find out which frogs are still living in their rohe (local area). It provides an opportunity for students to understand how scientific, local, and cultural knowledge can contribute to an investigation.

This article follows a science project conducted by students in three Dunedin schools. The topic – investigating which inner city ecosystem supports the most insects and invertebrates – should appeal to most students. The article demonstrates how to conduct a scientific investigation. It also emphasises the importance of communicating your findings so people can take action.

Why not conduct a scientific survey of the crab population on your local shoreline and develop your student's investigative attitudes.

My, what big teeth you have… Find out how the physical features of dinosaurs and other animals help them meet their basic survival needs. Use this new understanding to design a defence against a dinosaur attack!

Who, what, where, why and how are powerful question words.

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7dh3EdCEHE

Use this resource to experience birds in your school grounds or another local green space.

Display this poster in your classroom to highlight the relevant phase of the 5E model by affixing the arrow with blu-tac and moving it down the poster as the students progress through the inquiry.

Display these posters in your staff room or learning areas to inform school-wide communication, collaboration, and implementation of the Primary Connections 5E teaching and learning model.

Johnny gives you some great tips & tricks that will help to take some awesome photos, and there are a couple of prizes up for grabs!

Find out about energy and electricity. Which appliances and devices around you use electrical energy?

Use this resource to investigate introduced predators in your school grounds or another local green space.

Use this resource to investigate weeds in your school grounds or another local green space.

In this activity, students find out about heat energy, how their classroom is heated and how to keep it warm.