
Technological Knowledge
Levels 1 to 4

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Coming Soon!

Related Topics
Resources

Build up your science with the “Architecture” show.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNgqqRgR0w
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Architecture
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Build up your science with the “Architecture” show.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNgqqRgR0w

Bicycles is the topic for this book because bikes are familiar to children from most cultures and also because they allow easy investigation into the concepts of levers, friction, and motion.
Level
3-4
Type
Activity Book
Bikes: Levers, Friction, and Motion
Ministry of Education NZ
Bicycles is the topic for this book because bikes are familiar to children from most cultures and also because they allow easy investigation into the concepts of levers, friction, and motion.

Bill Nye the Science Guy has downloaded the “Computers” episode into his Random Access Memory.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/1_en0xw8er
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Computers
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Bill Nye the Science Guy has downloaded the “Computers” episode into his Random Access Memory.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/1_en0xw8er

This article outlines the process of building a traditional wharenui, including a description of the materials and building techniques used and an explanation of the symbolism and spiritual significance of the wharenui. It also explains how and why processes and materials used to construct wharenui are changing.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2011 Level 2: ‘Building a Wharenui’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article outlines the process of building a traditional wharenui, including a description of the materials and building techniques used and an explanation of the symbolism and spiritual significance of the wharenui. It also explains how and why processes and materials used to construct wharenui are changing.

During the Christchurch earthquake, the Christchurch cathedral was so badly damaged it couldn’t be used. Therefore, the people in charge of the cathedral worked with architects, engineers, and builders to build an innovative new temporary cathedral.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2014 Level 2: ‘The Cardboard Cathedral’
Ministry of Education NZ
During the Christchurch earthquake, the Christchurch cathedral was so badly damaged it couldn’t be used. Therefore, the people in charge of the cathedral worked with architects, engineers, and builders to build an innovative new temporary cathedral.

Christchurch students from years 7 to 13 entered the Amazing Place City Project competition. They were asked to design an amazing place to help make Christchurch the best small city in the world. The year 7 winning team tested their ideas and used evidence to show that the ideas could really work.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2014 Level 3: ‘Rebuilding Christchurch with...
Ministry of Education NZ
Christchurch students from years 7 to 13 entered the Amazing Place City Project competition. They were asked to design an amazing place to help make Christchurch the best small city in the world. The year 7 winning team tested their ideas and used evidence to show that the ideas could really work.

Mr Tuala’s class have lost the Boat Float competition and they want to figure out why. By learning more about density (and how it relates to floating a boat), they critique their original boat designs and use what they have learned to design and build new, more successful boats.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2015 Level 4: ‘A Sinking Feeling’
Ministry of Education NZ
Mr Tuala’s class have lost the Boat Float competition and they want to figure out why. By learning more about density (and how it relates to floating a boat), they critique their original boat designs and use what they have learned to design and build new, more successful boats.

Students at Wilford School in Petone were shocked to discover the amount of rubbish finding its way onto their local beach. Find out how they investigated the issue by using traps to collect the rubbish entering the stormwater system.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2017 Level 2: ‘Down the Drain’
Ministry of Education NZ
Students at Wilford School in Petone were shocked to discover the amount of rubbish finding its way onto their local beach. Find out how they investigated the issue by using traps to collect the rubbish entering the stormwater system.

Balaclava School has a new greenhouse called the Living Room. The students find out how the environment inside the Living Room helps plants grow during the cold Dunedin winters and investigate which vegetables grow best inside and outside its unique climate.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2017 Level 2: ‘Gardening in the Living Room’
Ministry of Education NZ
Balaclava School has a new greenhouse called the Living Room. The students find out how the environment inside the Living Room helps plants grow during the cold Dunedin winters and investigate which vegetables grow best inside and outside its unique climate.

The Samoan village of Sa’anapu is under threat from tsunamis, cyclones, and rising sea levels. To protect their village, the Council of Matai are working with an architect and scientist from New Zealand. Together, they’re drawing on cultural, scientific, and technological knowledge to build a safer future for Sa’anapu.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2017 Level 3: ‘Building for the Future’
Ministry of Education NZ
The Samoan village of Sa’anapu is under threat from tsunamis, cyclones, and rising sea levels. To protect their village, the Council of Matai are working with an architect and scientist from New Zealand. Together, they’re drawing on cultural, scientific, and technological knowledge to build a safer future for Sa’anapu.

Air pollution is a problem in many cities, including Christchurch. After the 2011 earthquake, a team of researchers used technology and big data to help make Christchurch a healthier, smarter city to live in.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2017 Level 4: ‘Sensing Data’
Ministry of Education NZ
Air pollution is a problem in many cities, including Christchurch. After the 2011 earthquake, a team of researchers used technology and big data to help make Christchurch a healthier, smarter city to live in.

This article introduces and explains the concept of algorithms in a simple and engaging way. It supports understanding of this abstract concept by providing concrete examples from everyday life, mathematics, and computer programming.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2018 Level 2: ‘Amazing Algorithms’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article introduces and explains the concept of algorithms in a simple and engaging way. It supports understanding of this abstract concept by providing concrete examples from everyday life, mathematics, and computer programming.

Wellington designer Rachael Hall has developed a modern version of the traditional Tongan lali. Called Patō, Rachael’s drum keeps the traditional sound of a lali but incorporates digital capabilities. Her hope is that Patō will allow musicians to mix traditional Pacific sounds with modern music.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2018 Level 3: ‘South Pacific Beats’
Ministry of Education NZ
Wellington designer Rachael Hall has developed a modern version of the traditional Tongan lali. Called Patō, Rachael’s drum keeps the traditional sound of a lali but incorporates digital capabilities. Her hope is that Patō will allow musicians to mix traditional Pacific sounds with modern music.

Siali is selected to trial a new augmented reality device called SquareEye. While the trial starts off fun, he slowly starts to notice that SquareEye is affecting his experiences in ways he doesn’t necessarily consent to. This story, set in the not-so-distant future, explores how digital technologies can alter our experiences without us knowing.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2018 Level 3: ‘Square Eyes’
Ministry of Education NZ
Siali is selected to trial a new augmented reality device called SquareEye. While the trial starts off fun, he slowly starts to notice that SquareEye is affecting his experiences in ways he doesn’t necessarily consent to. This story, set in the not-so-distant future, explores how digital technologies can alter our experiences without us knowing.

In January 2018, New Zealand became one of only eleven countries that have successfully built and launched a rocket capable of sending satellites into space. This interview with Rocket Lab Avionics Manager Naomi Altman explains the science and technology behind that incredible achievement.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2018 Level 4: ‘Kiwis in Space’
Ministry of Education NZ
In January 2018, New Zealand became one of only eleven countries that have successfully built and launched a rocket capable of sending satellites into space. This interview with Rocket Lab Avionics Manager Naomi Altman explains the science and technology behind that incredible achievement.

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.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2019 Level 2: ‘Kimihia Kermit’
Ministry of Education NZ
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.

In 2018, Daniel Turinsky, a student at Nelson Central School, entered a competition to design an eco-house using the computer game Minecraft. This article describes the thought processes Daniel went through as he weighed up different options to create his winning design.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2019 Level 2: ‘The House that Dan Built’
Ministry of Education NZ
In 2018, Daniel Turinsky, a student at Nelson Central School, entered a competition to design an eco-house using the computer game Minecraft. This article describes the thought processes Daniel went through as he weighed up different options to create his winning design.

This article follows a class project that students conducted after their teacher challenged them to find out how the smell gets into a scented candle. In the process, they learned about distillation, states of matter, and what it takes to become scientists and technologists.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 2: ‘Making Scents’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article follows a class project that students conducted after their teacher challenged them to find out how the smell gets into a scented candle. In the process, they learned about distillation, states of matter, and what it takes to become scientists and technologists.

This article demonstrates how students at Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate School designed a technological device to solve a community problem – how to care for the thousands of newborn kittens handed in to the SPCA each year. It encourages the reader to consider the issues, giving a model for how the same process could be applied to other problems.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 4: ‘Fostering Felines’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article demonstrates how students at Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate School designed a technological device to solve a community problem – how to care for the thousands of newborn kittens handed in to the SPCA each year. It encourages the reader to consider the issues, giving a model for how the same process could be applied to other problems.

Connected promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical literacy so that students can engage in a critical and informed manner with real-life science- and technology- related issues and authentic, context-based mathematical explorations. Connected is provided to all primary schools.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 4: ‘Pā Tūwatawata and the New Zealand Wars’
Ministry of Education NZ
Connected promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical literacy so that students can engage in a critical and informed manner with real-life science- and technology- related issues and authentic, context-based mathematical explorations. Connected is provided to all primary schools.

Students work in small groups to research energy-efficient house design and passive solar energy. They share their research findings, develop a design for an energy-efficient house and construct a model energy-efficient house from materials supplied, then explain their model to the class.
Level
3-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Design an Energy-Efficient House
Genesis School-Gen
Students work in small groups to research energy-efficient house design and passive solar energy. They share their research findings, develop a design for an energy-efficient house and construct a model energy-efficient house from materials supplied, then explain their model to the class.

If a major earthquake hits your city it's important to have a plan ready to handle the situations that arise. Get students to design and build appropriate emergency vehicles as part of this earthquake lesson plan.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Earthquake!
Science Kids
If a major earthquake hits your city it's important to have a plan ready to handle the situations that arise. Get students to design and build appropriate emergency vehicles as part of this earthquake lesson plan.