When we measure atmospheric pressure, we’re measuring the weight of air above us. When the droplets stick together, we get rain or snow. We measure atmospheric pressure with an instrument called a “barometer”. Build your own!

Make your own Moon model and see the phases change for yourself.

Two Pukeko chicks, Beaky and Bluey, get the chance to star in a TV commercial about energy efficiency. Their mother Ko is trained to turn off a light switch, but this is just the start. She explains the benefits of renewable energy. She also has many tips for saving energy, including energy efficient light bulbs.

Chip & Chirpy are two fantails who begin to fly up to the sun. The sun says it’s too far and suggests they learn a song instead. Chip & Chirpy learn facts about the sun and then a tree comes to life and tells them about solar energy. Two children walk by with a little dog and they all sing the song together.

It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter, or fall – Bill Nye is always in season.

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9z-aGB3atg

This is a bush-craft trick that can come in handy!

Next time you throw a ball in the air, and it doesn’t fly off into outer space, thank gravity.
Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill+Nye+Gravity/1_50ttw7hz

Don’t stay in the dark – Bill Nye will help you absorb the science of light optics.

Lighten up. It’s the “Light and Color” episode.

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5BHxozBPuA

Light is an integral part of our sense of sight. The physical phenomena of light and of how it travels form patterns that we interpret as sight and colour. These provide excellent opportunities for students to investigate the sources and nature of light.

The sun heats some colors quicker than others, find out which absorb and which reflect more light.

Comets are spectacular objects that fly through space at great speeds. Simulate the path they fly and the way they react to the extreme conditions of space in this fun lesson plan.

Use sunlight and water to make your own rainbow with this cool activity that helps explain how rainbows work.

Have you ever noticed that most plants grow towards the sunlight? Make your own plant light maze to see phototropism in action!

As we celebrate Matariki and look to the night sky it's probably the perfect time to ask the question that has been challenging star gazers for years... Why does the moon change shape?

What causes night and day? The rising of the Sun and the Moon are daily reminders of the awe and wonder, beauty and power of the universe. Studying the relationships between the Sun, Earth and Moon helps us understand how we experience day and night on Earth.

Learn about why the Sun is so important. Investigate the Sun’s heat and light energy and how it influences people on Earth.

The Sun is a dominant influence in the patterns of life on Earth. Living things are dependent on energy from the Sun, and the patterns of the Sun's appearance govern our understanding and measurement of time.

The show is way out there, way far away. After all, it’s in Outer Space.

Bill’s spacing out again… this time with the planets.

To find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow Suzy needs to find a rainbow! She enlists the help of some interesting friends, including an OLD friend - Isaac Newton!

The physical phenomena of shadows are readily observable and offer opportunities for investigating the patterns of light and how shadows vary with the movement of the Earth and Moon in relation to the Sun.

Did you know that te rā (the sun) will cast a shadow in the same direction at the same time of day, every sunny day of the year? In Aotearoa, during the middle of the day the sun is always to raki (the North), although its height changes through the year. This means it can help us tell direction, date and time!

This activity encourages the students to learn about the data coming from the solar panels and how weather and season influences their performance. The data tells the students how much electricity the solar panels are generating.