Working with schools

Science Centres: Atmosphere

We sponsor regional science and technology fairs around New Zealand and support learning programmes that bring science into the classroom.

NIWA Interactive Room at Kelly Tarlton's

The NIWA Interactive Room at Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium in Auckland was opened to the public in 2005. The room provides interactive activities for children aged 5 to 10 years on marine biodiversity and ecosystems, focusing on both the ocean and Antarctic environments. Over 60,000 children visit the room each year, most as part of organised school trips.

Kelly Tarlton's website

Science fairs

NIWA is the major sponsor for regional science and technology fairs in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Nelson. Sponsorship is part of our long-term commitment to both promoting the importance of science and technology in our lives and enhancing its profile as a career option for young New Zealanders.

Science and Technology Fairs

GLOBE

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment is an international, hand-on programme that allows students, teachers and scientists to collaborate on environmental science projects and investigations. NIWA supports GLOBE through its involvement in the programme’s advisory committee.

GLOBE website

SEREAD

NIWA provides support for SEREAD (Scientific Educational Resource and Experience Associated with the Deployment of Argo floats in the South Pacific Ocean). SEREAD is tasked with bringing the science of the Argo programme into the classroom. (Argo floats are submersible devices that measure upper ocean salinity and temperature.) NIWA scientists help provide expertise for the SEREAD programme.

Argo website

NIWA publications

NIWA produces a number of publications directed at the education of the wider public. Water & Atmosphere, our flagship publication, is distributed to schools, local bodies and a wide range of other institutions. Selected articles include a note to show how they relate to the New Zealand school curriculum. Specialist publications such as Aquaculture Update and Biodiversity Update are industry-focused with a strong educational message. Our publications are available in print and online:

NIWA posters

NIWA publishes a series of high-quality, informative posters intended for classroom use and these are available to schools nationwide.

Order a poster