NZ Maths Week
Monday 10 August – Friday 14 August
Here’s some hands-on science activity that integrates the NZ Maths and Science Curriculums for Years 1–8.
Shadow Detectives – Measuring Changing Shadows
Overview
Students investigate how shadows change during the day.
Learning Focus
Science: Earth, Sun and observable patterns
Maths: Measurement, time, graphing, identifying trends
Materials Needed
- Chalk
- Measuring tape
- Clipboard
- Recording sheet
What to do…
- Choose an object or person outside.
- Trace and measure its shadow.
- Repeat every hour.
- Record results.
- Create a line graph showing shadow length throughout the day.
Take things further…
- Compare sunny and cloudy days.
- Predict future shadow lengths.
- Create a simple sundial.
Water Warriors – Which Surface Absorbs the Most Water?
Overview
Students compare how different materials absorb water.
Learning Focus
Science: Materials and their properties
Maths: Capacity, measurement, data collection
Materials Needed
- Sponge
- Paper towel
- Cloth
- Cotton wool
- Water
- Measuring cup
What to do…
- Predict which material will absorb the most water.
- Add a measured amount of water.
- Measure how much is absorbed.
- Record results.
- Compare findings
Take things further…
- Test additional materials.
- Rank materials from most to least absorbent.
- Create a class graph.
Penny Pyramid – Surface Tension Challenge
Overview
Students investigate how many drops of water can fit on a coin.
Learning Focus
Science: Water properties
Maths: Counting, averages, data displays
Materials Needed
- Coins
- Pipettes
- Water
- Recording sheet
What to do…
- Predict the number of drops a coin can hold.
- Add drops one at a time.
- Count until the water spills.
- Repeat several trials.
- Calculate and compare results.
Take things further…
- Compare different coins.
- Test soapy water.
- Calculate class averages.
Hot Spot Hunt – Measuring Temperature Around the School
Overview
Students investigate which locations around the school are the warmest and coolest.
Learning Focus
Science: Heat energy, sunlight, materials
Maths: Measurement, data collection, averages, graphing
Materials Needed
- Thermometers (digital or infrared if available)
- Recording sheets
- Clipboards
What to do…
- Predict the warmest and coolest places in the school.
- Measure temperatures in different locations:
- Asphalt
- Grass
- Concrete
- Under trees
- Indoors
- Record the temperature at each location.
- Compare results.
- Create a bar graph of the data.
Take things further…
- Measure at different times of the day.
- Calculate the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures.
- Investigate why some surfaces are warmer than others.
Floating Freight Challenge – How Much Can Your Boat Carry?
Overview
Students design a simple boat and investigate how much mass it can carry before sinking.
Learning Focus
Science: Floating and sinking, buoyancy
Maths: Counting, mass, comparison, data collection
Materials Needed
- Aluminium foil
- Containers of water
- Counters, marbles or coins
- Recording sheet
What to do…
- Create a boat from a single sheet of foil.
- Predict how many objects it will hold.
- Add counters one at a time.
- Record how many are held before the boat sinks.
- Compare designs across the class.
Take things further…
- Redesign and improve the boat.
- Calculate class averages.
- Compare different boat shapes.