A visit to the Science Roadshow is a fun, exciting and interactive learning experience of science for children.
It includes live shows and hands-on exhibits that broaden students knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It strongly supports the Nature of Science strand and the Five Foundational Science Capabilities.
Each year our shows, themes and exhibits change, so there's always something new for students to learn and engage with.
The Science Roadshow is a mobile science discovery centre. Annually it travels the the length of New Zealand in a 15 metre truck and trailer, bringing a range of cool interactive science and technology exhibits into communities. The mission of the Science Roadshow is to support science education in New Zealand schools through science outreach.
Astronomy — Te mātai arorangi
Sparks, Arcs and Gherkins — Te whakaari māpura, tāwhana, kamoriki hoki The dynamics of electricity
Wonderful Water — Te whakaari wai mīharo The amazing properties of water and how it cycles through our world
A school visit to the Roadshow lasts for 70 minutes and is divided into three sections:
First show — As each session begins your students may be joined by those from other schools, depending on numbers. One of our two shows is then presented to the entire group. This takes around 15 minutes.
Exhibit interaction — Each of our exhibits is set up around the hall according to its theme. Your students will have approximately 40 minutes to explore each of the activities. To help them out, each exhibit has a context board which includes information about how to use the exhibit, the science behind it, and where such things occur in everyday life. A number of the exhibits also have student explainers — senior students from the host school, who are there to assist visiting students gain the most from their Roadshow experience.
Second show — The second of our two shows is now presented, then your students return to school.
All teachers who book and bring students to the Roadshow can find free resources that complement a visit to the Science Roadshow. Our resources are focussed on enhancing student learning outcomes through pre and post visit activities. We also have a ready to use unit plan.
$9 per student, accompanying teachers and adults free.
Rocks and minerals — Ngā toka me ngā kohuke
Mighty Materials — Physical and chemical properties of substances, such as metals and fabrics, and how these are put to use in everyday applications.
Sounding Out Waves — The characteristics of sound such as pitch, volume, how fast it travels, what substances it travels through, how it travels and the many effects these have on things we can or cannot hear.
A school visit to the Roadshow lasts for 70 minutes and is divided into three sections:
First show — As each session begins your students may be joined by those from other schools, depending on numbers. One of our two shows is then presented to the entire group. This takes around 15 minutes.
Exhibit interaction — Each of our exhibits is set up around the hall according to its theme. Your students will have approximately 40 minutes to explore each of the activities. To help them out, each exhibit has a context board which includes information about how to use the exhibit, the science behind it, and where such things occur in everyday life. A number of the exhibits also have student explainers — senior students from the host school, who are there to assist visiting students gain the most from their Roadshow experience.
Second show — The second of our two shows is now presented, then your students return to school.
All teachers who book and bring students to the Roadshow get comprehensive and complimentary resources that offers stimulating classroom ready activities for pre- and post-visit classroom experiences, including a complete science unit. These experiences and resources will provide support for your learning programme(s).
$10 per student, accompanying teachers and adults free.