As this year is online, there are 7 topics that students may chose from. This is open to all exhibitors from Years 7 through to 13 inclusive…
TOPIC 1: Living World and Physical World including Planet Earth and Beyond
Sponsored by the Geoscience Society of NZ and the Auckland Branch of the Geology Club and Northern Benchtops Ltd
The living world strand is about…..
- Living things and how they interact with each other and the environment.
- An understanding of the diversity of life and life processes, of where and how life has evolved, of evolution as the link between life processes and ecology,
- The impact of humans on all forms of life.
- Make more informed decisions about significant biological issues.
- The sustainability of New Zealand’s unique fauna and flora and distinctive ecosystems.
The planet earth and beyond is about….
- The interconnecting systems and processes of the Earth, the other parts of the solar system and the universe beyond.
- Earth’s subsystems of geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life) are interdependent
- How humans can affect this interdependence in both positive and negative ways.
TOPIC 2: Dairy Industry and Primary Industry
Sponsored by Fonterra Northland Operations, Farmlands, New Zealand Baking Industry Research Trust and NZ Institute of Food Science & Technology
Project demonstrates a scientific approach within one of the following areas:
- Agriculture-Dairy and Meat and wool.
- Forestry.
- Horticulture – including viticulture.
- Seafood- including aquaculture and fishing.
TOPIC 3: Mātauranga Māori
Sponsored by Northpower
Project demonstrates an integration of traditional Māori knowledge and scientific knowledge within our society.
- Traditional Māori knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) or an aspect of the traditional Māori world (Te Ao Māori)
- Linking with Te Ao Māori, Tai Ao, relating to iwi and hapu.(The principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land) are central to the project.)
TOPIC 4: Environmental Management/Conservation
Sponsored by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Forest and Bird , Bream Head Conservation Trust and the Boorer Family
Project demonstrates a strong scientific approach to solving environmental issues and concerns.
The project may include links with the following points below to the natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.
- Protection of our natural resources, organisms
- Management of human use of natural resources e.g. water, waste, smarter transport
- Preservation of natural environments
- Restoration of natural environments
- Biodiversity within our ecosystems
- Sustainability social, economic utilization, education and community initiatives
TOPIC 5: Technology
Sponsored by BDX Group Ltd , Chilltech Energy and McKay Electrical
Project demonstrates a strong scientific approach to new and innovative ways in order to help improve the environment and/or humans needs.
- The use of knowledge, skills and practices for exploration and within specific areas.
- These can include digitally-aided design, programming, software development, various forms of technological modelling, and visual literacy – the ability to make sense of images and the ability to make images that make sense.
- Key criteria’s: Innovation, enterprise, sustainability and design.
TOPIC 6: Pure Science (Maths, Chemistry & Physics)
Sponsored by Airzone and BDX Group Ltd
Project demonstrates a strong scientific approach within the mathematics, chemistry and /or physics field.
Mathematics
- Exploration and use of patterns and mathematical relationships in quantities, space and time and in data.
- Project communicates these patterns and relationships.
- Models may be used to represent both real-life and hypothetical situations.
- Situations may include any social, cultural, scientific, technological, health, environmental and economic contexts.
Chemistry
- Shows understandings of the composition and properties of matter, the changes it undergoes, and the energy involved.
- Shows the fundamental properties of chemistry to make sense of the world around them.
- Interpret their observations by considering the properties and behaviour of atoms, molecules, and ions.
- Communicate their understandings, using the symbols and conventions of chemistry.
- Integrates their chemistry knowledge/findings to science-related challenges, such as environmental sustainability and the development of new materials, pharmaceuticals, and sources of energy, chemical reactions within organisms.
Physics
- Includes wide range of physical phenomena e.g. light, sound, heat, electricity, magnetism, waves, forces, and motion.
- Uses physics ideas relating to contemporary issues and challenges giving potential technological solutions.
TOPIC 7: Health
Sponsored by The Northland Branch of the New Zealand Dental Association, Northland District Health Board – Public Health, Activ8 Northland and Visualeyz Boutique Optometry.
Project demonstrates a strong scientific approach relating to health related issues.
- Health-related contexts: mental, food and nutrition, body care and physical safety, physical activity, sport studies, outdoor education.
- Reflects on the nature of well-being and how to promote it to those around them of their communities of their environments (including natural environments), and of the wider society.