Our Initiatives
He waka eke noa -
We're all in this together
Since its inception, Science Alive has established a range of charitable initiatives to support our mission and vision. From being on the ground in schools to the creation of online resources - we are proud to support so many impactful projects that align with our kaupapa.
Find out about some of our wonderful partners below:
The Science Roadshow
‘The science roadshow offers school children, their teachers and accompanying parents and wider public visitors an opportunity to explore various science and technology concepts by “touch and feel”’
Science Alive and The Science Roadshow share a joint mission to provide quality interactive learning experiences in science, technology and innovation to Aotearoa, New Zealand.
MOTAT
In 2023 The Musuem of Technolgy & Transport and Science Alive joined forces in a Magic partnership to further the mission on inspiring innovators of tomorrow.
Science Alive has worked with MOTAT to sponsor the ‘Science Alive Te Manawa – Magic Box’ a unique interactive STEM focused space that can play host to a range of learning and experiences. The multipurpose structure will be housed in the MOTAT’s new Sci Tech centre of which Science Alive is a proud sponsor.
Education Perfect
Partnering in 2020 to provide future focussed, curriculum aligned resources to all schools across the country, Science Alive Mātauranga has been used in over 550 schools to date.
On a mission to inspire young learners to develop 21st century skills that will equip them for the jobs of the future, this cross curricular content is not only relevant and engaging but completely free to all learners across Aotearoa at no cost!
Initiatives, collabs and networks:
Bring Earth, Space And Ice To Your Christchurch Classroom!
Kids in Space is an educational programme that can come to your school and spend half a day inspiring kids about all things aerospace.
What should we expect?
A fun and interactive science programme with an adaptable educator right in your classroom.
- Interactive discussion and demonstrations
- Inflatable space models
- Powerpoint and videos
- Astronaut flight suits dress up
- Samples of astronaut food from NASA
- STEAM activities subject to age groups – robotics, straw rockets, space shuttle gliders, planet plates, planet crowns, astronaut puppets, astronaut bookmarks, or other activities for senior students if you indicate your classes are Year 7 or 8
- There are media opportunities for the school to take photos of students in Astronaut Flight Suits. We will send you a photographic consent form if required.
Anne-Marie Robinson, the United States Space Camp Ambassador to New Zealand and a qualified primary school teacher, will come out to schools and present a programme of Space exploration and STEAM activities.
After the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes, some of our interactive science exhibits were donated to the International Antarctic Centre to inspire the next generation of scientific explorers and be accessible to the Christchurch community and its visitors.
Through these exhibits, people of all ages can learn about the important role Antarctica plays in scientific discovery, including fun activities focused on electricity, astronomy, and technology.
Current Exhibits May Include:
- The Air Tubes Maze – An air-powered maze that demonstrates forces and fluid dynamics
- The Wave Tank – Illustrates the breaking wave motion with coloured liquids
- The Giant Kaleidoscope – Learn more about light and reflections with this extra-large kaleidoscope that allows children to climb inside
- The Starry Nights Constellation Board – Explore the night sky
The Magnetic Observatory exhibition at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens was developed in 2021 and tells the stories of past exploration and continuing discoveries through interactive science exhibits, videos and graphics.
The Magnetic Observatory originally opened in 1901 in the Botanic Gardens as a complex of buildings devoted to magnetic, atmospheric, gravitational, seismic and celestial studies.
The observatory was famously used by both Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic teams to make magnetic surveys in preparation for their expeditions.
In keeping with the history of the site, Botanic Gardens staff use a Climatological Station right next to the old Magnetic Observatory workshop to observe air, grass and earth temperatures, wind direction and force, visibility and evaporation daily.
Visit the Magnetic Observatory at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Open Daily: 10am-4pm