Summer! A wonderful time of year to explore science – UV light, solar power, beaches, the rocky shore, fire risks and more. Have a look at our articles, activities and interactives about all things Summer.

Radio New Zealand has a collection of items relating to summer science here: https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/collections/summer-science

Click the copy icon to add this collection to your own collections so you can change the order, add your own notes, share with others etc. Find out more in our article Creating collections.

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UV beads can be purchased from lots of different websites. Here is one link: http://www.electroflash.co.nz/products/view/603 (prices GST exclusive).

It is ideal for students to complete the activities in Using heat energy (https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1751-using-heat-energy) to gain a good understanding of the principles involved to successfully complete this activity.

Teachers should also read the article Using solar energy (https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1747-using-solar-energy) for a more ... Expand note

This intro article curates articles and information regarding solar energy. It also links to a unit plan.

Use this to explore socio-scientific issues, too. What impact may climate change have on summer fire risks?

Making ice cream models the scientific process of investigation (nature of science – investigating in science) through the design of simple experiments that explore the variables involved in ice cream making. This activity models the way scientists can work methodically to investigate the answers to their questions.

This article has an interactive monarch butterfly life cycle. This activity explores the white butterfly life cycle. https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/701-white-butterfly-life-cycle
Really interesting to compare and contrast the two. Great for observation and discussion. Added benefit - you never run out of caterpillar food ... Expand note

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Summer is the time you notice mosquitoes more – join in the New Zealand Mosquito Census and help scientists at Te Papa learn more about the various mosquitos in Aotearoa.

Consider ways to turn this into a 'gather and interpret data' and 'use evidence' capabilities experience. Ask students to sit somewhere quietly (and safely) at school or at home and record the number of wasps they observe in a 5 minute period.
Are there some parts of the school or neighbourhood where they are more abundant? Why?

Use the summer period to try a citizen science project.

This RNZ story has lots of ideas https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018915808/call-for-summer-time-citizen-scientists-at-the-beach

Browse the wide range of projects in our Citizen science section here: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/citizen\_science