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New Zealand’s National Science Challenges

As New Zealanders looking to the future, we are faced with many opportunities – and challenges. These include improving the health of all our people, advancing our economic growth, protecting our ...

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ARTICLE

Ceramics – introduction

The term ‘ceramic’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘pottery’ – these clay-based domestic wares, art objects and building products are familiar to us all – but pottery is just one part of the ...

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ARTICLE

Developing O-Sialons

Sialons – based on the elements silicon (Si), aluminium (Al), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) – are a relatively new family of advanced ceramic materials. Some have high thermal resistance, some have ...

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ACTIVITY

Promoting potato plates

In this activity, students use their knowledge of potato plates to write a letter promoting their use. Purpose This activity will help students understand product lifecycles and compare the ...

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ACTIVITY

Sialons – Ian Brown video clips

In this activity, students watch video clips of IRL research scientist Dr Ian Brown talking about sialons and then answer a series of graded questions related to the content. Rights: The ...

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ACTIVITY

Water issues

In this activity, students investigate the issues surrounding water in their local area and relate this knowledge to water issues in other countries. By the end of this activity, students should ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Litterati

Litter is everywhere – but how much is there, and why does it matter? Litterati is an online citizen science (OCS) project that allows participants to photograph, upload and tag litter in their ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Litter Intelligence

Litter Intelligence is a long-term programme run by Sustainable Coastlines in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation and Statistics New Zealand. It aims ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Global Earth Challenge

Be part of a worldwide movement and use Global Earth Challenge to submit or classify photos to help our planet’s environment and human health. Global Earth Challenge is a citizen science campaign ...

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TEACHER PLD

Designing a new product from potato starch – unit plan

Students develop their knowledge to design a disposable product as a sustainable alternative to an existing product. Purpose To consider the issues of increasing plastics use and understand why ...

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TEACHER PLD

Marketing a reusable product: potato plates – unit plan

Students develop their knowledge to design a disposable product as a sustainable alternative to an existing product. Purpose To understand why increasing use of non-degradable materials is not ...

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TEACHER PLD

Harnessing the Sun – unit plan

Long ago, according to the legend of Māui, the Sun was the focus of attention. People wanted more daylight and warmth to get their jobs done. Māui schemed to harness the Sun. Rights: Tim Tripp ...

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Explore related videos

VIDEO

Defining ceramics

Dr Ian Brown, a senior research scientist with Industrial Research Limited, explains how the term ‘ceramics’ now has a more expansive meaning. Traditional ceramics are clay-based, but ...

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VIDEO

What is sialon?

Sialon is an acronym for silicon, aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen. In this video, IRL’s Dr Ian Brown explains how this new family of advanced ceramics are made and discusses some of their physical ...

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VIDEO

Challenges of advanced ceramic research

There are numerous challenges that materials scientists like IRL’s Dr Ian Brown face in the development of novel advanced ceramics. In this video, Ian describes the main challenges often ...

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INTERACTIVE

Temperature – the hot and the cold

This interactive highlights the critical role temperature plays in the world of ceramics. Select a white circle or bar in the thermometer for more information. Go here to view the full transcript ...

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INTERACTIVE

O-Sialon production

This interactive shows the process of creating an advanced ceramic, O-Sialon, in the laboratory. Click on the labels for more information. Select here to view the full transcript and copyright ...

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INTERACTIVE

The electromagnetic spectrum

This interactive looks at the electromagnetic spectrum. To use this interactive, move your mouse or finger over any of the labelled boxes and select to obtain more information. Select here for a ...

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