Children

Bioblitz – Wellington – 5-6 April 2019

What

Bioblitz – Uncover the secrets of the garden

We know a lot about the plants we grow but what’s hiding in between the roots and stems? Help us uncover the garden’s secrets.

This 24-hour Bioblitz offers the opportunity for children and families to look into the diversity of plants and animals that live at the Wellington Botanic Garden. Scientists from around the country, Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden and individual volunteers will help analyse the secrets of the garden. The results of the Bioblitz will be made publicly available.

We’re in a race to snapshot as many different species in the Botanic Garden as we can within 24-hours. As a super science sleuth, you’ll use iNaturalist, the latest mobile phone technology so that you can make solo discoveries. If you prefer to work in a team, our field trips will give you the upper hand with an expert leading the pack.

Join our special 150th anniversary BioBlitz and help us discover what’s really living and growing in the garden in 2019.

Short video about Bioblitz.

When and Where

3pm, 5 April – 3pm, 6 April 2019

Wellington Botanic Garden

Bioblitz public programme

Friday 5 April 2019

2.25pm Opening Ceremony at Soundshell Lawn.
3pm – 7pm: Official start and public picnic at Soundshell Lawn.
3pm – 8pm: Bioblitz HQ is open at Treehouse Visitor Centre.
8.30pm: Bioblitz Guided Walk: Titiwai – New Zealand’s Glow Worm. (More about this walk at bottom of page)

Saturday 6 April 2019

8.30am – 3.15pm: Bioblitz HQ is open at Treehouse Visitor Centre.
11am-3pm: Video Booth at Treehouse Visitor Centre Carpark.
10am – 11am: Bioblitz Guided Walk: Tiny plants that are everywhere.
12.30pm – 1:45pm: Bioblitz Guided Walk: From ground level to tree tops.
1.45pm – 2:45pm : Bioblitz Guided Walk: The Wonderful World of Weeds.
3pm: Close of the Bioblitz

How Much

Free.
Bookings are required for free guided walks. Book your spot on a FREE tour by clicking on the guided walk links in the public programme above.
You may participate in the Bioblitz without joining the walks.

You need to have a smartphone with camera and ability to upload photos and information using the iNaturalist app.

Wellington Gardens event page.
Eventfinda event page.
iNaturalistNZ event page.

iNaturalistNZ website and twitter @inaturalistnz
Download and install the iNaturalist app on your smartphone

Bioblitz Guided Walk: Titiwai – New Zealand’s Glow Worm

This is the only walk sold out when this page was created. A guided walk called “Glow in the dark titiwai tours – New Zealand glow worms” is also by Wellington’s Botanic Gardens on other Fridays. $6 per person and Free for children under 12. Eventfinda event with dates and tickets.

IDEAS Festival – Nelson – 11-12 April 2019

What

The IDEAS Festival is a fun day of learning and exploration through self-selected interactive sessions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths (STEAM).

We partner with local tertiary institutions to give students access to a campus with world class facilities for thrilling sessions and learning outside the classroom.

The event inspires future generations by providing high-quality workshops that challenge, excite, and spark ideas. These hands-on, state of the art experiences are led by enthusiastic experts and offer students the opportunity to examine the concepts that challenge and shape their futures.

The IDEAS Festival creates Eureka moments – when an idea resonates, aspirations are nurtured and a potential future pathway is visualised.

When and Where

9am – 3pm
Thursday, 11 April 2019 ( Primary, Year 5-6 )
Friday, 12 April 2019 ( Intermediate, Year 7-8 )

NMIT – Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology – Nelson
322 Hardy st
Nelson

How Much

$54.07

IDEAS Festival Website
Timetable and list of events for Primary / Intermediate
Registration for Primary Students
Registration for Intermediate Students

SuperDaughter Day – Auckland – 9 March 2019

What

SuperDaughter Day (SDD) is coming to Auckland! Join us as we explore the exciting world of STEM through a range of activities.

About SuperDaughter Day
SuperDaughter Day is an annual International Women’s Day Event hosted by WORK180. Since 2016, over 3000 girls aged 5-12 years old became superheroes along with the parents, exploring the exciting world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths).

The girls participated in a wide range of hands-on activities, including:

Magformers, Cubetto Robots and Ozobots
Interactive Bug Displays
Lego Mind Storms
Makey Makey
Visit from NAO the Humanoid Robot
Jewelbots and interactive unicorn horns

Apart from participating in engaging workshops, the girls also have an opportunity to meet inspiring female role models, enjoy cupcakes and receive a goodie bag to take home. The event is held in capital cities in Australia and New Zealand. We are 100% not-for-profit.

This event is for Girls aged 5-12

When and Where

9 March 2019
Session 1: 10am – 1pm
Session 2: 2pm – 5pm

Conference Centre
Spark City
167 Victoria Street West
Auckland CBD

How Much

$25 for girls (plus booking fee)
Adults come free (you MUST book an adult ticket with your girl’s ticket)

SuperDaughter Day Auckland Webpage
Booking via EventBrite

Gardeners of the Galaxy – Auckland – 1 December 2018 to 10 March 2019

What

Your space rocket has crash landed on an alien planet – how will you survive? What will you eat and how will you breathe? Life on an alien planet is tenuous, and the answer to surviving in this harsh environment is plants.

Plants are life!

Join us for family fun at Gardeners of the galaxy this summer and find out how plants are essential for life in space. Take one small step into life as an astronaut as you discover the tools needed for survival on an alien planet.

? Start your space mission at our Visitor Centre – pick up a Mission Sheet for kids, visit our crash-landed rocket and take an astronaut selfie!

? Check out the experiments and live plants being grown in the Science Lab.

? Play fun games in our kids International Space Station and get creative with our Future Plants colouring wall.

? Head outside to try MOTAT rocket power activities and take our Solar System Walk.

? Join us for free special events and activities including star-gazing in the Gardens, solar-gazing and more! Keep an eye on our website or Facebook to find out what’s on (please note some events have limited spaces and will require advance booking).

? Get extra fun facts and videos on your space mission using the STQRY app on your phone – see below for links to download the STQRY app.

Brought to you by the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Auckland Council in association with Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, MOTAT, Hyalite and the Auckland Astronomical Society.

When and Where

1 December 2018 to 10 March 2019
Hours:
Gardens open 8am to 8pm every day.
Visitor centre is open daily from 8am – 4.30pm (closed Christmas Day).

Auckland Botanical Gardens
102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2105.

How Much

Free.

Event information including links to apps on Auckland Botanic Gardens site and Facebook event.

Stargazing Lab – Auckland – 22 December 2018

What

JOIN US UNDER THE STARS FOR A NIGHT OF STARGAZING.

The first session starts before the sunset in order to explain very basic concepts about astronomy, telescopes, and photography. After that, you will have opportunities to observe the craters and mountains on the Moon, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and the rings of Saturn.
You will also have a chance to observe deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

The sessions will target different objects and topics every day. Since these events are weather dependent, on occasions we may need to postpone the event at short notice. If this happens, you will receive a txt message in your mobile, one hour prior to the event, and your booking will be transferred to the next available session.

Even though the sessions end late, these activities are family friendly and ideal for kids. You will have a nice opportunity to learn more about the solar system and the Universe, and also to motivate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in young minds. Some telescopes and additional resources will be available for use. Including telescopes that can be operated by kids.

We will help you to identify bright stars and major constellations. During each observing session, we will teach participants to find those elusive patterns in the sky with a simple monthly star map and a green laser pointer that projects a visible beam into the sky. Just like at a planetarium but under the real night sky!

Code of Conduct

In order to insure safety, protect equipment and to enhance everyone enjoyment, we ask that you follow the Code of Conduct:

Pets are not permitted nearby the telescopes.
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are never permitted within the area.
Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Aerosol bug spray repellent may only be applied away from the telescopes. (Sprays produce a fine mist which can settle on optical surfaces and is very difficult to clean.)
Remove any trash and keep the premises clean.
Visitors should bring a flashlight with RED light to use for the walk from the parking lot to the observation area and for reading star maps.

When and Where

22 December 2018
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Maraetai Beach,
Maraetai Coast Rd, Maraetai, Auckland

Stargazing Labs are taking place from Maraetai Beach, Maraetai, at just 40 minutes from the Auckland CBD. This beautiful location offers stunning views of the night sky and low light pollution coming from the city. This is key to allow long-term expositions to capture amazing pictures of the deep sky objects like nebulae and galaxies.

There are four public parking (free) available (+40 cars capacity) and public toilets close to the observation area.

How Much

$0 – $16.09
Under 5 yrs: free
Child (5 – 15 yrs): $10+fees.
General Admission: $15 + fees.

Please book here.

Stargazing Lab, Eventbrite event and Facebook event.
Organised by Skylabs http://skylabs.co.nz/

#GirlsInnov8 Camp – Auckland – 16-18 January 2019

What

The vision of our #GirlsInnov8 camp is to empower young women between Y9 and Y13 and inspire them to choose IT as their career in the future.

The demand and popular response for a 2019 camp was driven by the success of the #GI8 camps we coordinated in January 2017 and 2016. It offers a variety of experiences to the girls throughout the year which focus on Technology and the maker movement and strive to spark their interests, encourage their passions and ignite their curiosity.

Girls can be Residential campers, experiencing the full set of planned activities and learning opportunities while living on campus. Alternatively a Day camper only option is available and girls will conclude their activities at the end of the workshops each day.

Registrations open until 15 December 2018

Program Overview

Wednesday, 16 January 2019:

Select one of two streams: Computer Science activities & code Breaking or Code Avengers – HTML
Select one of two streams: Arduino robotics programming or Code Avengers continue
Visit to Maru Nihohiho (MNZM – Founder and MD of Metia Interactive)
Evening activity (Residential Only)

Thursday, 17th January 2019:

Industry visit to Soul Machine
Select one of two streams: Maker Day – Self chosen projects or Code Avengers – Javascript & gaming
Evening activity – Woman in IT Talks (Residential only)

Friday, 18th January 2019:

Maker activity – Boat Construction
Fiserve Agile Activity
Project time

When and Where

St Cuthbert’s College
122 Market Road
Epsom, Auckland 1051

8:30am Wednesday 16 January 2019
– 4:30pm Friday 18 January 2019

How Much

Residential attendees – $550
Day attendees – $425

#GirlsInnov8 official site and registration

Eventbrite site

Weta Workshop: School Holiday Workshops – Wellington – 16-20 July 2018

What

Weta Workshop is opening its doors once again, to give kids a chance to make movie magic! From sketching to sculpting, our hands-on workshops will excite and delight! Suitable for ages 6 – 12 years. Spots are strictly limited and fill up fast, book now!

CARTOONING AROUND: MONDAY 16 JULY

Your budding filmmakers can dream up their own comic book character, develop a storyboard, and draw the cartoon with help from a Weta Workshop artist.

SCULPTING SUPERHEROES: TUESDAY 17 JULY

The adventure continues, or starts anew, as kids bring a comic book character to life with plasticine!

BATTLE OF THE BLOOD MAKERS: THURSDAY 19 JULY

Learn how to make unique Weta Chainmaille as seen in The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit. Then get your hands dirty learning to make fake blood!

COSTUME CHALLENGE: FRIDAY 20 JULY

Create a fantastical costume and prop, using only recyclable materials! Working in a team of 3 or 4, you’ll design and craft an incredible costume with the guidance of your friendly Weta Workshop crew.

Each workshop is limited to just 20 children per session to allow for the best care and learning opportunities for your child. Spots are strictly limited and fill up fast.

When and Where

Monday 16 – Friday 20 July 2018
Morning session: 9.00am – 12.00pm (6–9yrs)
Afternoon session: 1.30pm – 4.30pm (10–12yrs)

Weta Workshop
127 Park Rd
Miramar
Wellington

How Much

$50 per session

More

Weta Workshop Event page

OmgTech: Toloa Kenese Club – Auckland – 16 June 2018

What

Toloa-Kenese Club is back! We are partnership with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to run four interactive STEM workshops for Pasifika Year 7 to Year 10 students.

The Workshops will use digital technologies or science / technology based practises including robotics, electronics, coding and 3D printing.

When and Where

10am – 2:30pm
Saturday
16 June 2018

Mangere Arts Centre
Corner Bader Drive and Orly Avenue
Mangere
Auckland

How Much

Free

More

Event’s Webpage on OMGtech