Do you have what it takes to be a great C.S.I Detective?  

Put your skills to the test as you work through the scenarios to identify the culprit/s & crack the case.

Learn the process of designing and building circuit boards. 

In the work shop you will:

• Build an Arduino based air pressure and temperature logger.

• Observe the process of designing and ordering printed circuit boards.

Experience with coding and electronics is not necessary, but it would be ideal to have a few people in the group who can do this to help those who have no experience. 

14 people max

Join us for an immersive and interactive workshop where Helen Paul-Smith from ŌKU New Zealand will take you on a journey through the wonders of native plants. 

You'll have the unique opportunity to engage with around 10 different plant species from a carefully cultivated Rongoā garden. Through hands-on activities, you'll learn about each plant's identity, traditional uses, and growing tips. Feel, smell, and even taste the plant materials as you deepen your connection with nature's remedies. 

Our relaxed setting includes access to hot water for a refreshing cup of ŌKU New Zealand herbal tea. The workshop concludes with a Q&A session, allowing you to ask questions and enjoy a soothing cup of tea made from the plants you've just learned about. 

Come and discover the healing power of Rongoā and how you can incorporate these ancient practices into your own life.

Find out about how to source and manage dissection products. Share techniques for thawing and preparing products for the classroom so as to optimise the experience for your teachers and students. Get your gloved hands on the job by doing a couple of dissections of your choice. Pig reproductive organs will be the main focus, but there will also be the usual cow eyes, sheep and pig hearts, sheep plucks, etc. to inspect or have a go at dissecting.

Biography, Peter Smith 

Utilizing PASCO sensors is remarkably user-friendly. With just three clicks, you can effortlessly obtain data, whether you're measuring temperature, pH, or tracking position and velocity. The process remains consistent across different measurements, making navigation seamless once you grasp the fundamentals of using the sensors with the software.

PASCO sensors are compatible with two primary software options: SPARKvue and Capstone. While both are effective, SPARKvue is particularly popular in high school settings. Let's explore some of the intriguing features of this software:  Connect the sensor and collect data; Display and analyze data; Manage data; Share and save data; Remote logging; Code with Blockly.

Before joining the workshop, please ensure you have your wireless temperature sensor (PS-3201) with you if available. Additionally, it's recommended to install SPARKvue on your smartphone. You can download the app for free using the following link:  https://www.pasco.com/downloads/sparkvue#free_apps

If there are any other topics you would like me to cover, please feel free to email them to me at: hanie.mehdinezhad@electrotest.co.nz

The landscape of the central North Island evolved over the last 150-200 million years through a diverse array of geological process, creating the distinct rocks and features that we see today. This talk is tailored to focus on the geology of your own backyard, where you are introduced to the different rocks that form the landscape in your region and the geological process that led to their formation. Topics that may be covered include: volcanic deposits and processes, geothermal activity, karst caves, and greywacke basement rocks.

Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao, the Science Learning Hub has over 11,000 free, New Zealand based science resources. Join this session to discover the best ways to find exactly what you need, new ways to curate resources, and what to do when you can’t find what you want. 

We will showcase resources that have been created to support mana ōrite mō te mātauranga Māori and share ways different schools have included mātauranga in their programmes. There will be lots of opportunities for asking questions and sharing ideas.

Hazardous Waste Management – A focus on managing chemicals and chemical waste in school laboratories.

The workshop will broadly cover;

• Understanding Chemicals

• Managing Chemicals and Chemical Waste Safely

• Relevant Health and Safety Legislation and Adopting a Risk-Based approach to safe chemical management

• Opportunity to discuss any relevant questions from your own workplace

Cover the basics of solution preparation: methods on how to do calculations; safety aspects; equipment selection and use; and a few handy tips.  

Practice calculations of molar, percent, and dilution, then get hands on and prepare different solutions. 

Do you ever get frustrated doing even basic microscope cleaning and maintenance?  What about recurring problems that you have to fix? This workshop takes you through some of the basic problems that occur frequently and how to deal with them.  Some basic tool use and cleaning techniques are introduced and preventative practices are discussed.  Come and try out some techniques, and also share your own knowledge and experiences.

Biography, Peter Smith 

This workshop is for Laboratory Managers and for those who are thinking about becoming a Laboratory Manager. 

We will work through real life practice examples, steps to compliance, navigating through current legislation and Safety and Science guidelines.

There will also be time for discussion and support with any current workplace situations.

A google form will be sent for these discussion topics/questions to be registered prior to the workshop. 

(Google form replies will be kept anonymous.)

Options, operation and safe practices. 

• Choices of fume cupboards. Fixed or recirculating.

• Safe use and limitations of recirculating fume cabinet 

• Required testing and maintenance of recirculating fume cabinets. Fixed fume cupboards. 

• Options available

• Safe use

• Required testing and maintenance of fixed fume cupboards

Brainstorm/open session on the level 1 standards for technicians.

Discuss tips, tricks, and how to manage these standards.

A google form will be sent for these discussion topics/questions to be registered prior to the workshop. 

(Google form replies will be kept anonymous.)

This workshop is run by an experienced Science Technician with 29 years experience and will give you a grounding in key areas, as you start your professional career.

The workshop will cover:

Understanding the role “ Technicians making a difference”. Core skills. Key organisational techniques, ordering,  inventories, practical requests. Good practice. How to work smarter not harder. Opportunity to ask questions.

This workshop will help you learn more about your responsibilities for caring for animals in students’ education.  

We will begin with an overview of the organisations that oversee the welfare of animals in New Zealand. 

Next, we will discuss the legislation surrounding the welfare of animals and the Three Rs, a set of principles that guide animal welfare decisions. 

How to decide whether to apply for animal ethics approval will be presented, along with the process of applying for animal ethics. 

The idea of compassion fatigue will be introduced, and this workshop will conclude with an overview of the educational resources available on the ANZCCART New Zealand website, including our new resource about Māori principles for animal ethics.

Come and see how easy it is to carry out risk assessments using RiskAssess software! Risk assessments are now required by the Health and Safety at Work Act. RiskAssess leads you through the identification, assessment and control of risks, documenting the process, and providing safety information on chemicals, equipment and biologicals to help you understand risks and thereby reduce the chance of injury. A prac ordering and scheduling system is included in RiskAssess to save you time. You can also create GHS labels in seconds. RiskAssess is used by about 54% of schools in New Zealand and about 2,700 schools worldwide.

For more experienced users, we will also help you to get the most out of RiskAssess with the latest features, and save time with tips and tricks. We will cover blocked out days in the schedule, short notice prac bookings, mandatory number of groups box, new waste container labels, BEST / Starred risk assessments, upcoming features and more. There will be time for questions/discussion.

Biography, James Crisp

Hands on workshop learning how to make a variety of rockets including:

• Straw rockets capable of 25m horizontal flight

• Canister rockets using easy to find centrifuge tubes instead of often hard to access film canisters.

• Water bottle rockets capable of 100m horizontal flight

Dive into the fascinating world of Chemistry and Physics with a series of captivating demonstrations designed to engage secondary students! From using tea as an indicator to generating hydrogen and oxygen gases and witnessing their explosive combination, to showcasing vibrant redox reactions and surprising 'magic' tricks—each activity is designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for science. Additional highlights include the mesmerizing process of making slime, the water-absorbing power of nappies, the dissolution of polystyrene in acetone, and the festive Christmas Colours experiment.

Perfect for science technicians and educators looking to bring excitement and engagement into the classroom. Don't miss out on the opportunity to transform science lessons into a spectacular show of discovery and fun!

Hitachi TM4000 scanning electron microscope. The TM4000 shows all ages and fields of interest that our surroundings are more than what we can see naturally. Taking a sample of interest and viewing it from a different perspective opens up a whole new world of possibilities. When we examine and wonder about our world more deeply, putting discovered objects into a scanning electron feeds our natural curiosity, sparks further inquiry, and enriches the learning experience while stimulating our interest in STEM.  

Learn how to use the TM4000 from sample preparation, sample exchange and instrument operation.

According to Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), copper sulfate is now considered to cause eye damage, rather than eye irritation. The common indicator, phenolphthalein, may cause cancer and is suspected of causing genetic defects and damaging fertility, Borax, a key ingredient of 'slime', may damage fertility or the unborn child. Are lead salts so dangerous that students should never use them? SDSs vary widely in their assessment of the hazards posed by the same chemical! How do you make sense of hazard data according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)?

We will explain the origin of GHS data and its limitations, reasons for the differences between SDSs and how to interpret safety data from a practical classroom perspective. Large numbers of chemicals can be used safely provided risks are assessed and control measures are put in place. This is important to maintain the interest of students in Science and increase their enjoyment of practical experiences.

Biography, Eva & Phillip Crisp