Science

The Science Curriculum

In the New Zealand Curriculum, Science is about exploring, understanding, and making sense of the natural world and the physical environment. It encourages students to ask questions, investigate, and think critically — skills that help them better understand both the world around them and their place within it.

The Science curriculum is organised into four strands:

1. The Nature of Science – Understanding how science works, developing scientific thinking, and learning how to investigate scientifically.
2. Living World – Learning about plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems.
3. Planet Earth and Beyond – Exploring Earth systems, the solar system, and environmental changes.
4. Physical World – Investigating energy, forces, and physical phenomena.
5. Material World – Examining matter, chemistry, and changes in materials.

At Little River School, we bring science to life through hands-on learning, local environments, student-led inquiry, and meaningful real-world contexts. From exploring the school garden and local waterways to learning about sustainability, weather patterns, and living things, science is all around us — and we make it exciting and relevant for all tamariki.