SAVE THE DATE! The YOUNG OCEAN EXPLORERS 21 Day Challenge is coming 28 Feb 2025 - 11 Apr 2025

Term 1 2025

A guided inquiry exploring life in and around waterways in Aotearoa (awa/ roto/ moana - rivers/lakes/ocean) - looking at our connections to the waterways in our local environment and their connection to the ocean. Tamariki will be introduced to many amazing creatures and see how they can be part of helping our oceans and local waterways to thrive now and into the future.

Planning done for you - This guided inquiry walks you through the process step by step - you can follow the plan or pick and choose the bits that suit you and your tamariki. This year there will be a student site so that those with devices can self-direct their learning if you work that way. There will be 3 differentiated learning paths so that students (or kaiako/teachers) can choose the level that suits them.

FREE! Yes really!- All we ask is to hear your feedback once you have tried this. Feedback from our pilot programme in 2020, and our first challenge in 2021 has been invaluable for us to help build on ideas and guide our planning for future challenges. It also helps us when applying for funding. We work hard to get funding so that ALL tamariki have the opportunity to learn and care about our beautiful natural world in Aotearoa. Many of our unique natives in NZ are actually in the ocean!

New content - Updated to tie in with waterways in your local rohe/area (awa/rivers, roto/lakes, moana / ocean) and looking at links to the ocean. It will start with exploring your tamariki's connection to your local environment - focusing on the waterways. We have great new video content from around Aotearoa.

Curriculum links - This inquiry has many links to the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum and is a great place to start. There are strong links with the science and education for sustainability curriculums. This integrated plan can be used to tie in aspects of maths (statistics) and literacy, the arts, health. It links te ao Māori and introduces tikanga and kupu along the way.

Empowering students - We are looking forward to sharing this learning journey with you as you guide tamariki to think about what is important to them, and to empower them to make a difference for your local environment. Part of the challenge involves being kaitiaki of your area, starting with each child picking up one (or more) pieces of rubbish each day. Last year a collective group of over 1100 classes logged a total of more than 132,000 pieces of rubbish picked up - and not everyone entered their data. Let’s see if we can make even more impact this year! It is empowering for students to see that their small actions combined can make a big difference. The culminating project allows tamariki to share their ideas of kaitiakitanga with others.

“… thanks so much for the 21 Day Challenge- the resources were fantastic and our teachers and kids really enjoyed the unit.”

- Teacher

“We have watched most of the Young Ocean Explorer videos and enjoyed doing the one plus a day. We also tried the mussel filtering experiment. We love doing your tasks and we are excited to learn more.”

- Students

“Thanks for all the amazing resources and for inspiring the Kaitiaki in us. Love your work!”

- Teacher

“You’re inspirational - keeping us all on track protecting our oceans! Thank you so much!”

- Teacher

“ This is an unique opportunity for learners to engage with scientists, experts and each other, while at the same time helping and learning more about our marine environment ... What a great model for learning”

- Jill Corkin, MNZM – Retired Principal & Past President of Auckland Primary Principal’s Association.

YOUNG OCEAN EXPLORERS
CLASSROOM CHALLENGE

Term 1 2025

Together for our Moana -
we're shaping our future

FREE learning ideas and resources to download. 

START with the introduction, then the four core lessons, then pick and choose others that interest you. 

Click on the lesson(s) to suit your tamariki to find resources and teaching ideas.
Aimed at years 3-8, but many ideas are suitable to use with other year levels or can be adapted to suit.

CORE Lesson 1 / Akoranga tahi

Healthy Oceans
CORE Lesson 2 / Akoranga rua

Our moana in Aotearoa
CORE Lesson 4 / Akoranga wha

Making a difference

PICK AND MIX

More learning about life in the ocean in Aotearoa


Aihe / Dolphins

Find out about some of the amazing creatures that live in our Moana.
Tohora / Whales

Learn about the critically endangered Bryde's whales that live in the Hauraki Gulf.
Whai - rays

Follow these ocean gliders and fliers
Rimu / seaweed

Check out these beautiful underwater ngahere / forests.
Food chains

Who eats what in the ocean? And what happens when it's out of balance?
Keeping the ocean clean - filter feeders.

Find out about mussels/ kūtai and how they can clean the water.
Sea birds / Ngā Manu O Te Moana

The ocean is important to many different birds.
Turtles

There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, and five of them have been seen in the Hauraki Gulf!
Ocean Explorer ancestors

Aotearoa / New Zealand has a long history of ocean exploration.
Orca / maki / kãkahi

Sometimes called 'killer whales', Orca are actually the largest of the dolphin family!
Rocky Shore

Explore what lives in the inter-tidal zone around the Hauraki Gulf.
Manta Rays

Explore what lives in the inter-tidal zone around the Hauraki Gulf.
Fantastic fish

Find out more about some of the many fish species in Tikapa Moana
Estuaries

The place where fresh water meets the sea
Sharks

Learn more about these apex predators
Wheke / Octopus

Learn more about these clever creatures!

INTEGRATED MATHS AND LITERACY LEARNING

linked to the ocean and other ideas in the 21 day challenge


MATHS

Sea creature size (measurement)
MATHS

Rubbish problem (multiplication)
MATHS

Lunchbox maths (Problem Solving, calculating the average, multiplication)
MATHS

Figure it out lessons linked to the moana / ocean
MATHS

Snapper maths (percentages and fractions)
MATHS

Visualising NZ's sea size (fractions)
LITERACY

Quizzes
LITERACY

School Journal and Connected Texts
More maths

More literacy

More maths

More literacy

SNAPSHOTS

Quick 'grab and go' 15 minute lessons for days when you have less time.


Coming soon

Coming soon

Coming soon

Coming soon

“… thanks so much for the 21 Day Challenge- the resources were fantastic and our teachers and kids really enjoyed the unit.”

- Teacher

“We have watched most of the Young Ocean Explorer videos and enjoyed doing the one plus a day. We also tried the mussel filtering experiment. We love doing your tasks and we are excited to learn more.”

- Students

“Thanks for all the amazing resources and for inspiring the Kaitiaki in us. Love your work!”

- Teacher

“You’re inspirational - keeping us all on track protecting our oceans! Thank you so much!”

- Teacher

“ This is an unique opportunity for learners to engage with scientists, experts and each other, while at the same time helping and learning more about our marine environment ... What a great model for learning”

- Jill Corkin, MNZM – Retired Principal & Past President of Auckland Primary Principal’s Association.