Teachers
Make STEM the most wonder-ful part of your school day
Inspire your ākonga to love STEM with the Wonder Project’s hands-on learning experiences. They’re NZ Curriculum-aligned, easy to deliver and completely free for schools.
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NZ Curriculum-aligned
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Real-world links
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Easy to use and accessible
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Industry support
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Hands-on STEM learning
Why participate
Wonder Project programmes make it easy for you to have an out-of-this-world STEM experience.
- Hands-on, engaging learning
- NZ Curriculum-aligned
- Real-world connections
- Easy-to-use resources
- Inclusive and accessible for all learners
- Supported by industry
“This programme had a powerful impact on my students and on me. Students’ problem-solving and teamwork skills, engagement and enjoyment have flourished. And it helped me grow professionally.”
Debbie Hogan
Teacher | Naenae Intermediate
How it works
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Register and prepare
Register for a programme and complete your training and preparation.
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Receive resources
Receive all the free resources straight to your email and school.
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Lead learning
Lead the learning with support from the Wonder Project, then send us your feedback!
Find the right option
Challenges
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Year 5–8
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Term 2 and 3
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12–16 hours across 6 – 8 weeks
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Free
Choose challenges for scaffolded, sustained STEM learning to integrate into your term plan and help you deliver the NZ Curriculum.
You’ll receive a free challenge kit, challenge guide, online learning hub with activities and videos, and an industry ambassador to support your class, where possible.
STEM Bites
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Year 5–8
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Year-round
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Flexible timing
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Free
Choose STEM Bites for bite-sized STEM learning you can run any time of the year.
You’ll receive a printable resource with activity sequences, video links and support notes.
STEM Careers
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Year 7–13
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Year-round
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Flexible timing
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Free
Choose STEM careers to give your ākonga a taste of the real world with workplace visits and motivating career talks.
What we provide and what you bring
We help set you up with
- teaching and ākonga material that supports all learners
- hands-on resources
- training and support
- curriculum guidance
- industry ambassadors or other real-world connections
You bring it to life by
- preparing to run the programme
- leading the learning
- organising classroom resources
- coordinating with an ambassador where relevant
- completing feedback surveys
Evidence on impact
"One of my students came back saying "I went home and told Mum what I want to do with my life. I want to build rockets!" This is special because this student never gets excited about anything!"
Sarah Reid
Teacher | Rosebank Schol
Build STEM teaching confidence
Not a STEM expert? No worries! Our resources support informal professional development so all kaiako can have an incredible experience teaching it:
- Structured, practical STEM resources
- Challenge guide with detailed support notes
- Online training videos
- Live webinars and online Q&A sessions
- Support from the Wonder Project team
- Connections with industry professionals, where relevant
Resources
Get your school on board
If your school needs some convincing to participate, start by sharing this resource.
Get a yes from your school (PDF, 9.2 MB)Share overview flyer
Download and print this flyer with a summary of the Wonder Project for schools.
Overview flyer (PDF, 1.5 MB)FAQs
When are offerings available?
When are offerings available?
Our challenges run during New Zealand school terms:
- Term 2: Rocket Challenge and Power Challenge
- Term 3: Ice Cream Challenge and Water Challenge
STEM Bites and STEM Careers are available year-round.
How much preparation is required?
How much preparation is required?
Before challenges, we ask kaiako to:
- watch teacher training videos (around 10 minutes),
- read the challenge guide and student learning material,
- connect with their ambassador to plan lessons, where relevant,
- check their kit has arrived, or their existing kit is stocked,
- collect classroom resources,
- and complete pre-challenge surveys
STEM Bites resources require a small amount of pre-reading. Some logistical preparation may be required for STEM Careers experiences.
Do I need STEM experience to teach these programmes?
Do I need STEM experience to teach these programmes?
Whether you’re a beginner, expert, or somewhere in-between, we’ll provide everything you need to feel confident teaching STEM and have a blast doing it!
Who leads the class?
Who leads the class?
Kaiako lead the class.
If you’re matched with an ambassador, their role is to support the experience by sharing their career story, uplifting confidence and inspiring your ākonga.
Is there a cost?
Is there a cost?
There is no cost for any of our resources.
If you would like to guarantee a spot on one of our challenges, we reserve a small portion of challenge kits and refresh packs for purchase on our online shop.