Science · Years 7–8 · NZ Curriculum
Physical Science
What Science intermediate students in Aotearoa New Zealand learn under physical science, and where it shows up across Kōkiri Learn's inquiry worlds.
Science · 13 inquiry worlds cover this strand
New Zealand Curriculum, Phase 3
The teaching sequence
Year 7 sequence
- States of matter and how materials behave
- Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation
- Forces, friction and motion
- Rocks, minerals, fossils and Earth's resources
Year 8 sequence
- Mixtures, dissolving, physical and chemical change
- Static electricity; series and parallel circuits
- Pressure and tool design
- Galaxies, stars, gravity; Sun, Earth and Moon
Where this shows up
Kōkiri Learn inquiry worlds that cover this strand
The whole class works on one world at a time — these are where this strand's focus actually comes up.
5 weeksStage It: Drama and Devised TheatreYear 7 sequence · Mixing coloured light and how filters change the colour of light on stage
5 weeksWorlds Beyond: Science Fiction and the FutureYear 8 sequence · Galaxies, stars and planets as settings for believable stories
5 weeksInto the Outdoors: Risk, Navigation and LeadershipYear 7 sequence · Heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation): why wet and windy conditions chill the body and how layers insulate
5 weeksFind Your Way: Maps, Angles and CoordinatesYear 8 sequence · Sun, Earth and stars: using the Sun's shadow and the Southern Cross to find direction
5 weeksMatter on the Move: Heat, Mixtures and ChangeYear 7 sequence · States of matter and the particle model; heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation; insulating materials and why water expands when it freezes
5 weeksPush, Pull and PressureYear 7 sequence · Internal forces (tension, compression) and external forces (applied force, friction); forces change shape, size and position; friction opposes motion and makes heat; elastic and plastic changes
5 weeksRocks to Stars: Earth and SpaceYear 7 sequence · Minerals as natural materials with repeating patterns; rocks made of minerals and crystals that sometimes contain fossils; Earth deposits such as coal and petroleum; choosing Earth materials for uses based on their properties
- 5 weeksMatter on the Move: Heat, Mixtures and Change
Year 8 sequence · Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, solutions and suspensions, solubility and temperature, and telling physical change from chemical change
- 5 weeksPush, Pull and Pressure
Year 8 sequence · Pressure as force spread over an area; how tools such as a pin, knife, hammer, rolling pin, toki and ngira are shaped to concentrate or spread force
5 weeksSpark: Static and CircuitsYear 8 sequence · Static electricity and electric fields; conductors, insulators and resistors; current (A), voltage (V) and resistance (Ω); how series and parallel circuits behave; generating electricity
- 5 weeksRocks to Stars: Earth and Space
Year 8 sequence · Galaxies, stars and the Sun; gravity and mass; classifying planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids and comets; modelling Earth–Moon and Sun–planet relationships and orbits
5 weeksBuild It Strong: Structures and MechanismsYear 7 sequence · Forces, friction and motion; fair tests of how shape changes strength
5 weeksSmart Circuits: Electronics and ControlYear 8 sequence · Series and parallel circuits; conductors and insulators
Go deeper in Kōkiri Lab: Ecohome & Design (heat transfer and insulating materials), Robotics & Systems (forces, friction and motion), Earth Systems & Space (rocks, fossils, the moon and the solar system)
Ready to run it with your class?
Free trial for NZ schools. One combined Years 7–8 class, any term.