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Explosive Impact: Year 2025

The national project under discussion is overseen by the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, located within Te Kura Toi Tangata, the Faculty of Education, at The University of Waikato Te Whare Wananga o Waikato.

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Explosive Noise: Year 2025 Announced
Explosive Noise: Year 2025 Announced

Explosive Impact: Year 2025

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For children aged 7-12 years in Auckland, New Zealand, there are numerous opportunities to engage with sound in a fun and educational manner.

Squish! Bang! Splat! is an upcoming event taking place at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), located at 805 Great North Road & Meola Road, Western Springs, Auckland. This event, running from 10 am to 4 pm on September 5-6, 2025, offers hands-on experiences in science, art, and fun[3]. Kids can attend live Science Shows by Little Scientists, design their own Sound Makers, explore various instruments like the percussion wall and rain drums, and learn about the sounds produced by everyday objects[2].

In addition to Squish! Bang! Splat!, there are other resources and events available for sound exploration. The We The Young Arts Festival in Auckland offers workshops and performances suitable for young children, including sensory and music-related experiences that engage sound exploration, such as the inclusive creative workshops and musical performances like Pīpī Paopao, which features waiata (songs) in te reo Māori[1].

Auckland Council Libraries run many programs incorporating rhythm, rhyme, and musical activities for kids, such as Rhythm & Beats, Wriggle & Rhyme, and Rhymetime sessions—ideal for introducing young learners to sound, rhythm, and music through interactive storytelling and songs[2]. Libraries also sometimes offer broader music and craft workshops which can support sound exploration.

Music teaching resources specifically designed for New Zealand educators are available on sites like starters.co.nz, providing lesson plans and activities focused on music and sound tailored to NZ children’s curriculum levels[4]. These resources can be adapted for lower primary classrooms or informal learning settings.

Social media postings from local speech therapists and music facilitators in Auckland highlight the use of interactive music and sound activities, like those involving tools such as Chrome Lab’s Kandinsky, which supports creative sound and literacy development in children[5].

The article "Creating collections" explains how to get the most out of the "Sound - lower primary" collection[6]. The collection includes interactive content related to the science notes provided in the original BSC book[7]. The event, Squish! Bang! Splat!, is partially based on the New Zealand Ministry of Education's Building Science Concepts Book 18 Exploring Sound[7].

Investigating sound with younger students can also involve activities such as "Investigating sound", "Hearing sounds", "Investigating movement and sound with a pūrerehua", and "Musical sounds".

For teachers seeking professional development, there is a recorded PLD session called "Sounds of Aotearoa" featuring educators from the New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators[8].

These opportunities, ranging from live workshops and festivals to library programs and curriculum resources, represent engaging ways for lower primary students in Auckland to explore sound in culturally relevant and hands-on contexts.

[1] We The Young Arts Festival: https://www.wetheyoung.co.nz/ [2] Auckland Council Libraries: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/community/libraries/programmes-and-events.asp [3] Squish! Bang! Splat!: https://www.motat.org.nz/whats-on/squish-bang-splat/ [4] Starters.co.nz: https://www.starters.co.nz/ [5] Local speech therapists and music facilitators: Search on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram using relevant hashtags. [6] Creating collections: This article is not directly linked in the provided bullet points, but it is mentioned as a resource for getting the most out of the "Sound - lower primary" collection. [7] Building Science Concepts Book 18 Exploring Sound: https://www.education.govt.nz/resources/teaching-and-learning/science/science-learning-progressions/building-science-concepts-book-18-exploring-sound/ [8] Sounds of Aotearoa: This session is not directly linked in the provided bullet points, but it is mentioned as a recorded PLD session featuring educators from the New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators.

  1. To further stimulate family-dynamics and promote learning, parents might consider attending events like Squish! Bang! Splat! with their children, as it offers hands-on exploration of science, art, and fun, helping children aged 7-12 years deepen their understanding of sound.
  2. For individuals seeking to enrich their education-and-self-development, local resources such as Auckland Council Libraries and the We The Young Arts Festival provide workshops and programs focused on sound exploration, including music-related experiences and interactive storytelling, making them valuable opportunities for all ages.
  3. Engaging with sound can have profound impacts on relationships, as demonstrated by the inclusion of waiata in te reo Māori (Maori language songs) in workshops and performances like Pīpī Paopao. Encouraging sound exploration through these culturally relevant resources may foster stronger connections between family, peers, and community.

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