In 2010, go online with LEARNZ from your classroom to learn about

·       Renewable Energy

·       Music

·       Coal Mining

·       New Zealand’s geological diversity

LEARNZ has been operating since 1995 offering virtual field trips for New Zealand schools to places the length and breadth of NZ and to offshore locations such as Antarctica and the Chatham Islands. The main curriculum areas are Science, Social Sciences and The Arts. LEARNZ has developed as a partnership between Heurisko, the Ministry of Education, Solid Energy and others.

In 2010, LEARNZ teachers Shelley, Andrew and Paul are ready to lead your classes on four very different experiences.

Renewable Energy
In term 2 Paul will take your class to Taupo to investigate Renewable Energy (16 -18 June). They will see how wood waste is turned into a clean efficient fuel, reducing energy bills, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Making Music
In term 3, join Andrew when he visits the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra while they are Making Music (29 – 31 July). Your class will go behind the scenes as the Orchestra prepares for a major Rodgers and Hammerstein production.

Waikato Coal Mining
Also in term 3, Shelley will investigate Waikato Coal Mining (4 – 6 August) and give your class the opportunity to join her deep underground in Huntly, right at the coal face. Find out about the origins of coal, how it is mined, how coal can help meet New Zealand's future energy needs and the uses, characteristics and future of carbon compounds.

Coast to Coast Earth Science
Lastly in term 3, Paul welcomes your class to come with him as he traverses New Zealand. Coast to Coast (11 – 13 August) looks at the diverse geology and researches the processes that have shaped our landscape from the wild West Coast, across the Southern Alps to Banks Peninsula.

Each Field Trip offers online resources to prepare students for their experience and an online daily diary, digital video, audioconferences, email and a web board provides a range of opportunities to engage students with remote experts and the learning adventure. Teachers are fully supported with newsletters, a teacher manual and a phone helpdesk.

Teacher registration is free, enrolling a class is free and taking part in as many field trips as you want is free.

LEARNZ is a Ministry of Education supported project brought to you by Heurisko, with field trip support from Solid Energy, Meridian, DairyNZ, EQC, and the Department of Conservation.

For all enquiries on Solid Energy, please contact us. To find out more about the LEARNZ programme go to www.learnz.org.nz