EarthFest 2023 Exhibits
Check out what we did last year!
Teachers & Students
Making Geology Visible
Just out! Visible Geology is a free digital tool built to explore and discover the earth's processes and revolutionize how geological concepts are taught to students. Meanwhile, Mixed Reality Visualisation bring the subsurface to life with interactive visualisation of real 3D geological models using HoloLens mixed reality goggles. Come try it!
All Ages
Te-Riu-a-Maui / Zealandia
Aotearoa New Zealand is part of a much larger, mostly submerged landmass called Te-Riu-a-Maui / Zealandia. Discover rocks from across the continent and learn what they can tell us about our approx. 500-million-year geological history. All display rocks are from the National Petrology Reference Collection and can be touched/handled. Plus, bring your own rock for our geologists to identify!
All Ages
Let's Make Waves
Get ready to make waves with the CRISiSLab interactive water tank! You can create small or big waves and observe their impact in real-time, all while learning about the fascinating science and technology behind tsunami detection. Step up to the tank and watch the sensors provide live readings of the waves you make.
All Ages
All Ages
Quake-Safe with QuakeCORE
Why do some buildings get damaged in an earthquake and others not? What can we do to help protect ourselves from harm when the ground rumbles?
Come and explore how to make buildings and communities safer from the impacts of earthquakes.
All Ages
What's that rock?
What’s makes up a rock, mineral, fossil or sediment? Bring along a rock of your own so we can zap it with our analyser and tell you exactly what it’s made of.
Works for rocks, minerals, fossils, and dry sediment or soil (and won't damage them)
All Ages
Virtual Reality Rocks!
Virtual reality (VR) is changing the way we teach Earth science by enabling students to study the Earth no matter the weather, and see data from a whole new perspective. Come and explore some awesome 3D environments and even go on a virtual field trip!
Preschool
Rocks For Tots
Let your 2-6 year-olds' curiousity ignite as they make their own earthquake, explore our submerged continent, and use magnetism to tell rocks from chocolate pebbles. Tons of fun for all ages, and perfect for budding rock hounds and explorers!
Students & Teachers
House of Science
Calling all teachers and students! Come and try out the activities inside the House of Science's Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Soil Science kits for schools. All kits are fully bilingual in English and Te Reo, with learning objectives aligned to the NZ Curriculum.
All Ages
Rafter Radiocarbon Lab
Did you know that measuring radiocarbon enables us to find out the age of materials? Or that it can track the changing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? If you're interested in climate change, join the Rafter Radiocarbon Lab to find out how!
All Ages
Drones for Science!
Drones enable us to see the world in new and exciting ways. From mapping landslides to sampling volcanoes, drones are an awesome tool for doing science. Come and see how we turn drone photos into 3D models of changing landscapes.
All Ages
Experience Antarctica
Come and chat with active Antarctic scientists researching everything from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the atmosphere, all from the South Pole! Ask them your questions, try on some gear, and imagine staying down on the ice in our polar tent...brrr.
All Ages
Make a Quake
Come and make an earthquake with the team from GeoNet! See how big a quake you can make and learn how we keep an eye on New Zealand’s earthquake, volcano and tsunami hazards. Budding artists be sure to enter our ‘draw a volcano’ competition!
All Ages
VolcanoFest
Come and play volcano card and computer and games, watch explosions and enjoy colouring your own volcano. Plus, talk to us about our free teacher PD online courses and links to curriculum-aligned volcano and geothermal teaching materials.
All Ages
Find A Fossil
Uncover the mysteries of an ancient seabed that is 23-25 million years old! Dig a real fossil out of our limestone rock and discover what your find is with the help of our paleontologists (fossil experts). What can it tell us about past environments?
High School
Girls* On Ice
Girls* On Ice Aotearoa aim to inspire passion, participation and empowerment for girls* in science, art and exploration through tuition fee-free expeditions to New Zealand's wild mountains and glaciers. Come and see what you could look like standing on a snowy mountain or glacier!
All Ages
AR Sandbox
What do you get when you cross a humble sandbox with cutting edge augmented reality (AR) technology? The most immersive and exciting geoscience lesson ever!
The AR sandbox is a hands-on learning tool that gives tamariki the chance to explore geoscience by shaping and re-shaping landforms in their very own landscape.
All Ages
From the deepest oceans to the highest skies, and all the coastlines, estuaries, rivers and lakes in between, dive into science with the team from NIWA. Experience Antarctica through Virtual Reality, discover kākahi in the touch tank, play the flood game, and find out what creep crawlies live in your local rivers and streams.
All Ages
Gold Panning
The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) invites you to uncover the art of gold panning as you immerse yourself in our display and try your hand at discovering nature's precious treasures. Explore the world of minerals and mining while experiencing the thrill of finding precious minerals. Gain insights into the techniques and skills involved in this ancient practice and explore potential careers in the mining industry.
All Ages
Cool Quarries
Where does all the rock we use to build roads come from? What kind of rocks can you use? What size do the pieces need to be?? How do we make them all the same size?! Discover the quarrying process with the team at Winstone Aggregates and play fun games to win cool prizes!
All Ages
Let's Get Ready!
Let's get ready before disaster strikes! Gather emergency items before a storm, get to high ground before a tsunami strikes, and secure items in your home before an earthquake. Put your skills and knowledge to the test as you race against the clock in our fun preparation game. Will you finish all the levels before time is up? There’s only one way to find out...
All Ages
Space Rocks
Ever wondered what meteors can tell us about the solar system? Or if there's a way to look at the sun without hurting your eyes? Discover the sun, meteors and more with Fireballs Aotearoa's meteor camera network and the Wellington Astronomical Society's solarscopes.
Teachers & Students
Eagle Technology GIS
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tell us where and what things are in amazing detail. Come and find out about our GIS in Schools programme, and how can you successfully navigate current trends in GIS development, from 3D analytics to artificial intelligence (AI), and weave them into your own career journey!
All Ages
A Big World of Tiny Fossils
Come and explore the world of microscopic plankton fossils. These tiny organisms, often considered "art from the ocean", will amaze you with their beautiful complexity. Marvel at our 3D-printed models, then peer down the microscope to see the real thing! Find out what these microfossils can tell us about the Earth's ancient past.
All Ages
Rock & Mineral Club
Come and meet members of the Mineral Club of Hutt Valley and Wellington and see some of their favourite specimens. Find our more about the various activities both adult and "Geokids" members get up to. Why not bring along your favourite rock to show too?
All Ages
Let's Get Geotechnical
Come on an interactive journey into the exciting world of engineering and geotechnical geology with Beca. Discover how our skilled engineers piece together underground formations using boreholes to correlate rocks and create a vivid picture of what's hidden underground. Bring your curious kids along for some hands on learning with playdoh and let's spark their interest in the wonders of science while having fun exploring what lies beneath our feet.
All Ages
Historic Instruments
Have you ever wondered how, before modern technology, scientists knew where an earthquake occurred and how strong? How did they calibrate magnetic compasses or search for subsurface resources? Come along and see the real geophysical instruments used in New Zealand from 1863-1970.
High School
Ask About Study
Come ask questions to the knowledgeable team from the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. They can tell you all about how you could study geography or earth sciences at university, what jobs might be available for you, and answer any general questions you may have about uni life.
