Years 11-13

Year Group: Years 11-13

These resources explore advanced ideas in astronomy, astrophysics and astrobiology through observation, inquiry and critical thinking. Students investigate topics ranging from stellar evolution and cosmology to cultural astronomy, navigation and humanity’s place in the Universe.

The Hertzsprung-Russel Diagram

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows how stars are related by temperature and brightness, revealing patterns in their lifecycles. Explore real stars within 250 light years and see how their properties compare.

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Accretion disks

Accretion disks are common in space; they can form around planets, stars, and black holes. These disks play a crucial role in the formation of planets around young stars. The

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The colour of stars

If you’ve looked up at stars, you may have noticed their colour varies. Some stars appear to be slightly orange, others blue, and some appear to be white. The colour

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Water Rockets – Velocity

Water Rockets – Velocity If you’ve been stepping through the previous pages, you know we have worked out a force due to thrust from our water rocket here. To recap,

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Water Rocket Forces Part 2

Water rocket forces Part 2 This page has the title of Water Rockets Forces Part 2, which implies there’s a part one. There is, it is called Water Rocket Forces.

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Water Rocket Forces

Water rocket forces Water rockets offer a great way to understand forces. Newton did much work thinking about forces and how they influence objects. Forces A force has magnitude and

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Working Out Work With Calculus

Working out work with calculus You’ve landed on this page because you’ve either accidentally clicked on the button on the Water Rocket Physics – Work page, or you’ve accidentally ended

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Water Rockets Physics – Work

Water rocket physics – work This section is all about work. Water rockets work because the pressure change in the water bottle (the rocket) does some work on the water.

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Water Rocket Physics

Calculating Water Rockets Calculating Water Rockets (no calculus) Water Rockets are a great way of getting outside and doing some experiments. When we observe how a water rocket performs, we

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All Teaching Resources

the mission patch from Mark Rocket's space flight
The First New Zealander in Space: A Conversation with Mark Rocket
What does it feel like to leave Earth, experience weightlessness and see our planet surrounded by the immense...
The Sun
Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion
Explore Kepler's Second Law through an interactive orbital simulation. Investigate how a planet's speed changes throughout its elliptical...
Mars and Saturn
Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion
This page demonstrates Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion with an interactive simulation.
The Moon over three days
Phases of The Moon
The Moon is one of the most recognisable celestial objects. Its subtle changes in appearance over the course...
pleiades
Explore Matariki in 3D
This interactive experience allows students to move through the cluster and explore the three-dimensional structure of Matariki from...
Nebra Disk Matariki
Matariki Around the World: Perspectives on the Pleiades
Discover how cultures around the world interpreted the Pleiades star cluster through mythology, astronomy, observation and changing perspectives.

Stories and observations

Old boat on Deception island
What can an Antarctic extremophile teach us about life beyond Earth?
Matariki Dawn Viewing on top of Mount Victoria Wellington
Matariki: The Stars That Became a Nation’s New Year
Traditional Navigation
Navigation & Storytelling
Orakei Korako Spacewardbound Field trip
Astrobiology for Educators
Star Safari skyglow and Paul Malinson telescope 2025-11-1246
Dark Skies & Light Pollution
Star Safari7181 Large
Observing the Night Sky

Want to bring this experience into your classroom?

This activity is part of our live SpacewardBound sessions delivered directly in schools. We run it as a full interactive experience using our mobile planetarium and hands-on activities.

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