Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 5 Activity 2: The black Drain

Activity 2: The Black Drain [4 points]

Approximately two-thirds of all rivers and one-half of all lakes in New Zealand are too polluted to swim in, according to a recent article in an online newspaper. One of the most polluted is the Tarawera River in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Pollution enters the river from a local pulp and paper mill, from local farms and through the local sewage system. Many other rivers in New Zealand are also polluted with waste from businesses and farms.

Use Google to help you find two other polluted rivers in New Zealand.

On your blog, tell us:

1) The names of the rivers. 2) The location of the rivers. 3) What is being done to clean up the rivers (if anything)?

1) Waikato River and Puhinui River.
2) Waikato and Puhinui
3) It would help more if people could put their rubbish into the bins instead of the rivers.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 5 Activity 1: Off the Menu

DAY 5: Wasting Away

Activity 1: Off the Menu [4 points]

Fishing is a really common activity in New Zealand. In fact, people have fished in New Zealand for centuries. Unfortunately, over the past few decades some people have caught too many fish in one area and left the region without enough fish to refill (replenish) the stocks. When this happens we call the area ‘overfished’ and it is closed to all private and commercial fishing. If people are caught fishing in these areas, they are required to pay a fine (money). The maximum fine for fishing in a restricted area is $100 000.

What do you think about this rule? Is it fair that people are charged up to $100 000 for overfishing?

On your blog, tell us what you think about this rule and why you think it!.

People shouldn't be charged up to $100 000. The reason why I think this is because it's too much money to waste just for fishing. I think that it would be a good Idea to lower the price.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 4 Activity 3: Picture Perfect

Activity 3: Picture Perfect [10 points]

While New Zealand is home to some beautiful waterfalls, there are a number of stunning waterfalls in places like Canada and South Africa. In Canada, the largest waterfall is called Niagara Falls. It sits on the border between Canada and the United States of America. Thousands of tourists flock (go) to Niagara Falls every year to see the falls and to have their picture taken in front of this natural wonder. Over the past few years people have started taking ‘selfies’ and posting them online. Do you ever take selfies?

For this activity, choose one of the following three selfies. From left to right: Selfie #1, Selfie #2, Selfie #3

On your blog, write a short story about what you think is happening in the picture. Be sure to tell us where you think the people are and what you think they were doing at the time that they stopped to pose for the selfie. To earn full points, the story must be 8 – 10 sentences long.

This is Judy. Judy has gone on a holiday for her birthday. For Judy's birthday, her and her friends went to Mexico at her sister Ava's house. Judy's birthday was a day away so all the girls weren't really around her and she knew for sure that her friends were out getting her gits for her birthday. 

The next morning Judy got out of bed and got ready for the day. She walked into the kitchen and saw that Ava had made breakfast but she was not found anywhere in the house. Judy began to eat her breakfast and saw a note from Ava. "Dear Judy, Glad your finally up sleepy head. Happy Birthday. I have gone out to get you something special.  Please meet me and your friends at 3 on Lana's roof. Sincerely you sister <3.

  Around 2:48 Judy changed into a casual look for her birthday because she wasn't in the mood for anything fancy. She started walking and she stopped into a cafe to get a coffee. She soon arrived at Lana's and no one was there so she decided to check the roof. She went up and was surprised. Her friends and including her sister surprised her for her birthday.  Judy thanked everyone. Later on, she took a photo of her self and the view of buildings in Mexico. 

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 4 Activity 2: It's All in the Name

Activity 2: It’s All in the Name [4 points]

Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. It is a city filled with incredible forests, mountain biking tracks, lakes, and geothermal wonders, including hot springs (geysers) and mud pools. One of the most famous geothermal pools is called the Devil’s Bath at Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. It is a neon green pool of stinky water.

Over the years, people have suggested that we come up with a new name for the pool. What do you think we should call it? Take a minute to let your creative juices flow.

On your blog, give us a list of three to five options for the name of this geothermal pool. Put a star (*) beside the name that you like the most.

Green Lake
Natures Pool *
Natures Lake
Green pool
The Famous Devil's Bath

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 4 Activity 1: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

DAY 4: Spectacular, Spectacular

Activity 1: Planes, Trains and Automobiles [4 points]

Arguably, one of the most dramatic and spectacular (beautiful) places to visit in New Zealand is Milford Sound. It has been referred to as the ‘eighth wonder of the world.’ It is a beautiful fiord (steep valley) that was formed when big pieces of ice (glaciers) melted. The melted glaciers created a beautiful river that is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and snow-capped mountains. People who visit Milford Sound are able to take a boat cruise through the middle of the fiord, walk around the area on the Milford Track or fly above the fiord as part of a private helicopter tour.

Let’s imagine that you had the chance to visit Milford Sound by boat, foot (walking) or air (helicopter). Which option would you prefer?

On your blog tell us which of the three options you would take to explore Milford Sound. Be sure to tell us why you have chosen this option.

I would choose to visit Milford Sound by air (helicopter) from the three other options because I would love being in the air as I do enjoy being on planes. It would also be cool to see all the land underneath me. It would be very exciting for me and I know for sure that I will really enjoy this visit.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 3 Activity 3: The Midnight Zone

Activity 3: The Midnight Zone [10 points]

One of these creatures is called the ‘Colossal Squid.’ A colossal squid can weigh as much as 495 kilograms (kg)! Here in New Zealand, we have a full sized colossal squid on display at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. It is the only specimen of its kind in the entire world! This squid weighs approximately 500 kg. In 2018, a team at Te Papa decided to move the giant squid from one area of the museum to another. Deep in the ocean, far below the surface, lies an area called the ‘Midnight Zone.’ It is called the midnight zone because it is always dark or ‘pitch black’ in this area. Much of the deep sea has yet to be explored by humans, however, we do know a little bit about the creatures that live here.

Let’s imagine that the average adult can lift 25 kg and the average child can lift 15 kg. How many adults and children will it take to move the giant squid into its new room at Te Papa? [Note: There is more than one right answer to this question.]

On your blog, tell us how you will solve this maths problem. You can write your answer in words, use a Sketchpad image or post a video explaining how you would figure it out. Be sure to give us your final answer.

18 x 25 + 45 = 495

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 3 Activity 2: A Local Delicacy

Activity 2: A Local Delicacy [4 points]

Whitebait is a very special fish in New Zealand. It is rumoured (believed) to be a very delicious fish. Some restaurants in New Zealand make dishes that feature whitebait, including whitebait fritters. Have you ever tried whitebait fritters? They are a favourite dish of many of my friends. I, personally, prefer foods from places like Mexico and Italy. Pizza and nachos are two of my all-time favourite foods! In fact, I often make homemade pizza with Aronui on Friday nights using the same ingredients (pizza base, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, red onion, basil and feta cheese) each time.

For this activity, please choose a favourite food and find a recipe for it.

On your blog, share a list of the ingredients that you need to make this food. You must type out the list of ingredients yourself (and not simply copy and paste it from a website) to earn full points.

1) Chicken
2) Butter
3) Yogurt 
4) Spice
5)Green chilies ( if wanted )
6) Coriander
7) Naan bread ( if wanted )