Outreach events
Find out about student experience days, teacher days, and other outreach events hosted by the Faculty.
Experience Days
We invite Year 12 and 13 students to visit us on campus and explore science and engineering through hands-on sessions in engineering, maths, physics, chemistry, geography, and biology.
Experience university labs in action, connect with researchers, and discover exciting pathways into STEM careers.
Our events run throughout the the year. Dates and signups will be advertised here.
If you’re a Year 9 to Year 11 student, you might be interested in our other events and our school visits.
Teacher Days
The Faculty of Science and Engineering invites secondary school teachers to our annual series of Teacher Days. Each day focuses on a specific discipline, offering tailored experiences designed to support and inspire classroom teaching.
Teacher Days include:
- interactive workshops—featuring hands-on activities and resources aligned with each subject area
- panel discussions—exploring strategies to promote STEM and social science engagement among students
- networking opportunities—to connect with fellow educators, share ideas, and build lasting professional relationships.
These days give you the chance to connect with your teacher peers, explore innovative teaching approaches, and gain fresh ideas to bring back to your classroom.
School of Biological Sciences
Hands-on Genetics Lab & BEANZ workshop for Teacher PD at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
Date: Wednesday 26th November 2025.
Time: 8:30am – 3pm
Location: Rooms AM102/AM104 of the Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
Contact: Dr Diane Ormsby on diane.ormsby@vuw.ac.nz
Hands-on Genetics Lab. DNA can be used as a forensic tool as a direct result of the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the sequencing of the human genome. ach teacher will work with their own blood to extract DNA, use restriction enzymes, PCR, and electrophoresis to amplify the D1S80 VNTR locus from their own genome and attempt to distinguish their own two alleles.
BEANZ workshop. This workshop will focus on Level 3 Biology internals BIO 3.2 and BIO 3.6, with a specific emphasis on the teaching and assessment of genetic technologies.
Attendees will receive practical, ready-to-use teaching resources to enhance their classroom delivery and will have the opportunity to share their own successful experiences and troubleshoot challenges related to teaching these standards. Additionally, the session will include a dedicated time to briefly discuss the recently announced changes to the Science NZ Curriculum and gather feedback to inform Biology Educators' Association of New Zealand.
For more information see the following link/information below/attached information: Advertisement for Hands on Genetics PD Day and BEANZ NCEA workshop.docx or email diane.ormsby@vuw.ac.nz
To register for this event: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/BqszBCAAgA
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Physics Teachers' Day hosted by Te Wānanga Matū (SCPS).
Date: November 21st 2025.
Location: Laby physics labs.
Why: To celebrate and foster the community of physics teachers in Aotearoa, and to share our learning and teaching experiences with each other.
Register: https://forms.office.com/r/BjJsiH3FkQ
Chemistry Teachers' Day hosted by Te Wānanga Matū (SCPS)
When: 28 November (9am-3pm)
Location: HULT220 Hunter Building Kelburn Campus VUW
Why: To strength community and collaboration between chemistry teachers in the wider Wellington region and beyond. This year we will explore simulation based and GenAI activities to support teaching, as well hear from students about the transition from NCEA to university education.
Other activities
The Faculty is occasionally involved with other outreach activities in the Wellington region.
These activities include:
- school visits
- public lectures
- Chemistry Titration competition and quiz
- Café Scientifique
- helping out with regional STEM activities, such as the NIWA Wellington Science and Technology Fair.
See our Events page for details about upcoming events hosted by the Faculty.
School visits
We offer a range of opportunities for high-school teachers and students to engage with us. Activities include Experience days, Teacher days, and casual visits.
Fill in a form with your details, so we can set up a visit—either at your school or on the University campus.