Science Publications
Science is one of the eight learning areas in the New Zealand Curriculum.
The Science learning area assessments were administered in Term 3 of 2024. In 2024, the New Zealand Curriculum (2007) remained in place for science. As such, it provided the basis for the Curriculum Insights science learning area study.
The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study assesses all eight learning areas over a four-year cycle.
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Technical report 2024: Science & Mathematics & Statistics, Foundation areas - Mathematics and Writing
This report describes the methods and procedures used to design, develop, and implement the 2024 Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (Curriculum Insights), including the development of its assessment instruments and the analysis of the resulting data. The information provided supplements…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Success in Science, 2024
This dashboard provides a succinct summary of three key success indicators at Years 3, 6, and 8 for the Science learning area: achievement, curiosity, opportunities to learn science and make connections. The 2024 study was based on the 2007 New…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Illustration - How does students’ use of science knowledge to make decisions progress across Years 3, 6 and 8?
This document is one in a collection of illustrations of progression for teachers developed through the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study. They are designed to support teachers to better understand the growing complexity of students’ responses as they progress through…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Illustration - How do the ways in which students critique evidence progress across Years 3, 6 and 8?
This document is one in a collection of illustrations of progression for teachers developed through the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study. They are designed to support teachers to better understand the growing complexity of students’ responses as they progress through…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Contextual insights report 2024 - Mathematics and Science
The purpose of this report is to provide contextual information to complement and help interpret the study’s 2024 achievement data for the mathematics and statistics, and science learning areas. For the most part, this report presents descriptive statistics reflecting the…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Summary of the 2024 learning area assessments: Mathematics and Science
This document provides a summary of the 2024 mathematics and statistics, and science learning area assessments for the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (Curriculum Insights). It supplements the information available in two summary dashboard reports and an interactive data window.…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Insights for teachers - Building systems thinking: Making connections to see the big picture
This insight is part of a collection developed through the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (Curriculum Insights). Each insight draws on study data to highlight students’ strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and offer practical classroom strategies.…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Insights for teachers - What science inquiry practices do Years 3, 6, and 8 students demonstrate?
This insight is part of a collection developed through the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (Curriculum Insights). Each insight draws on study data to highlight students’ strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and offer practical classroom strategies.…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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Curriculum Insights and Progress Study: Insights for teachers - Moving from curiosity to concept: Unlocking fundamental concepts about the sun and earth
This insight is part of a collection developed through the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (Curriculum Insights). Each insight draws on study data to highlight students’ strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and offer practical classroom strategies.…
Author(s): The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) at the University of Otago, and the New Zealand Council for Educational research (NZCER). Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: May 2026
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