Personal Investigations

You have shared some fabulous Personal Investigations. Have you noticed the huge variety of interests and presentation methods?

Most of you will already have worked out what topic you will do this term. Remember your topic needs to include some research, using books, internet - or you can learn from people - as Estelle did when she interviewed her Niuen granddad - or you can learn by doing as Brianna did when she tested out all the playgrounds in Palmerston North.

This term some of you will need to narrow your topics a little. Instead of asking "What can I find out about ... egg plants? ... worms? ... the Universe?", you'll need to ask a more specific question. eg "What are an emu's predators?" or "What are the Palio Contrade and what are their symbols?" or "How were Medieval castles defended?"

Of course if you are learning a new skill or designing / creating / constructing something new, then this won't affect you.

Some of you have already started your next investigation. If you haven't started yet, you need to get moving. While it is possible to do an investigation in a couple of days, this should be a term's worth of effort.

Zain's Sky Tower

Zain had a dream... Inspired by Sarah's fabulous Drury Tower investigation, Zain imagined what it might be like to try to build a model of the mighty Auckland Sky Tower. According to his mum it kept him out of trouble for most of the holidays! We were mightily impressed by his efforts. Great Personal Investigation, Zain

Can I do up my pink and white bike? Tori's Personal Investigation

Matt's Personal Investigation

What is it like to live in Japan?

Kara's and Lizzie's Personal Investigation

This is our Personal Investigation. It is a life-sized papier mache pony. It has a wire frame. It took ages to make.

Personal Investigations

Q Zealanders carry out a Personal Investigation each term for their homefun. Here are some of the interesting topics we have chosen this year:

• Rocket making


• Icecream designing


• Kitchen design - including a scale model


• House design - including a scale model


• Parkour (look it up on the net or look at Tim's display in Room 13)


• Designing and building a scooter/skateboard


• Making a working wind turbine


• Mediaeval Castles


• Volcanoes


• History of the Tour de France


• Deconstructing and reconstructing a bike


• Poisons in the World Wars


• The Eiffel Tower


• Adventure stories about Q Zealanders


• Erecting Tents


• Freestyle Motocross

Students are asked to use the Enquiry Approach when they carry out their investigations.

1. Decide on a topic of interest


2. Ask a question (e.g. how can I build a beer powered radio?)


3. Research the question


4. Perhaps make a model


5. Present what they have learnt (can be a booklet, poster, chart, oral talk, PowerPoint, movie etc.)


6. Present it to the class


7. Include a bibliography