This term, Northcross students have been stepping into the shoes of real scientists and innovators through our exciting project-based learning focus:
“How do I, as a scientist and innovator, demonstrate the scientific process?”
To launch the problem-based learning (PBL), the whole school took part in the thrilling NX Great Marble Challenge. Students were challenged to design, test, and refine a marble ramp capable of rolling a marble to a precise target distance.
Over several weeks, classrooms transformed into buzzing science labs as students carried out repeated trials, collected data, created graphs, analysed statistics, and improved their designs using the scientific process. Teamwork, perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving were all on display! After fierce competition, one Year 7 team and one Year 8 team from each house earned the honour of representing their house in the Grand Final.
The finals, held in the gym on Friday, 15 May 2026, were packed with energy, excitement, and house spirit as students battled it out for the title of NX Great Marble Challenge Champions. Cheers echoed around the gym as competitors carefully launched their marbles, hoping for the perfect roll!
To encourage students further, this week, it was also our pleasure to welcome Dr Kapish Gobindlal to Northcross. As Chief Technology Officer of Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited, Dr Gobindlal shared his inspiring journey from Sherwood Primary School to completing science expo projects at Northcross Intermediate and later studying science at Westlake Boys High School. Students were fascinated to hear how someone who once sat in the very same gym has gone on to become a scientist and innovator working on solutions to remove harmful chemicals from contaminated sites around the world. His story helped students see that the scientists and innovators of the future could very well be sitting in our classrooms today.
The culminating task for our PBL is the Northcross Science and Technology Expo. From this event, selected student projects will go on to represent Northcross at the North Harbour Science and Technology Fair, proudly sponsored by Earth Sciences New Zealand. This prestigious competition showcases projects from schools across the North Shore and will be hosted in the Northcross gym, with public viewing open on Saturday 5 September 2026. The official prize giving will take place at 7:00pm on Tuesday 22 September 2026, also hosted by Northcross Intermediate.
The challenge, our guest speaker, and the upcoming Science and Technology Expo all showcase the enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity, and determination of our amazing Northcross learners. We cannot wait to see the incredible innovations our young scientists create this year!
Louise McMenamin – Teacher in Charge Science
