2026 STEM Online registrations are OPEN!
*Free
*Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics externals
*Full coverage of all standards up to Excellence
STEM Online NZ
STEM Online NZ is a free interactive teaching and learning resource for NCEA external standards in STEM subjects. Designed specifically for New Zealand teachers and students by subject-specialist teachers, this resource combines interactive learning content, videos, animations, quizzes, game-based content, as well as classroom experiments and activities, all with a distinctly kiwi flavour. To access this resource, visit our Registration page.
The Resources
The University of Auckland is responding to a New Zealand-wide specialist teacher shortage by harnessing technology in an innovative new way to compensate for STEM teaching shortages. These highly interactive resources will help teachers, particularly those who are not subject specialists, teach STEM subjects. They do not replace teachers, but are designed to support teachers and engage students with content that is fun, relevant, contextual and exciting. STEM Online NZ currently covers Physics achievement standards: 90940, 91171, 91173, 91170, 91524, 91526 and 91523, Chemistry standards 90932, 91944, 91164, 91165, 91166, 91390, 91391 and 91392 as well as Mathematical Methods and Reasoning, 91578 and 91262. Additional standards through to level 3 will become available as they are developed. Intended to be used as part of a blended learning environment, alongside more traditional coursework, each module is divided into sections which covers the content of one NCEA external standard. It’s flexible as to how the content is used, it can be used as a learning tool, for revision, or a teacher can pick and choose parts of the course to use.
The Presenters
STEM Online NZ has a uniquely NZ look, tone and style. It’s designed to really engage secondary students with context that is real and familiar to them and it’s fun, with humour injected into the stories and images.
Another unique feature of this resource is that university students take the secondary school students on their learning journey through each module. The university students become a mentor, they are the first people the students meet when beginning the course, they are the presenters in the video content and they appear as avatars throughout the course content to offer encouragement and advice.
Cara and Bodene are the students presenting the Physics content. Daniel, Nisyola, Sophie and Elena present Mathematics. Star, Kasey and TK present Chemistry.
Our Courses
The goal of STEM Online NZ is to create interactive online teaching and learning resources for all NCEA externally assessed standards in the following subject areas; Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry.
A list of our current and future resources is below. NZ teachers can visit the ‘Register‘ page to sign up for any currently available courses. Free to New Zealand schools!
AVAILABLE NOW:
Chemistry, Level 1
90944 Acids and bases
90932 Introduction to carbon chemistry (partial coverage of standard as introduction to L2).
Chemistry, Level 2
91164 Structure and bonding (includes access to level 1 content, Atoms and ions)
91165 Organic compounds
91166 Chemical reactivity
Chemistry, Level 3
90390 Thermochemical principles and properties of particles and substances
91391 Properties of organic compounds
91932 Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium principles in aqueous systems
Physics, Level 1
90940 Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics
Physics, Level 2
91171 Demonstrate understanding of mechanics
91173 Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism
91170 Demonstrate understanding of waves
Physics, Level 3
91524 Demonstrate understanding of mechanical systems
91526 Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems
91523 Demonstrate understanding of wave systems
Mathematics, Year 11
Mathematical methods and reasoning (Includes measurement, space and geometry, algebra, number and pattern)
Mathematics, Level 2
91262 Apply calculus methods in solving problems
Calculus, Level 3
91578 Apply differentiation methods in solving problems
91577 Apply the algebra of complex numbers in solving problems
91579 Apply integration methods in solving problems
FUTURE COURSES:
UPDATED YEAR 11 STANDARDS
We are currently redeveloping our Year 11 courses to align with the new curriculum, scheduled for release later in 2026. Users of our resources will be updated as each new course is published. These will include Year 11 Physics and Chemistry.
