Exploring Life’s Origins – A Geothermal Field Day for Primary Teachers

On Sunday, 21 September 2025, primary school educators from across Aotearoa New Zealand are invited to take part in a unique professional learning experience in Rotorua, hosted by the New Zealand Astrobiology Network. Exploring Life’s Origins is a special astrobiology field trip that will explore two of New Zealand’s most otherworldly geothermal landscapes: Ōrākei Kōrako and Wai-O-Tapu.

Colourful silica terrace formed by hot water algae growing in the geothermal area of Ōrākei Kōrako. Image source: Adobe Stock

Why these sites?

Our geothermal areas are local taonga, rich in cultural meaning and scientific significance. From an astrobiology perspective, they provide powerful analogues for the extreme environments where life may first have emerged on Earth — and for places where life might exist beyond Earth, such as Mars or Europa. With their steaming vents, colourful silica terraces, boiling mud pools, and acidic springs, both sites serve as natural laboratories for asking the biggest of questions.

Exploring Life’s Origins | Big questions for the day

• What is life?

• How did it begin?

• Could it arise elsewhere in the Universe?

Teachers will be supported to connect these questions with mātauranga Māori and with the realities of the primary classroom.

Schedule

⏰ Meet at Ōrākei Kōrako 8:45 am for the 9:00 am ferry. Guided walk until approximately 11:30 am.

🚌 Travel to Wai-O-Tapu 30 minutes’ drive, arrive by 12:30 pm for lunch.

🌋 Afternoon visit  Return to Ōrākei Kōrako to continue exploring.

Learn More | Book Now

Ngā mihi

A big thank you to Jim Critchley for sharing this opportunity with our kaiako readers at Bay Science, and to the New Zealand Astrobiology Network for creating such an inspiring event for our kaiako.