Measurement Matters is Going National!
A measurement-focused educational science kit, developed in partnership with House of Science, is being rolled out to schools across the country.
We have some exciting news to share: the Measurement Matters educational science kit, developed in partnership with House of Science(external link), is officially being rolled out to schools across the country.
The kit was born several years ago when we at the Measurement Standards Laboratory (MSL) sponsored its creation. Our scientists worked closely with the House of Science team to design hands-on activities that bring the science of measurement to life in the classroom. Since then, it's travelled to schools around Greater Wellington and further afield, and even made an appearance at our 2025 World Metrology Day event(external link) held at MBIE.
The national roll-out for the kit has come about as part of the announcement(external link) of a refreshed science curriculum for years 0-10. As the named government provider of science kits(external link) for primary and intermediate state and state integrated schools, House of Science kits will support teachers with the delivery of the refreshed science curriculum, and with measurement techniques having an important role in investigative practices, Measurement Matters will now reach even more young New Zealanders.
Feedback on the kit from schools who have already used it has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers and students embracing its hands-on approach to learning – from comparing non-standard and standard units, to trusting measurement tools. We're incredibly proud that a kit MSL helped bring to life will now help spark curiosity nationwide about the role measurement plays in the world around us.
MSL Director Dr Peter McDowall says, "It's fantastic news that Measurement Matters – and measurement education more broadly – will now reach classrooms right across the country. Measurement is one of the most fundamental tools in science, and giving more students hands-on experience with it early on matters enormously. As NZ’s national metrology institute, we are invested in having a strong science curriculum for New Zealand kids, and we’re happy to now be playing a part in that, thanks to House of Science."
House of Science CEO Chris Duggan, MNZM, says, “We really enjoyed working with MSL to develop the Measurement Matters kit. It has proven to be very popular with students and teachers alike, so it is great news that it will now have a wider reach. We will be producing over 150 new copies of the kit at our manufacturing facility in Tauranga, to add to the existing stock, and it’s expected to start arriving in schools in the new year.”