Matariki Tech Design

Lesson 3 of 5 – Matariki Tech Explorations

Year Level: 5
Subject: Technology
Curriculum Area: Technology — Technological Practice Strand
NZC Level: Level 3
Lesson Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 25 students

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WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Plan a group technology project that reflects Matariki celebrations.
• Use the Pohutukawa star as inspiration to incorporate remembrance into our tech design.
• Collaborate to generate engaging ideas using digital or material technologies.

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Success Criteria:

By the end of this lesson, students will:
✅ Work with a team to create a clear project outline
✅ Show how their idea links to a Matariki theme, especially the Pohutukawa star
✅ Include at least one way that technology enhances the project idea
✅ Use their planning sheets to communicate their ideas clearly

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Lesson Description

In this collaborative session, students begin the design process of their own Matariki‐inspired technology project. Each group chooses a theme connected to one of the Matariki whetū (stars) — focusing today on Pohutukawa, the star associated with remembering those who have passed. Students will brainstorm then clearly plan their idea, developing how technology can be used to support storytelling, memory keeping, or celebration in connection with this Matariki kaupapa.

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Key Competencies Focused On:

• Thinking: Generating creative project ideas based on Matariki
• Participating and Contributing: Engaging with others and pūrākau (stories) in meaningful conversation
• Relating to Others: Listening actively, giving thoughtful feedback, contributing ideas respectfully
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Communicating planning through design sketches and words

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Resources Required:

• Large A3 planning templates (group copy + individual mini copies)
• Whiteboards or brainstorming mats
• Erasable pens or coloured markers
• iPads/chromebooks (optional – for groups interested in digital tech integrations)
• Printed dyslexia-friendly project idea cards
• Teacher-created "Remembering with Pohutukawa" video narrative
• Māori dictionary/glossary + Matariki word bank on the board

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Lesson Outline (30 Minutes)

⏱️ 0–5 Minutes – Whakawhanaungatanga & Launch

Activity: Karakia + Introduction

• Begin with a brief karakia to start the learning space.
• Recap what students learned in Lessons 1 & 2.
• Remind them today's focus is planning a tech-based Matariki project inspired by Pohutukawa, the star representing remembrance.

Teacher Prompt:
“What are some special people from your life or your whānau who have passed on, or even ancestors or tupuna we know through stories? How could we honour them using technology?”

🧠 Dyslexia Tip: Show visuals of Matariki stars and symbols beside written names on the board. Use a dyslexia-friendly font (e.g., Open Dyslexic or Comic Sans) for projected materials.

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⏱️ 5–15 Minutes – Group Brainstorming

Activity: Whakatō whakaaro – Idea planting

• In mixed-ability groups of 3–4, students brainstorm possible projects using large group planning sheets.
• Encourage projects using either digital technology (e.g. digital memory books, videos, animations) or material technology (e.g. light-up remembrance stars, photo holders, carved memory boxes).

Support Cards: For students who need a prompt, provide “Idea Cards” with project starters. These are printed on pastel-coloured paper using dyslexia-friendly fonts. Examples:

• Create a glowing star to place on a tree for someone who passed away
• Build a simple lightbox to display photos of ancestors
• Record voices of your whānau members sharing stories about tupuna
• Make a digital artwork slideshow of wāhine toa (women heroes)

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⏱️ 15–25 Minutes – Planning the Project

Activity: Mahere – Structured Planning
Each group completes their A3 Project Planner:

• Project Title
• What is it? Who is it for?
• What Matariki theme does it reflect?
• How does it link to Pohutukawa?
• What technology will we use?
• What materials might we need?

🧠 Scaffolding Support: For students who need extra help, provide sentence starters:
"Our Matariki tech project is a..."
"It helps people remember because..."
"We will use ___________ to build it."

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⏱️ 25–30 Minutes – Sharing & Feedback

Activity: Whakarongo & Whai Whakaaro – Listening & Reflecting

• Each group appoints 1–2 presenters to share a brief "elevator pitch" of their idea.
• Peers give positive feedback using a “Two Stars and One Wish” format.

🧠 Dyslexia Tip: Have these sentence starters visually displayed and provide stickers with symbols (🌟🌟❤️) to represent the feedback method.

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Extension for Advanced Learners

• Design a wireframe or rough sketch for a digital prototype (e.g. how the interface of their digital memory book might work)
• Explore how sensors or circuits could be used in their physical models
• Include an element of Mātauranga Māori they’ve learned from kaumātua or local kōrero paki (narratives)

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Adaptations for Diverse Learners

• Visual sentence starters provided
• Dyslexia-friendly fonts and overlays available
• Clearly colour‐coded templates
• Oral responses accepted instead of written for some components
• Digital voice recording option for students to “talk out” their planning

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (post-lesson)

• Were students engaged in connecting Matariki themes to their own lives?
• Did their ideas show a thoughtful connection to Pohutukawa?
• How well did groups collaborate and build on one another’s ideas?
• What scaffolding worked – what can be adapted next time?

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Next Lesson Teaser (Lesson 4 Preview):

Students will begin prototyping their Matariki tech projects. They'll explore suitable materials, test components, or begin creating their digital files.

💡 Kupu o te rā: whakaora – to restore or bring to life
Encourage students to “whakaora” their ideas from today into something they can begin to build or create in the next session.

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This lesson strengthens technological literacy, cultural identity, and creativity while weaving Mātauranga Māori meaningfully into practice.