It is written for teachers and students, is designed to be photocopied, and is packed full of activities, links to the curriculum and Environmental Education ideas.

Contact our school educators about getting your own free copies of E-Box.

A breath of fresh air

April 2012

Information that breathes fresh air into the issue of wintertime smog. What is air pollution, what causes it, why is it so bad in Canterbury towns and cities, and what can you do about it?

A breath of fresh air (pdf 1.64 MB)

Are you ready?

June 2009

A topic that could challenge some and hopefully prepare all – community resilience. What's that all about? It's about how well we adapt to change, and in this instance, to environmental change. The shake of an earthquake, a threat of floods, the unpredictability of a pandemic and the global warming of our planet can all be scary and daunting. So being ready is what it is all about! And, on a positive note, it is also about what we can do now to reduce the impact of environmental change.

Are you ready? (pdf 2.13 MB)

On the move

April 2009

Embark on a journey about transportation – its impact on the natural environment, energy sources, the different ways we travel or could travel and potential actions we could all take to be more active and sustainable when it comes to getting ourselves from A to B.

On the move (pdf 1.67 MB)

On the move - references (pdf 62 kB)

A changing climate

June 2008

Our weather is changeable at the best of times, but now we must add the phenomenon of global warming. This issue explores climate change's global implications, looks at what it means for New Zealand and Canterbury, how it will affect people and the environment, and what we can do about climate change.

A changing climate (pdf 1.41 MB)

Waste not - want not

May 2004

Nobody wants a rubbish dump in their back garden or a landfill next door. But what do we do with all the stuff we want to throw away? Find out about the 5 R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and residual management. Packed with activities and practical ideas to reduce waste.

Waste not - want not (pdf 2.09 MB)

Power the future

January 2004

Energy is a hot topic of conversation for many people. How are we going to generate enough energy to sustain our lifestyles in the future? This issue looks at different ways to generate electricity, focusing on New Zealand’s renewable natural resources.

Power the future (pdf 3.17 MB)

Underwater mayhem

May 2004

What exotic beasties reside in our underwater gardens? New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems are under threat from a range of introduced plants and animals. Head underwater and see which ones are doing the damage and why? Find out how you can be part of preventing their spread.

Underwater mayhem (pdf 3.29 MB)

What on earth...?

June 2004

Come face to face with nature’s hazards. Earthquakes, tsunami, floods and droughts, this issue has it all.

What on earth...? (pdf 4.21 MB)

The Canterbury coastline

May 2004

The Canterbury coastline is spectacular. This issue explores the many different features along this diverse stretch of New Zealand's coast, from dunes to lagoons.

The Canterbury coastline (pdf 3.35 MB)

Get grounded

November 2005

Brown, dirty, muddy, hard, sandy, grassy - the ground underneath us is vital stuff! What soils are found in Canterbury and how are people using them?

Get grounded (pdf 947 kB)

Wild wonderful wetlands

October 2004

Wetlands – what are they, how do they work, and why are they so important? What impacts do people have on wetlands and how can we change this behaviour?

Wild wonderful wetlands (pdf 4.27 MB)

Biodiversity and terrestrial pests

February 2007

How do the relationships between the different lifeforms in an environment change when there are unwanted guests such as possums and mustelids?

Biodiversity and terrestrial pests (pdf 2.22 MB)

Water - the lifeblood of Canterbury

August 2007

In this issue, we dive into water, a natural resource that can be taken for granted – but shouldn't be.

Water - the lifeblood of Canterbury (pdf 1.31 MB)