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Mathematics and statistics – classroom activities, Pāngarau – ngā ngohe akomanga

Updated 29 Oct 2025

Examples of classroom activities to help students think about their future and how mathematics and statistics might relate to the world of work.

    Contents

    In mathematics and statistics you explore the patterns and relationships in quantities, space and time and within data. Learn how to use symbols and diagrams to explain results and solve problems.

    NCEA subjects that link to this learning area on Tahatū:
    Mathematics and statistics

    Career activities for Year 7 and upward
    Ngā ngohe aramahi mō te Tau 7, i tua atu anō hoki,

    Activity

    Description

    Role model career path

    Length of activity: Short

    Type of activity: Individual

    Research a role model’s career journey in maths and statistics. This person can be known to you or someone you admire.

    Maths occupations discussion

    Length of activity: Short

    Type of activity: Whole class

    Explore which occupations rely on mathematical and statistical skills. Use Tahatū to help you explore.

    Wage data graphing

    Length of activity: Long

    Type of activity: Individual/pairs

    Use Tahatū information on how much you earn to graph average salaries across different occupations. Discuss trends and implications.

    Career activities for Year 11 and upward
    Ngā ngohe aramahi mō te Tau 11, i tua atu anō hoki,

    Activity

    Description

    Maths in real life reflection

    Length of activity: Short

    Type of activity: Individual

    Reflect on times you’ve used maths or statistics in a real life situation and the skills you developed through these experiences.

    Subject choice and personal skills

    Length of activity: Short

    Type of activity: Individual

    Reflect on why you chose maths or statistics as a subject and how these skills can apply to the world of work and your own ideas of what you might do after school.

    Maths occupations discussion

    Length of activity: Short

    Type of activity: Whole class

    Discuss jobs that use specific mathematical concepts (eg, volume, symmetry, statistics) and how these skills apply in different industries.

    Career idea survey and data comparison

    Length of activity: Long

    Type of activity: Individual

    Use Tahatū to investigate career ideas, collect specific data and compare findings with other sources. For example, how pay compares across career ideas.

    University vs work-based pathway analysis

    Length of activity: Long

    Type of activity: Whole class

    Use Tahatū to explore different pathway options for careers that use maths and statistics. For example, mechanical engineering (university or apprenticeship).

    Explore student loans and government subsidies and compare university degrees with earn while you learn (work-based) pathways.

    Find out more
    Ako atu,

    Students can check out the study categories in the Explore study and training section of Tahatū to find out more about tertiary study in mathematics and statistics.

    Explore study and training

    Students can browse study areas on Tahatū. For example:

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