title: Literature review on motor skill and physical activity in preschool children in New Zealand

authors: Ali, Ajmol

subjects: Physical Literacy

abstract: Children’s physical activity levels have decreased significantly over the past 20 - 30 years, coinciding with obesity rates reaching epidemic levels. There is little research into typically developing preschool (birth to 5 year-olds) child- ren’s physical activity, with the majority of research focusing on children at risk of motor skill or neurological deficiencies. This review examines current research into young children’s development, especially motor development and physical activity, the effectiveness of intervention programmes for pro- moting children’s physical development and the various methods used to as- sess physical development. A decrease in children’s physical activity levels has coincided with an increase in obesity rates. Further research is needed to de- termine culturally and contextually appropriate and effective interventions for preschool children. Areas for further research include preschool children’s physical activity, particularly in regards to movement guidelines and require- ments for this age-group and ways to overcome potential barriers to meeting physical activity requirements. Young children’s physical activity and motor skill proficiency may be an important predictor of later-life physically active behaviors. Physical literacy and physical activity interventions within early childhood education could potentially support academic skills as well as phy- sical skills and behaviors.

text: Literature review on motor skill and physical activity in preschool children in New Zealand Children’s physical activity levels have decreased significantly over the past 20 - 30 years, coinciding with obesity rates reaching epidemic levels. There is little research into typically developing preschool (birth to 5 year-olds) child- ren’s physical activity, with the majority of research focusing on children at risk of motor skill or neurological deficiencies. This review examines current research into young children’s development, especially motor development and physical activity, the effectiveness of intervention programmes for pro- moting children’s physical development and the various methods used to as- sess physical development. A decrease in children’s physical activity levels has coincided with an increase in obesity rates. Further research is needed to de- termine culturally and contextually appropriate and effective interventions for preschool children. Areas for further research include preschool children’s physical activity, particularly in regards to movement guidelines and require- ments for this age-group and ways to overcome potential barriers to meeting physical activity requirements. Young children’s physical activity and motor skill proficiency may be an important predictor of later-life physically active behaviors. Physical literacy and physical activity interventions within early childhood education could potentially support academic skills as well as phy- sical skills and behaviors.

year: 2017

title: Thermoplastic composites in sustainable construction: Topology optimisation and additive manufacturing for a recyclable and modular building system

authors: Allouche, William

subjects: Additive Manufacturing

abstract: Despite the significant environmental impact of the building sector, sustainable building practices are yet to be widely adopted. This paper describes a practical approach based on computational design and additive manufacturing (AM) to generate modular and structural walls, following design for disassembly and recyclability principles. In this research, the anisotropy of recyclable
short-fibre reinforced thermoplastic (SFRTP) composites is utilised. The proposed methodology involves starting from the building’s typology and using topology optimisation (TO) as a form-finding tool in the design of structural wall modules. The finite element analyses (FEA) guiding the TO are based on conventional building-codes used for load calculations. The TO-defined modules are then further optimised in stiffness by matching the principal stress directions with the AM printing path. Two case studies, the ground floor of a 3-storey building and a bus shelter, are used to illustrate the outcome of the approach. This comprehensive workflow generates structural elements with built-in optimised and tailored performance while enabling unique geometries that combine structural efficiency with architectural creativity.

text: Thermoplastic composites in sustainable construction: Topology optimisation and additive manufacturing for a recyclable and modular building system Despite the significant environmental impact of the building sector, sustainable building practices are yet to be widely adopted. This paper describes a practical approach based on computational design and additive manufacturing (AM) to generate modular and structural walls, following design for disassembly and recyclability principles. In this research, the anisotropy of recyclable
short-fibre reinforced thermoplastic (SFRTP) composites is utilised. The proposed methodology involves starting from the building’s typology and using topology optimisation (TO) as a form-finding tool in the design of structural wall modules. The finite element analyses (FEA) guiding the TO are based on conventional building-codes used for load calculations. The TO-defined modules are then further optimised in stiffness by matching the principal stress directions with the AM printing path. Two case studies, the ground floor of a 3-storey building and a bus shelter, are used to illustrate the outcome of the approach. This comprehensive workflow generates structural elements with built-in optimised and tailored performance while enabling unique geometries that combine structural efficiency with architectural creativity.

year: 2025

title: Te Tarata

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: This composition placed second in the Haka Composition Section. Te Tarata this composition commemorates the battle of Te Tarata in Te Whakatōhea 15 October 1865. This was the aftermath of the killing of the missionary Rev Carl Sylvius Volkner on the 2 March 1865. At the battle of Te Tarata it is recorded as the only calvary charge in the New Zealand Land Wars. Te Whakatōhea ingeniously wove around the palisade walls tī kouka (Cordyline australis) or cabbage tree. When the canon ball hit the palisades the tī kouka absorbed the force of the canon ball and rebounded the ball. 20 Te Whakatohea were killed and a number of others were wounded. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka Competition 2015.

text: Te Tarata This composition placed second in the Haka Composition Section. Te Tarata this composition commemorates the battle of Te Tarata in Te Whakatōhea 15 October 1865. This was the aftermath of the killing of the missionary Rev Carl Sylvius Volkner on the 2 March 1865. At the battle of Te Tarata it is recorded as the only calvary charge in the New Zealand Land Wars. Te Whakatōhea ingeniously wove around the palisade walls tī kouka (Cordyline australis) or cabbage tree. When the canon ball hit the palisades the tī kouka absorbed the force of the canon ball and rebounded the ball. 20 Te Whakatohea were killed and a number of others were wounded. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka Competition 2015.

year: 2014-10-10