Mike’s News Jul 21

Posted on by Mike Stone
21 Jul 1969 1st moon walk https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-11/#.UtmgLOuBr-k
21 Jul 7pm Robyn Deniz talk on Antarctica. Tauranga Yacht Club, Sulphur Pt. $10
23 Jul 9-3 Great Lakes Centre Taupō Energy Career Pathways field trip, for Yr 11-13 students
25 Jul 2am Science is Cool online conference starts. Sign up here to access recording
27Jul-2 Aug Vanuatu Bislama Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
30 Jul NZGA Winter Seminar in NZ Geothermal Week
25 Jul 2am Science is Cool online conference starts. Sign up here.
27Jul-2 Aug Vanuatu Bislama Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
28 Jul-2 Aug NZ Geothermal Week. NZGA Winter Seminar, held this year on 30 Jul
29-30 Jul STEMM student challenge at Lower Hutt Town Hall
31 Jul Free PLD on geothermal ecosystems, Craters of the Moon, Taupo. Book with Rachel.
1 Aug Deadline to apply here for Ch Ed Trust awards for chemistry gear.
3-9 Aug Cook Islands Māori Language week, Te Reo Māori Kūki Āirani www.mpia.govt.nz
4 Aug LEARNZ virtual field trip to Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain ecosanctuary.
Moon NM Jul 25        1Q Aug 2        FM Aug 9        3Q Aug 16
  1. Talk that may be relevant for us
    • The Rutherford Medal winner Professor Richard Beasley CNZM FRSNZ is giving lectures in Napier, Wgtn, PN, Nelson & Chch on unexpected findings from influential research programs in the health sciences. https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/tales/
  2. You can now get your free tickets for STEMFest, happening in Tauranga on Sun 28 Sep. https://events.humanitix.com/stemfest-2025
  3. Our the Rainbow Warrior at Halsey St Wharf Sun 20 Jul. More info
  4. iNaturalist is running the Great Southern BioBlitz from Fri 24 – Mon 27 Oct. GSB poster
  5. Over two Saturdays, 2 and 9 Aug, experienced editors from Wikimedia Aotearoa NZ are running a Wikipedia edit-a-thon to create & improve articles focused on Aotearoa NZ’s unique native flora & fauna at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Wgtn. 10am-4pm. Bookings required, $5 per person. More info.
  6. Vanuatu Language week https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/pacific-languages/pacific-language-weeks/vanuatu-bislama-language-week/ . Does anyone know a person from Vanuatu in Auckland who I might be able to meet about vocab for language week? mikhal@actrix.co.nz 

Info

  1. Student opportunities:
    • Ak schools are invited to join in the Alchemists Competition, Th 27 Aug. This inter-school event is a competitive, card-based challenge. Info here. Register here.
    • Students can now register for the 2026 NZ Chemistry Olympiad Competition. The training group selection exam will be held on about 15 Sep. Please register before 8 Sep.
    • Girls on Ice Aotearoa runs an expedition 12-22 Jan, exploring Ruapehu’s glaciers. https://www.inspiringgirls.org/goi-aotearoa-nz Apply by midnight 17 Aug
    • MacDiarmid Institute’s Discovery Camp is a fully paid-for science camp for current year 12 & 13 Māori & Pacific Island students with a genuine passion for the science 19-23 Jan 2026 in Ak. Students experience hands-on science with some of NZ’s top researchers! Apply by 17 Aug.
    • MacDiarmid Institute’s Nano Camp is fully funded & in Wellington 19-23 Jan 20-26. Hands-on investigations with top scientists for current year 12 or 13 students with a strong academic background who are hoping to continue with science. Apply by 17 Aug.
    • National Fencing Field Day Wed Aug 6 at Wairakei, Taupō.
  2. Congrats to the 4 students who represented NZ at the recent International Chem Olympiad in Dubai. Cael Sia (Rangitoto College), Alex Zhao (Westlake BHS) & Joseph Guo (Hamilton BHS) were awarded Bronze medals while Kelly Liu (Pinehurst School) received an Honourable Mention.

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
  7.  Science:
    • Lian & Vicki over at BayScience have posted info on a local scientist, Juliet Linzmeier, working on seaweed, and suggested possible learning and assessment activities to give teachers some ideas on how students might use seaweed in the science classroom.
  8. A science book you or your students might like to read
    • Tsunami, by Kimiko Najikawa (read aloud). An old man who saves his village from a tsunami. Teaches that long, strong earthquakes and sea retreat precede tsunami.

Can you help?

  1. BEANZ, HATA, NZASE, NZIP & SCENZ are asking teachers for key points for the MoE’s curriculum team to consider.  Please give your thoughts in this survey. Forward to colleagues, as the aim is to get feedback from NZ secondary teachers of any science course. Deadline 28 July.
  2. The Moths & Butterflies of NZ Trust is surveying people who spend time in the outdoors (as many teachers do!) to find out if wasps are a problem in NZ. Info here. Deadline 31 July.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. A reminder that NZASE & Science Alive are offering primary science PLD this term. Mikes News Jul 21 Primary PLD
  2. ESSENZ PLD webinars this term, 7-8pm on Thursdays (register here): 91191 Extreme Earth Events 24 July; 91414 Atmosphere Systems 31 July; 91193 Physical Principles in Earth Systems 7 Aug
  3. Aquaculture Learning Lab has online courses, some free, some cost. https://www.aquaculturelearninglab.com/ourcourses
  4. In Science Learning Hub’s PLD Th 14 Aug 4-4:45pm, Greta & Sally Carson talk about participatory science and monitoring our waterways & oceans. Info here. Register a class &/or yourself here.

Technician

  1. The Ministry of Health Office of Radiation Safety has recently published information on the use of radiation in schools. Make sure you are aware of your responsibilities. Radioactive Material in Schools MoH
  2. SciPAD technician’s notes are available here

Cheers, Mike

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