| 24-27 Oct | iNaturalist is running the Great Southern BioBlitz |
| 26Oct-1Nov | Tokelau language week, Te Gagana Tokelau www.mpia.govt.nz |
| 30 Oct | NZ teachers’ day |
| 31 Oct | Deadline for students to apply for Peter Laing Ag Trust grant. |
| 3 Nov | 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Taupō. Register here. |
| 4 Nov | 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Tauranga. Register here. |
| 4-28 Nov | NZQA exams |
| 5 Nov | World Tsunami Awareness Day |
| 5 Nov | 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Auckland. Register here. |
| 5 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Otago at OBHS. Info here. Register here. |
| 6 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Wairarapa at Solway College. Info here. Register here. |
| 6 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Manawatu at Feilding HS. Info here. Register here. |
| 7 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, South Canterbury at Geraldine HS. Info here. Register here. |
| 7 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Auckland at MAGS. Info here. Register here. |
| 7 Nov | ESS PLD Auckland uni. Sign up here. |
| 8 Nov | National STEM/STEAM day US website |
| 10 Nov | World science day https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day |
| 10 Nov | 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Queenstown. Register here. |
| 11 Nov | 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Timaru. Register here |
| 11 Nov | Sow the Seed Regional Hub, BoP at Mt Maunganui College. Info here. Register here. |
| 11 Nov | 10-2 NZASE PLD looks at 2025 (stds/num/lit) and 2026. Gisborne GHS. Register here |
| Moon | 1Q Oct 30 FM Nov 6 3Q Nov 12 NM Nov 20 |
- Talks that may be relevant for us
- The NZ Antarctic Society Wgtn branch is showing Thin Ice (2013), Directors cut at 7pm Tues Oct 28, The George’s Rm, Thistle Inn, Mulgrave St. 6pm AGM, 6:30pm $20 buffet. RSVP.
- NZIP Canterbury is hosting Dr Stuart Farmer discussing lessons of curriculum change from Scotland. 4-6pm Thurs 30 Oct (4:00pm – 6.00pm), Staffroom, Burnside High School. Canterbury 251030
Info
- Student opportunities:
- Young Rutherfords offers a hands-on workshop on forensic science for students 10-13y. $25. Wed 10 Dec, 10:15am – 12:30pm, Arataki Community centre, Mount Maunganui. Book here.
- Riley from Young Ocean Explorers will come and talk to your students for an hour for free. Inspiring stories, stunning videos and more. Book here stef@youngoceanexplorers.com
- Revision:
- A video from Alison Campbell for Schol Bio on the recurrent key concepts and how to develop a concept map to revise and/or to plan an answer that integrates these 3 ideas
- End of year activity
- Possibly impossible scavenger hunt https://www.facebook.com/reel/1929463864291336
Resources
- Biology:
- A summary of Amoeba Sisters 86 videos with free activities (quiz, worksheet, interactive video) for each one. [Kylie Niemis]
- A recent paper on evolution of the human hand https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09594-8
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- KiwiFarmer is an online YouTube channel showing the ins and outs of farming sheep & growing crops.
- Mini book on soils in market garden context, aimed at a low Achieved level. [Jonathan Holland, Rebecca Kane]: Soil minibook
- Earth & Space Science:
- Explaining the high winds last week. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360862751/highest-highs-lowest-lows-heres-why-its-so-windy-week
- Shane Cronin’s paper on the risks from Mt Taranaki and the Herald’s summary
- Chemistry:
- Chem revision activities – from a list select the 4 that are connected in some way. L2 Structure and Bonding. and L2 Organics [David Moratti]
- An RSC activity to develop critical thinking by testing different explanations for an unexpected result.
- Physics:
- Information and activities on energy types & transformation [Sarah Gaze]
- Mr Whibley’s Physics has some videos you may find useful https://www.youtube.com/c/MrWhibleyPhysics
- Primary & intermediate:
- An investigation comparing the physical properties of slimes made by different recipes.
- Education for Sustainability (EfS)
- Some EfS resources from an American EEASC conference : EEASC resource
- A science book you or your students might like to read
- The Elements, A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray describes each element (except for the last 18) in text and photos. Fascinating.
- Literacy
- Literacy activities for biology https://teachlikeahero.co.uk/biology-literacy
Can you help?
- Julian Thomson has been asked by the Geoscience Society of NZ to create a video on a topic that will be useful for high school ESS curriculum & also showcase a variety of geoscience careers. To make suggestions, please complete this questionnaire & go in the draw for a free GSNZ publication.
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- Term 4 PLD on offer to date – a couple of small changes
- Physics day is full, apologies.
- Marine Metre Squared teachers’ workshop Th 6 Nov, 1:30-5pm at Gisborne Yacht club, Kaiti Beach Rd. 1:30 hands- on, 3:30 Data analysis. Register your interest with sally.carson@otago.ac.nz
Vacancies
- Posted in FB:
- Aorere College and Ellesmere College are looking for science teachers
- Kaikoura High School is seeking a teacher of Ag/Hort (the school has a new aquaponics unit)
Cheers, Mike
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