| 28Jun-6Jul | NZ Garden Bird Survey https://gardenbirdsurvey.nz/take-part/ |
| 28Jun-6Jul | NZ International Science Festival will be held in Ōtepoti Dunedin https://scifest.org.nz |
| 30 Jun | Asteroid day https://asteroidday.org/ |
| 30 Jun | Deadline to give govt feedback on Predator free 2050 strategy. Access here. |
| 1-3 Jul | Physikos conference, Ak uni. https://confer.eventsair.com/nzip2025/ |
| 1-4 Jul | Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy in Auckland https://www.scienceacademy.co.nz/ |
| 2-5 Jul | SciCon Logan Park HS Dunedin. Start 6pm Wed, finish 12pm Sat https://scicon2025.nz |
| 6-12 Jul | Kiribati Language week, Te Taetae ni Kiribati www.mpia.govt.nz |
| 10 Jul | Deadline to apply for PM’s Space prize. Info here. |
| 11Jul | World Population Day www.stats.govt.nz –> Schools Corner |
| Moon | 1Q Jul 3 FM Jul 11 3Q Jul 18 NM Jul 25 |
- Talks that may be relevant for us
- UNE Zoological Society is holding a free online & ftf De-Extinction discussion 5:30-7pm 4 Jul AEST (7:30-9pm NZST same day). Incudes Nic Rawlence from Otago uni Register here.
- Free screening of Whetū Mārama, Hek Busby’s film about resurrecting waka navigation 6-8pm Th 10 Jul Grey Lynn Library. Book here.
- Hiroshima memorial is being held Sun 10 August 11am at the Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens, Christchurch.
- Kiribati language week: Classroom phrases in Kiribati 2025
Info
- Professional reading/watching/listening:
- A TEDx talk about how we learn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKvK2foOTJM
- Student opportunities:
- Yr 12 or 13 students can apply for the PM’s Space Prize for Student Endeavour for a science (or technology) project related to space or advanced aviation ($50,000).
- Kōtui Ako VLN provides 1hr online learning weekly for students at your school, useful if a class size is not viable, timetables clash or specialist teachers are lacking. It has a cost & your school needs to provide an e-teacher (0.2 FTTE) and an e-dean. More info here (scroll down) & here.
- Apply now for Rotary National Science & Technology Forum 10-24 Jan 2026., when year 12 students explore sci, maths & tech at uni – lecture, labs, field-stations – & in industry. Deadline 29 Aug
- Teacher Opportunities:
- Want to gen up on biotechnology & DNA? The MWC offers biology teacher scholarships to attend the 2025 Plenary Lecture and QMB Meeting in Christchurch (3–5 Sep). 2025 QMB
- Scientists and Science Careers:
- A British booklet on medical physics and engineering careers https://physicsworld.com/p/ipem-careers/#IPEMCareers25_1
- NZ Schools can apply for funds to buy chemical equipment for student use. Chem Ed Trust Grants
Resources
- Biology:
- A worksheet on phylogenetic trees using PhyloT
- A resource from Canterbury Uni on adaptations to cold (reading & activity)
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- Making apple trays from waste paper https://www.facebook.com/catherineweddfortukituki/videos/1423841662150448
- Grow a Garden is an online Roblox game where players plant virtual seeds and grow exotic plants which they can harvest & sell. Sign up for free or login to play here.
- Earth & Space Science:
- Planetary Defenders is a documentary about protecting earth from potential asteroid impacts.
- Science Learning Hub has a Volcano card game – a fast-paced intro to natural disasters. https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/5-minute-volcano.
- Am. Geosciences Institute posters: Earth Materials in Our Lives, Geologic Map of the Moon & Earth Science Everywhere. Click here to see images of the posters & to order. Only charge is P&P.
- Chemistry:
- Sequencing electrochemistry practicals https://edu.rsc.org/feature/the-7-best-practicals-for-teaching-electrochemistry-from-11-18/4020527.article
- PowerPoint, worksheet and activity to use when teaching the structure of benzene and a blog post on its history
- Physics:
- Informal learning activities from Teach Engineering are designed for flexible learning spaces and informal environments. They are easy to prepare and take < 1h.
- A make-a-motor activity. EL 14 Motor
- Primary & intermediate:
- Videos from SLH & NZAPSE introducing simple, engaging hands-on activities for primary classrooms with a focus on observation & inference. Density, colour, magnification, sound.
- Some design-and-build challenges. GA 02 Challenge Cards
- A science book your students might like to read
- River Story, by Meredith Hooper, read aloud describes a river from source to sea. Explores erosion, types and parts of rivers, water cycle, animals.
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- Empower Kea shares webinars and resources for addressing barriers for less able students:
- Blending L2 & L3 chemistry standards into a single course.
- Test-anxiety and memory
- Science is Cool – a free virtual conference for science teachers 24 Jul starting at 10am ET (2am 25 Jul NZST!!!). Sign up to access the recording afterwards. https://www.thepocketlab.com/scic
Technicians
- Labels: https://www.online-sign.com/ ; https://www.preproom.org/labels-and-signs/ ; www.periodni.com
Vacancies
- NZQA is looking for markers for the L1 Sciences. Apply here. Its paid & is good PLD, but it’s not easy. Panel meetings & marking are all online. You’ll mark 500-1000 scripts & finish by Dec 20.
Cheers, Mike
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