5 Nov	World Tsunami Awareness Day
5-29 Nov	NZQA exams
8 Nov	National STEM/STEAM day US website
10 Nov	World science day https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day
10-16 Nov	Papua New Guinea Language week, Papua Niugini Tok Pisin www.mpia.govt.nz
14 Nov	Teachers Only Day for Earth and Space Science at UoA. No Charge. Register here.
14 Nov	World Diabetes day https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/theme/
17 Nov	Peak of Leonid meteor shower 4 a.m. http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
18 Nov	International day of LGBT people in STEM. https://prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/
Moon	1Q Nov 9      FM Nov 16      3Q Nov 23      NM Dec 1

Diary does not include term 4 PLD events – see below.

1. Date for your diary – ASTA is holding a meeting at MAGS on 4 Dec to discuss the 2024 exams. Flyer: Exam Discussion Evening 241204
2. Alison Campbell is running Schol Bio tutorials and recording them online. But she will be deleting the folder after the exams so she does not run out of storage. You may want to download them.

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • The story of naming Te Riu-a-Māui Zealandia https://tetiniatangaroa.org.nz/projects/te-riu-a-m%C4%81ui-naming-a-continent
   • E heke e Heka is an interactive app from Scion for learning about myrtle rust in both te reo Māori and English. This free app is available on both Android & iOS. More info here.
2.  Pedagogy:
   • Using images effectively in science lessons https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/4-ways-to-successfully-use-images-in-your-lessons/4011753.article
3. Student opportunities:
   • Girls in Infrastructure Event Northland is an opportunity to meet professional women who work in the field and see what they do
4. Literacy:
   • Make your own wordle https://mywordle.strivemath.com/
5. The latest NZASE newsletter has articles on Overseas Trained Teachers (for anyone) and Pounamu (members only) as well as Māori scientist Stephanie Dijkstra. Sign up for the newsletter or find resources here Join NZASE here.
6. The term 3 Starters and Strategies magazine https://online.fliphtml5.com/axapw/pyzm/#p=2 has units on oceans, food poisoning, vaping, safe stopping.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Activity finding the best conditions for mould growth
   • A selective breeding activity: Put the cards in order
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Forestry resource from MPI https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/33391-ExploringNZForestry
   • Effect of soil pH on nutrient availability: pH affects nutrient availability
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • A star gazing guide: The November Night Sky
   • Video explaining how GNS monitor volcanoes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF0ef76-ve8
4. Chemistry:
   • How to teach structure and bonding of carbon https://edu.rsc.org/cpd/how-to-teach-structure-and-bonding-of-carbon-at-14-16/4020312.article
   • How to teach reactivity of metals https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/5-ways-to-teach-reactivity-of-metals-at-14-16/4020001.article
5. Physics:
   • Info sheets for many of our power stations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WX-62aGGGL9PwxOiuq9tvQY7Ydc69D18?usp=drive_link
   • Practicals from US teacher Peter Butchko https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1td2U0WCuA8fjQTRBGvfjxHTrxdifZFfe
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Latest issue of Why & How from the Primary Science Teaching Trust
   • This article discusses authors who write good science books for children https://www.thesapling.co.nz/the-reckoning-the-science-of-writing-science/
7. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • World without end by Jean-Marc Jancovici & Christopher Blain is graphic novel about climate change that neatly helps the reader understand complex topics. Review here.
   • Learn about Aotearoa fauna, flora and environments with the Zealandia trading cards. Order from education@visitzealandia.com, $70/set. Or download from here.

MoE/NZQA

1. Paula Calver and Rachel Chisnall will be running online workshops about the changes to all the science standards for 2025 after school on Nov 5 and 6 (teachers only need to attend one). Info here.
2. The National Curriculum refresh has published Yrs 0-6 English and maths from NZC and Yrs 0-6 Te Reo Rangatira and Years 0-8 Pāngarau from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (TMoA).

Can you help?

1. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is researching how primary school lessons on protection from invasive species can help prevent incursions of introduced pests. If you have the time, please complete the survey here https://forms.gle/yM43qJt86Fesbznc9
2. With rising costs NZ Geographic needs more subscribers to survive. The link nzgeo.com/trial allows you to try a digital subscription for two months for just $1. Or you could subscribe.
3. Massey Uni survey on factors that influence retention. MU wants to hear from teachers who thought about leaving and didn’t as well as those that left within the past 5 years.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Term 4 Science PLD has been updated.
2. NZASE offers free online PLD for primary science to individuals, teams or communities. Contact Greta at greta.dromgool@waikato.ac.nz
3. Learning Network NZ course for 2025:
   • Tiriti-led Practice in Education – by Janelle Riki-Waaka. 27 March and 22 May (both is best).

Cheers, Mike

Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of NZASE and Warp Computers