19 Jun |
World Albatross Day Link to RNZ |
20 Jun |
Matariki celebration (star cluster visible 19 – 22 Jun) teaching resources |
21 Jun |
Winter solstice NZ https://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set-1 |
23 Jun |
Deadline to enter Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow comp. Link here |
26 Jun |
8-4, Engenuity Day for yr12 & 13 girls interested in Engineering. UoA Grafton Rd campus |
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. |
Moon |
3Q Jun 19 NM Jun 25 1Q Jul 3 FM Jul 11 |
- Talks that may be relevant for us
- Cafe Scientifique Tauranga 23 Jun Brett Roberts talks about AI (milestones, current capabilities trends). Tauranga Yacht Club Doors open at 6:30 for a 7pm start, $10. Register with Julia.
- Missed NASA astrophysicist Dr Michelle Thaller? Catch her on RNZ.
- An online talk on exploring Jupiter’s Moon Europa from the Lunar Planetary Institute. Tues 17 June 7:30 pm CT [18 Jun 12:30pm NZST]. Streamed here https://www.youtube.com/c/LPIUSRA
- Matariki events & resources
- A presentation by Rangi Matamua https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbR78Jd1nGU&t=2s
- A feature film (90 mins, $7) https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/matariki
- Resources from Science Alive https://46449820.hs-sites.com/your-science-alive-monthly-newsletter-3?
- A new Matariki game https://matariki.twoa.ac.nz/guardian-of-the-stars-game/
- Upper Hutt City Council is putting on Matariki workshops. Take part in story-telling, raranga (weaving), manu tukutuku (kites), and making tukutuku panels. Register here
- Pā McGowan, Tangata Tiriti and rongoā/natural Māori medicine mātanga/expert, reminds us that Matariki isn’t just about the stars. 2min video clip
- Some ideas for teaching the science around Matariki (for both primary and secondary): PowerPoint
- Silo Park (Ak) has an event Sat Jun 21, 5-8pm. Neon artwork, switching on Matariki Lights on the Harbour Bridge, live music, kai, fire pits + the Matariki experience, He Kakano, inside Silo 6.
- Matakana workshops on weaving a basket $150 or a flower $75 Fri 20 Jun. Book here.
- The Wellington Astronomical Society will have telescopes on the waterfront predawn 20 Jun
- MOTAT’s LIVE Days (10am-4pm) are interactive, hands-on days filled with learning for the whole whānau! Weather 15 Jun; Energy 20 Jul; Flying 17 Aug; Communications 21 Sep
Info
- Mātauranga Māori:
- Māori use of stone https://teara.govt.nz/en/kohatu-maori-use-of-stone/print
- Some resources on heat transfer in hāngi, umu or rēwena context. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Gc0MHFJPoDDFsKAgwd-SsJdjdDRbIMVi
- Student opportunities:
- Next year’s Entrance Exam for the NZ International Biology Olympiad team opens for entries 15 Jun so please encourage ākonga to register https://nzibo.org/registration/
- CCSE is running a STEMM student challenge 29-30 Jul at Lower Hutt Town Hall. $10 per team (for years 5-13). Register by Fri 18 Jul
- Teacher Opportunities:
- Applications for the PM’s Science Teacher Award are now open. This prize is awarded to a qualified registered teacher of science (in a primary, intermediate or secondary NZ registered school or kura kaupapa) who is currently employed permanently. More information
- Agriculture teacher taster camps at Telford Campus 29 Jun-2 Jul and 21-23 Sep.
- Digital tools:
- A Chem Ed article on teaching students how to better prompt generative AI https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00212?ref=recommended
Resources
- Biology:
- ABC article what do plants do all day? https://www.abc.net.au/education/what-plants-do-all-day/13777938
- Use the resource Who Killed The Kiwi? to teach students about gel electrophoresis. UoO will send you a practical kit. Outreach Resources – Genetics Otago
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- Massey Uni’s Whenua Haumanu regenerative agricultural research project can host students for a day to explore how dairy grazing on different pasture systems effects nitrate leaching.
- Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani, who won the 2024 Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm, model best practice in combining Western science and mātauranga Māori. Rural Delivery
- Earth & Space Science::
- A video about the origins & power of Big Waves along the Northern California Coast. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/kqed07.sci.ess.bigwave/making-big-waves/
- An Alpha on limestone: Limestone A103
- Chemistry:
- Teach Engineering activity on oil spill solutions https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_enveng_lesson01_activity2
- An EIC article on contextualizing chemistry https://edu.rsc.org/feature/contextualising-core-practicals/4021172.article (limit of 2 applies to classroom resources only)
- Physics:
- NZASE literacy and numeracy resources on testing conductivity and rocket forces
- The physics of climate change https://perimeterinstitute.ca/news/physics-climate-change
- Primary & intermediate:
- Resources from USA’s dinosaur week:
- Eons series explores aspects of dinosaur evolutions in short 10 min clips
- A video of a paleontologist exploring the cataclysm that wiped out the dinosaurs
- The Dinosaur Train blends science, math, and critical thinking
- Resources from USA’s dinosaur week:
- Middle School:
- YouTube videos with worksheets and assessments for astronomy https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17MYC-2t__RV4jnBcXVV4dfSDvOPBOzUklK5g55mMFSs/edit
- Science:
- Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa / The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey citizen science project is taking place this year from 28 Jun – 6 Jul.
- The science of getting the biggest splash to your manu https://www.sciencenews.org/article/biggest-splash-pool-manu-science
- A science book you or your students might like to read
- How My Koro Became A Star, by Brianne Te Paa, read aloud. Farewelling a koro at Matariki. Explores Matariki traditions, links to the stars and uses some te reo Māori.
Can you help?
- NZIBO asks teachers to consider supporting this year’s NZ International Biology Olympiad team. They’re competing in the Philippines in the 1st week of Term 3 and still need to fundraise. Please donate to their Givealittle page
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- NZASE’s term 3 PLD for secondary teachers focuses on Writing in Science & Explaining for understanding. Face-to-face. Find out more here and register here.
Technicians
- Animates has laser pointers <1m. https://www.animates.co.nz/petsport-usa-laser-chase-interactive-pet-toy1.html
- Inzect Direct will supply live crickets: Insect pet food supplier – iNZect® Direct New Zealand
Cheers, Mike
Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of Warp Computers and NZASE