This is the last Mike’s News for the year

2 Dec	3:30pm. RAMP webinar to discuss changes to AgHort standards for 2025. Register here.
3 Dec	3:30pm RAMP webinar to discuss changes to L1 CB and L3 Bio standards. Register here.
4 Dec	Exploring science within an integrated curriculum, Te Papa. 9:30am-4pm. Register here
4 Dec	Review 2024 NCEA exams, Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland, 4-6:30pm. Register here
5 Dec	World Soil Day www.nzsoils.org.nz
11 Dec	International Mountains day www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp
14 Dec	Peak Geminid meteor shower 3 am. http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
Moon	1Q Dec 9      FM Dec 15      3Q Dec 23      NM Dec 31

1. A reminder to Auckland teachers & HoDs about the Exam Review Evening this Wednesday. Keri Garlick has set up Google forms for all the exams so that anyone who cannot attend can contribute.

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • Te Papa has a new resource – Ko au te taiao: Recognising that we are nature through mātauranga Māori values and the collections at Te Papa
   • The Conversation article – most scientists agree mātauranga Māori should be valued on par with western science.
2.  Literacy:
   • A science-themed wordle game https://www.the-scientist.com/game/words-for-nerds
3. Student opportunity
   • CSIRO is hosting a Young STEM Journalism Bootcamp Jan 6-31 2025. With guided feedback from experts, participants will learn to research, write and fact-check stories, developing their critical thinking and communication skills as they write articles for publication. $525 AUD.
4. Digital tools:
   • A couple of quick videos about using AI tools (you’ll need to join STEM learning, it’s free):
     • Using GammaApp to make a PowerPoint in 60 sec
     • Using Chat GPT to turn handwritten notes into typed text
   • Check out Bluesky, a social network alternative to X/Twitter. It offers control over content you see and people you engage with. https://bsky.social/about/blog/02-06-2024-join-bluesky
5. The latest NZASE newsletter has articles on the Royal Society Teacher Leadership Program for anyone and on Secrets of Papatūānuku for members only. Sign up for the newsletter or find resources here https://nzase.org.nz/. Join NZASE here https://nzase.org.nz/membership/ .
6. Form class end of year (EoY) activities
   • A People Find activity
   • Activity about survival on the Moon: https://www.csuchico.edu/anthmuseum/_assets/documents/nasa-exercise-survival-on-the-moon.pdf

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Practical extracting and testing the strength of plant fibres https://www.rsb.org.uk/images/RSB_Gopher_Science_Lab_booklet.pdf
   • EoY: do a bioblitz in the school grounds using iNaturalist https://inaturalist.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/151000194866
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Agribusiness in Schools have just adapted 2 more George the Farmer primary school resources to the NZC using a NZ context – Cotton; Farm Safety. Find all 9 here.
   • On Nov 6 NZPost issued a set of stamps on our native pollinators https://collectables.nzpost.co.nz/pollinators
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • A star gazing guide: The December Night Sky
   • EoY: make a pinhole camera as a way to trace the path of the sun across the sky https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera
   • EoY: Play a Geobattleships game https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/79_Geobattleships.pdf
4. Chemistry:
   • Wordfinds on metals  and the periodic table: Two chemistry wordfinds
   • EoY: Explore how the ancient Egyptians created dyes from plants and even snails, then have a go at creating indigo in the lab.
   • EoY: SAPS resource Medicines and drugs from plants – student cards and teacher notes and a SLH activity on rongoā.
5. Physics:
   • How do sunglasses work? A Teach Engineering lesson on EMR
   • EoY: Batteries made from pumpkin or potatoes https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/squash-power. Yes, it advertises a kit, but many secondary schools will already have this equipment.
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Several activities about pencils https://www.york.ac.uk/media/ciec/pencils/full/Pencils%20Full.pdf
   • Some science lessons in bread-making https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2012/bread/
   • The Education Hub videos show effective pedagogy in Maths education (not science but thought some might be interested).
7. Middle School:
   • Te Kawa O Tangaroa provides lessons, videos & activities on sustainable fishing and more for Years 7-10: https://bit.ly/48SYGXM [thanks to SLH for the heads up]
   • A dinosaur quarry virtual investigation https://researchquest.org/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Rocks_inf_becca_jan22
8. Science:
   • EoY: A comparison of home-made marinades – measure and compare the protein-digesting activity of fruits or vegetables commonly used in marinades.
   • EoY: try out a forensics investigation or two e.g. https://www.scienceinschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/issue3_detective_workbook.pdf
9. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • A climate change scavenger hunt https://www.takeactionglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TAG-Classroom-Scavenger-Hunt-Activity-2.pdf

MoE/NZQA

1. On its new website, MoE has given the Safety and Science document its own page, here. Much easier to find. Document properties says it was last updated in Sep 2024.

Can You Help?

1. NZCER is surveying teachers & students in years 5-8 to better understand perceptions & use of generative AI tools. They want to hear from those who do not use AI too. Info here. Survey here.
2. NZASE wants to create primary + junior science resources to support literacy and numeracy in science ready for 2025. To help them, please fill out a quick survey to provide feedback on topics you’d like the resources to cover. Find the Form here

Vacancies

1. NZASE is seeking proposals for providing PLD for teachers of years 1 – 11 Science: NZASE Request for Proposal

Technicians

1. There has been a conversation on SciTechTalk recently about options for health & safety training for Techies, Lab Managers & teachers. A summary of the contributions:
   • eLearning course on hazardous substances from Safety N Action:
   • NZ Laboratory Education no longer offer a Lab Manager program. Many find their General Lab safety micro-credential program useful, although it is not school-specific. Free in NZ.
   • Impac offer a zoom course on Risk Assessment and incident investigation
   • Responsible care offer a one day course on Chemical handler certification which is helpful for Lab Managers. They also offer 2 hours on chem safety training for science teachers (on your site). Need 10 participants to run a course. Small cost. If in Ak & interested for 1 day early next year, please contact Tania Pavlenko tpavlenko@diocesan.school.nz
   • There are quals available in Management and Handling of Hazardous Substances – Unit Standards 31290, 31293.
   • Real World Education https://www.rwe.ac.nz/ does 3 courses relevant to school lab techs, often free (depending on eligibility). Online. Nothing in the lab manager space at the moment.
   • Dr. Casey Davies did a free workshop at Waikato Uni (highly recommended) and is planning to organise an on-line course for School Lab Managers next year. I will let you know if I hear.
   • CSTA is planning PLD for Canterbury Lab Managers in 2025. I will let you know when I hear.

Have a great break, see you next year. If your email address is changing in 2025 please remember to let me know the new one so you can continue to get Mike’s News.

Cheers, Mike

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