15 Sep	Deadline for consultation on proposal to change NCEA.
15-21 Sep	Māori Language week www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz 3rd week in Sep, M-Su
16 Sep	International Day to Preserve O3 www.uneptie.org/ozonaction/events/ozoneday
18 Sep	8am RSC free PLD on teaching bio with plants (SAPS). Info and register here.
19 Sep	deadline to enter Minecraft competition on sustainable seas. Here.
19 Sep	Deadline for senior girls from rural schools to apply for SheENG Waikato
21 Sep	MOTAT’s LIVE Day (10am-4pm) with a hands-on focus on communications
22 Sep	Partial solar eclipse visible from NZ 5:40 – 8:40 am more info
22-23 Sep	ESSE conference Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga. Info here
23 Sep	Spring Equinox NZ https://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set-1
24 Sep	Learning in Action 2025 Conference at ASHS. Info here. Register here
26 Sep	Astrobiology event 10-2, Air Force Museum. More info here. Register here.
26-27Sep	Exploring Giftedness Conference Chch https://www.exploringgiftedness.org.nz/
27 Sep	World Rivers day http://worldriversday.com/ (4th Sun Sep)
28 Sep	Tsunami warning siren test at the start of daylight savings. Info here
28Sep-4Oct	Tuvalu Language week, Te Gana Tuvalu www.mpia.govt.nz
28 Sep	10am – 4pm STEMfest at 148 Durham St Tauranga
Moon	NM Sep 22        1Q Sep 30        FM Oct 7        3Q Oct 14

1. Resources for Māori language week (the 50^th anniversary)
   • For those who want to try starting with waiata there are some here https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/learning-content-resources/te-reo-m-ori/5637157326.c
   • Some Shrek posters! https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1221512110020112&set=pcb.1221512336686756
   • Vocab activities for form time
2. Earth Fest is part of the Geoscience Conference in Auckland Sat 22 Nov. It’s part science festival, part careers expo with loads of interactive activities that are sure to inspire interest and excitement.

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • A Predator Free NZ article about using mātauranga Māori to monitor indigenous species (scroll down for several related articles) https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/research-innov/the-mana-whenua-way-to-monitor-indigenous-biodiversity/
2.  Pedagogy:
   • The critical thinking circle https://www.facebook.com/Edtechandmobilelearning/photos/the-critical-thinking-circle/1186067003552600/
   • An article critiquing Paddy Gowers doco on MLEs https://aecnz.substack.com/p/what-paddy-gowers-show-got-wrong
3. Teacher Opportunity:
   • Applications are now open for School to Skies / School to Seas Teacher’s Camp 18-26 Jan 2026. Explore STEM in the context of the defense forces. Info and apply here.
4. Scientists and Science Careers:
   • Mana Vautier works at NASA https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/living-the-dream/5637165603.p
5.  Podcasts:
   • The Sounds of Science podcast from the Department of Conservation shares real stories of NZ’s wildlife, conservation projects, and the people involved. To see all episodes click here.
   • RNZ’s Our Changing World podcast discusses the science of zero alcohol beer https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2025/the-science-of-non-alcoholic-beer

Resources

1. Biology:
   • The Royal Society of Biology (UK) practical effect of temp on cell membranes
   • A UK teacher sharing her notes, videos and questions for KS4 and KS5 https://biology-teacher.org/ks4-lesson-resources/
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Junior activities on Seed structure and Growing Seeds
   • A PowerPoint on Frost
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • A time-lapse video showing how the course of a braided river changes over time https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1481078936492739
   • The NZ Olympiad of Astronomy and Astrophysics invite you and your students to participate in the 2025 Challenge Exam to select a team to go to the 2026 Olympiad. Exam front page and Invitation
4. Chemistry:
   • Making a plastic out of milk: CH 06 Plastics
   • A cluster of simple organic terms – useful for revision?: Cluster organic chem
5. Physics:
   • Vector race game is a way to spark discussion on vector addition, distance, displacement, velocity, acceleration, momentum and impulse. Needs graph p[aper, coloured pens/pencils.
   • Doug Walker has made 2 public chatbot tutors for L2 and L3 Physics. You should be able to login with a google or Microsoft account. Level 2 here. Level 3 here.
6.  Science:
   • A Connected reading The Science of Rongoā – an investigation on the healing properties of kawakawa (with teacher notes)
   • Voting for te manu rongonui o te tau bird of the year starts 15 Sep (& ends 28 Sep). https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/
7. Primary & Intermediate:
   • A cut-and-paste insect activity: Insects
   • A chemistry practical for L3 or L4 identifying an unknown substance.
8.  STEM:
   • Genesis Modules on the water cycle, hydro-, solar- and wind-power https://www.schoolgen.co.nz/for-teachers/stem-pld
   • Selected BP challenges https://starters-strategies.cdn.prismic.io/starters-strategies/aJ2Kx6Tt2nPbaTrA_bp-challenges.pdf

MoE/NZQA

1. Info on future-focused secondary school subjects from 2028 in press release and on Tahurangi

Cheers, Mike

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