Mikes News Nov 17

4-28 Nov	NZQA exams
17 Nov	Peak of Leonid meteor shower 4 a.m. http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
17 Nov	Warkworth Teachers Day out in the Primary Industries. Full flyer here Register here
18-24 Nov	Antibiotic Resistance www.who.int/campaigns/world-antibiotic-awareness-week/en/
18 Nov	8:30-3:30 Long Bay College. Electrotest PLD on PASCO SPARKvue software. Info here
18 Nov	International day of LGBT people in STEM. https://prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/
19 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Waikato at St Paul’s Collegiate. Info here. Register here.
19 Nov	Practical electricity for years 6-10, online, 3:15-4:15. Register with melvindinn@gmail.com
19 Nov	1-5pm, NZASE PLD reviewing 2025, planning 2026. Nayland College, Nelson. Book here
20 Nov	Teachers Day out in the Primary Industries, Taranaki. Full flyer here Register here
20 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Canterbury at St Bede’s College. Info here. Register here.
20 Nov	Practical electricity for years 6-10, online, 3:15-4:15. Register with melvindinn@gmail.com
20 Nov	2-4pm Academyex, 99 Khyber Pass Rd, Auckland, Foundations of AI. Register here.
21 Nov	1-4pm, Academyex, 99 Khyber Pass Rd, Auckland, Ethical AI practice. Register here.
21 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Northland at Bream Bay College. Info here. Register here.
21 Nov	NZASE PLD on 2025 & 2026, at CSTA conf, Ara Manawa, 276 Antigua St, Chch. Book here
21 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Hawke’s Bay at Smedley Station. Info here. Register here.
23-29 Nov	Solomon Islands Language Week, Solomon Aelan Pijin www.mpia.govt.nz
24 Nov	2-4pm, Academyex, 99 Khyber Pass Rd, Ak, Practical cases using AI. Register here
23-29 Nov	Solomon Islands Language Week, Solomon Aelan Pijin www.mpia.govt.nz
25 Nov	3:30-5pm Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Wellington online Info here. Register here.
26 Nov	4-5:30pm NZASE PLD reviewing 2025 (stds, num/lit) next steps 2026, online. Zoom link, Mtg ID 845 4840 1585; Passcode 320147. Register here
26 Nov	Hands-on Genetics Lab workshop, 8:30-3, Kelburn Campus, Vic Uni. Register here.
27 Nov	3:15pm MoE webinars unpacking the draft curriculum Science Yrs 0-8. Join here
28 Nov	Physics Day, Auckland, venue AUT this year. Sorry, it’s full.
1 Dec	World AIDS Day https://www.nzaf.org.nz/ (Red Ribbon)
1 Dec	ESS PLD day at the Space Place, Wellington. No cost, lunch provided. Register here
Moon	NM Nov 20        1Q Nov 28        FM Dec 5        3Q Dec 12

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • The Best of Bill Bryson: Live on Stage shares the major advances of science (the rewrite). 10 Feb Wellington, 12 Feb Auckland. Book here.
   • Dr Simon Stewart talks about food webs and freshwater restoration, Cawthron Inst, 27 Nov, 5:30-6:30pm. It’s free but we are asked to book.
   • As part of Earthfest there will be 6 free public talks from experts on Sat 22 Nov: Auckland’s volcanoes, geological history, hazards, lava caves & fossils as well as careers in geology.
   • Webinar on urban forest soil biodiversity in Aotearoa. 12-12:30pm 25 Nov. Register here.
2. Solomon Islands Language Week starts 23 Nov, Solomon Aelan Pijin

Info

1. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Article on How to Keep Te Tiriti alive in your school til 2027 https://aecnz.substack.com/p/how-to-keep-te-tiriti-alive-in-your. And a list of 250 schools doing just that (might be more by now).
   • Suggestion to video exam feedback for students to view at their own pace https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/capture-learners-attention-with-video-feedback/4022415.article
2. Student opportunity:
   • Beginner shearing courses students may be interested in: 17-20 Nov Hawkes Bay, 1-4 Dec Clinton. https://www.elitewoolindustrytraining.com/book-courses/

Resources

1. Biology:
   • a reading on vitamins & minerals
   • Thermia is a card game to show how our body controls temperature. £5.25, buy & download online, make copies. https://origamiorganelles.com/collections/games/products/thermia
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • A video clip about a harakeke flax disease https://www.facebook.com/reel/1373518111008044
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • An article about cataclysmic variable stars https://scienceinschool.org/article/2025/investigating-cataclysmic-variable-stars/
4. Chemistry:
   • Some activities for UK’s chemistry week https://edu.rsc.org/rsc-education-news/take-action-for-chemistry-week-2025/4022280.article
   • This RSC resource uses Johnstone’s triangle to develop learners thinking about atomic structure of lithium at 3 different conceptual levels: macroscopic, sub-microscopic & symbolic.
5. Physics:
   • Two activities to learn about the interplay between potential & kinetic energy
     • A PBS interactive about a roller coaster ride
     • Jumping Frog challenge
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Exploring 3D models of Da Vinci’s inventions https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/da-vinci-inventions-interactive-gallery/leonado-da-vinci
   • A reading on yellow-legged hornets with an insect activity. Asian Hornets
7. Nature of Science:
   • NoS activities are great for end of year challenges that are fun and have some science behind them. Try:
     • Tricky Tracks
     • Draw a Scientist
   • Has anyone got a NoS activity they would like to share?
8. Te reo science resources
   • Weather posters, most in te reo Māori https://about.metservice.com/weather-posters

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Free Physics PLD for secondary teachers
   • 21 Nov at Vic uni, Wellington. A full day of practical lab sessions & expts, with classroom-ready ideas. Register here or learn more here.
   • 25 Nov in New Plymouth. Morning juniors, afternoon seniors. Message Kerry Parker for more details (ie on Messenger)
2. Next year, UoA is making available 5 gel electrophoresis & PCR kits for schools to borrow. To support this, Wilda Laux & Ak uni are offering a 2h workshop after school in term 1 2006 on how to run a gel & PCR. Gel & PCR Lab 2026
3. Agri Educators Leaders Course is fully funded PLD designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in New Zealand’s agri-education sector. 30&31 Mar, 2026 at Lincoln uni. AELC info & Registration
4. Amateur astronomy and stargazing courses Naseby, Otago 27-29 March, Naseby Town Hall. https://aaanz.org/registration/

Vacancy

1. Science Alive is looking for a STEAM teacher full time based in Christchurch to develop resources and deliver PLD around the country. Apply by 30 Nov https://www.seek.co.nz/job/88503365

Technicians

1. Investigations to test effect of surface area on reaction rate:
   • Tablets – whole, halved, quartered, and ground
     • Disprin + HCl
     • Aspro Clear + Water
     • Boost or Berocca + water
     • Gaviscon + HCl
   • calcium carbonate and HCl
   • magnesium ribbon and HCl
   • Lemons & acidified potassium permanganate: Make up a 0.001 M KMnO₄ solution. Acidify by adding 10 mL of 2M H₂SO₄ sulfuric acid per L. Cut a lemon into quarters, use 1 quarter whole, then cut the next quarter in 2, then the next into 4, final quarter into 8. Add the lemon to 25 mL acidified solution. Time the colour change from purple (to pink) to orange. Can also use rhubarb.
2. The flour and Bunsen burner demo, eg here https://www.instructables.com/Flour-Bomb-1/

Cheers, Mike

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