Mike’s News Oct 20

Mikes News Oct 20

18-23 Oct Diwali
19-25 Oct Niue language week, Vagahau Niue www.mpia.govt.nz
20 Oct 7pm Cafe Scientifique: Prof Beasley gives Rutherford lecture,Tauranga Yacht Club
20-21 Oct 3:30 pm CoreEd webinar for mentors of new teachers. Register here.
21 Oct Peak of Orionids meteor shower http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
21 Oct 3:30-4:45pm, NZASE/Science Alive webinars for primary teachers. Register here
21-22 Oct STEAM Education Summit Crown Plaza, Auckland. $900. Info here.
22 Oct 3:30-4:45pm, NZASE/Science Alive webinars for primary teachers. Register here
23 Oct Mole day http://www.moleday.org/
24 Oct World climate action day https://www.climate-action.info/day/
24 Oct World polio day http://wpd.typepad.com/worldpolioday/
24-27 Oct iNaturalist is running the Great Southern BioBlitz
26Oct-1Nov Tokelau language week, Te Gagana Tokelau www.mpia.govt.nz
30 Oct NZ teachers’ day
31 Oct Deadline for students to apply for Peter Laing Ag Trust grant.
3 Nov 9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Taupō. Register here.
Moon NM Oct 21        1Q Oct 30        FM Nov 6        3Q Nov 12
  1. Prof Brian Cox is back in NZ in 2026 (June 2nd Chch, 4th Wgtn, 6th Ak). Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster. https://briancoxlive.co.uk/emergence-world-tour-asia-pacific/#tour
  2. 2025 SCENZ AGM 7.30 – 8.30 pm Thurs 27th Nov. Zoom link tba
  3. Tokelau language week: Useful classroom phrases
  4. Talks that may be of interest:
    • NZIP Wgtn is hosting Stuart Farmer, a leading Scots physics educator, to share the story of their national curriculum overhaul. 3:30-5pm, 21 Oct, S3 Lab, St Bernard’s, Lower Hutt. RSVP
    • With RAMP’s addition of these processes to 91413 & 91414, it’s fortunate that ESSE had asked James Renwick to speak to teachers on the Southern Annular Mode & El Nino Southern Oscillation at 7-8pm on 12 Nov. Register here to receive the link.

Info

  1. Te Ao Māori
    • The book Whenua – Māori Pūrākau of Aotearoa by Isobel Joy Te Aho White organises by region, traditional stories of how different parts of Aotearoa came to be.
  2. Professional reading:
    • An article critiquing the evidence for special education inclusion in mainstream classrooms.

Resources

  1. Biology:
    • information and activities on the human skeletal system [Sarah Gaze]
    • Membrane Transport is a PhET simulation that explores factors affecting movement of a solute through a cell membrane in passive diffusion to active transport
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
    • Video showing how to grow zucchinis up rather than out https://www.facebook.com/reel/1324791109343390
    • Entries are now open for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year and AgriKids NZ Regional Finals (free for AgriKids and $10 per team for Juniors). Register here
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4.  Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
    • The flowers that arrive with spring are a colourful spur to teaching about plant reproduction. Science Learning Hub Spring Collection has images, diagrams & models, including bilingual resources. The PLD article on pollination has helpful advice for teachers.
    • Best Evidence Science Teaching’s free resources (developed by experts at York Uni) include new ones on Separating Mixtures & Changing Materials, found here. (Sign up for free)
  7. Middle School:
  8.  Science:
  9. Te reo science resources

MoE/NZQA

  1. The timeline for curricula releases and implementation https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/teaching_basics_brilliantly_oct25

Can you help?

  1. The time has come for me to step down so I am looking for someone to take over this newsletter from 2026. This is an opportunity to do voluntary work for your community. More info here
  2. Canterbury Uni is conducting a survey with teachers about mobile phone bans, with the possibility of a $50 voucher for participants.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Vic Uni & BEANZ are running a Hands-on Genetics Lab, 8:30-3 on Wed 26 Nov at Kelburn Campus, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria Uni. More info & register here
  2. Term 4 PLD  on offer to date.

Technicians

  1. Kmart’s mini hot plates work well for junior science and evaporating for crystals etc. but it’s difficult to maintain a rolling boil on them. [Charlotte Hurst]
  2. Microserve (36 Glenveagh Drive, Mt Roskill, Ak) now services high school microscopes. Contact Alan Henry at microserve4u@gmail.com or 0211805671.

Vacancies

  1. Waitakere College is looking for a new HoD Bio. https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/1HApjw-head-of-biology-start-term-1-2026

Cheers, Mike

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