17 Feb	7pm Cafe Scientifique on apex predators at sea. Tauranga Yacht Club, $10.
20 Feb	1-2:30pm HHMI free online PLD on Sickle Cell Disease. Register here.
20 Feb	4pm. Hub webinar on using a knowledge systems approach in the classroom. Info here.
21 Feb	International Mother Language Day link
25 Feb	12-1:30pm HHMI free online PLD on Science of climate change. Register here.
28 Feb	Deadline to apply for Canterbury uni’s astronomy school for yr 12 students, link here
28Feb-29Mar	Ramadan http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/tp/ramadan-hub.htm
1-31 Mar	Melanoma March www.melanoma.org.nz/news-events/recent-news
1-31 Mar	Hearing Awareness Month https://www.nfd.org.nz/hearing-awareness-month2020
1-31 Mar	Whio Awareness month https://www.doc.govt.nz/whioforever
1-9 Mar	Sea week http://seaweek.org.nz/
3 Mar	World wildlife Day http://wildlifeday.org/
3 Mar	World Hearing day https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day
Moon	3Q Feb 21      NM Feb 28      1Q 7 Mar      FM 14 Mar

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • TENZ webinar about a new teaching resource on pōhatu penguins, including a virtual colony, & a Minecraft world & others. 26 Feb 4-5pm. Info here.
2. Seaweed Fest 1-9 March (also Sea week) Wellington https://www.loverimurimu.org/festival

Info

1. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Tom Bennett’s book Running the Room gives good advice on classroom management. Also, a video of an interview with him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74u8UY8Q8ZY [Lisa Janek]
   • An article about taking parent-teacher conferences online https://schoolbox.education/blog/5-reasons-to-take-parent-teacher-conferences-online
2. Student opportunities:
   • ESSE is providing a scholarship to send 10 senior students with a passion for astronomy to the RASNZ conference in Whakatane 9-11 May. Covers meals, accom, travel. Apply by 4 April.
   • Wonder Project provides reusable kits, online content, a teacher guide, PLD and a support ambassador for a term 2 rocket challenge. For years 5-6. Register your interest here.
   • International Toronto Biology Competition is open to High School students worldwide. Online, 75 mins 16-17 Apr. https://biocomp.utoronto.ca/
3. Teacher Opportunity
   • Ak uni is offering a science education postgraduate course with options to attend face to face or online. It will look at the PISA science framework, innovative pedagogies, incorporating mātauranga Māori & recent research in science education. EDCURRIC 704
   • After PPTA’s webinar for Overseas Trained Teachers (watch here), NZASE is providing one specific to science. Wed 5 Mar 4-4:45pm. Link.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A practical modelling human gas exchange to explore the effect of bronchoconstriction
   • Simulation of viral disease spreading https://www.upd8.org.uk/activity/316/PiggiFlu-is-coming.html
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Seven Sharp clip on a farmer who developed a huge avocado, the Titan!
   • Plan your students’ visit to Fieldays 2025 – apply for a promo code so students in a group of 10 or more pay only $10 each and a teacher with that group pays only $15.
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • An experiment to investigate the effects of hot air on the path of a laser beam
   • Practical to measure the effects of albedo
   • Julian Thompson video on the Alpine Fault and Bruce Hayward on Ihumatao fossil forest
4. Chemistry:
   • A poster, fact sheet and investigation to teach titration https://edu.rsc.org/infographics/all-you-need-to-teach-titration-effectively/4020326.article (EDU wing of RSC is free to join)
   • Stations to investigate physical and chemical changes Physical vs Chemical change stations
5. Physics:
   • Students design and construct sail carts, balsa towers and Rube Goldberg machines. To access instructions & video join teach engineering for free.
   • Ideas on teaching forces and motion https://www.teachphysics.org/home/forces-and-motion-ideas
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Youth Engineering Solutions has hands-on and engaging activities for clubs or camp – 45-minute, open-ended, flexible https://yes.mos.org/curricula/yes-curricula/yes-enrichment/
   • The latest newsletter from the NZ Association for Primary Science Educators   Term 1 2025 Newsletter – NZAPSE
7.  Science:
   • Tagging monarch butterflies is a relatively inexpensive and fascinating STEM project which NZ students can participate in. https://www.nzbutterflies.org.nz/project/tagging/
   • House of Science has opened a new branch in Nelson. To express interest in joining their library of science kits go to https://lnkd.in/g-9hNTM8
8. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • An ABC article on ideas for teaching students about sustainability https://www.abc.net.au/education/10-ideas-for-teaching-kids-about-sustainable-living/13970062
9. Nature of Science:
   • Roy Matthews is making a series of videos for science teachers. He has one on investigation types (ask him about a workbook) and another one on deciding which type to use when.

MoE/NZQA

1. Curriculum consultation is underway on content for Years 7-13 Te Reo Rangatira and Years 9-13 maths and Pāngarau. Consultation closes 28 April. More info here.
2. MoE has established a hub to support teachers to implement the national curriculum – PLD, resources, assessment, in-person support, info updates

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Kohia Teacher’s Centre, now on UoA campus
   • Courses for provisionally certificated teachers in Auckland, Whangarei, Christchurch and online. And for mentors in Auckland and online.
   • A course on Managing classroom behaviour – Julie McDougall, 6 Mar 9:30-12:30, years 1-8
2. A NZ course on managing classroom behaviour for $47. Dr LJ talks about the course here.
3. Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy in Auckland 1-4 July.  https://www.scienceacademy.co.nz/
4. The Science Roadshow tours NZ with live shows and hands-on exhibits that expand students’ comprehension of the STEM subjects.  It strongly supports the NoS strand and the 5 Foundational Science Capabilities.  Info & booking here https://scienceroadshow.nz/
5. Core Education has an online course , Te Tiriti Ināinei https://mailchi.mp/core-ed/treaty-modules-online-now-te-tiriti-inianei-the-treaty-now?e=eefb058da2
6. ESSENZ host a series of webinars through the year to support teachers of Earth and Space Science. You can find the webinar programme here and sign up here.
7. New webinars from The Education Hub ($60/year or $10/webinar):
   • Generative AI 2 yrs on – Teaching & learning implications: Hema Sridhar, Tue 25 Feb 7:30pm
8. Lab Managers: Real World Education is offering a new course called Laboratory Safety Manager Certificate. $2500. Places limited. Apply now.
9. Teachers Council webinar on leading curriculum change. 18 Feb 4-5:30pm. Register here.
10. PLD from Learning Network NZ, Cnr Universal/Soljan Drives, Henderson, Auckland
    • Cultural competence – Janelle Riki-Waaka or Nathan Wallis & Melanie Riwai-Couch.

Cheers, Mike

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