Mike’s News Aug 28

28-30 Aug Queenstown Molecular Biology meeting, focus on nanotechnology applications
29 Aug International Day Against Nuclear tests www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/
29 Aug Deadline to enter animal testing essay to ANZCCART
30 Aug 1871 Ernest Rutherford was born. http://www.rutherford.org.nz/
31 Aug Deadline for yr 12 students to apply for UoC’s summer camp. Info here.
31 Aug Deadline to nominate a Waikato or BoP science teacher for a Kudos award
1 Sep NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/
1-30 Sep Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz
2 Sep-8Oct Tūhura Tuarangi interactive space showcase at Te Manawa Museum, Palmerston North
4 Sep Hochstetter lecture on the Kaikoura Earthquake, New Plymouth. Details here
5 Sep Hochstetter lecture on the Kaikoura Earthquake, Hamilton. Details here
5 Sep Deadline to apply for the PM’s Science Teacher Prize. Info here
7 Sep Deadline to Register for NZ International Chemistry Olympiad
8 Sep International Literacy day https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all
11-18 Sep Māori Language week www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz
11 Sep Hochstetter lecture on the Kaikoura Earthquake, Nelson. Details here
Moon FM Aug 31      3Q Sep 7      NM Sep 15      1Q Sep 23
  1. With Mental Health Awareness Week about a month away, free resources and packs are now available for order and download.
  2. L3 & Schol Bio practice exams are available for BEANZ members https://beanz.org.nz/members/
  3. Twinkl is unlocking their website from midnight Mon 28 Aug – 3 am Wed 30 Aug. For NZ users only. Ensure you download what you want. Contact the Twinkl Cares Team if you have any questions or need help.
  4. Auckland Climate Festival 31 Aug – 29 Sep celebrates climate action. https://bit.ly/45i7mEo
  5. Chch event for those interested in aquaculture Thurs 31 Aug, 5:30 pm.
  6. Public lecture Black Holes turn 60 Thurs 31 Aug, 7-8pm, Lecture Theatre E8, Canterbury Uni, free. By Prof Kerr, a true pioneer in the subject. Info here.
  7. Fri 1 Sep, Canterbury Maths Association are holding a Primary statistics day where Dr Pip Arnold explores progressions. https://www.facebook.com/events/134369439718997?ref=newsfeed
  8. Alison Campbell will present a Scholarship Biology Preparation Day at Sancta Maria College, 319 Te Irirangi Drive, Botany South, Auckland on Sat 16 Sep, 10am – 2pm approx. Free. Please register here by 8 Sep. Any questions, email HoD Shane at s.williamson@sanctamaria.school.nz
  9. Physics day at Ak Uni will be 24 Nov this year in LT401 in the Engineering Bldg, 20 Symonds St. Register here. Reduced costs for trainees and those coming from out of Auckland.
  10. With UoA’s Faculty of Ed shifting to the city campus, Kohia Teachers centre is having a closing down sale. Further reductions are available on already heavily discounted books and teacher resources, so be in quick as stocks are limited. Shop online at cutt.ly/kohiasale

Info

  1. Mātauranga Māori
  2.  Pedagogy:
  3. Professional reading/watching/listening:
    • STEM everyday podcast aims to help teachers infuse STEM into their everyday lessons.
  4. Digital support:
  5. An article from Predator Free NZ on alternatives to peanut butter for trap baits. https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/things-you-should-know/5-tasty-lures-that-arent-peanut-butter/
  6. Student opportunity:
    • MoE has partnered with Education Perfect to bring schools kura a free beginners’ Samoan language Gagana Samoa course, comprising 30 immersive lessons. Register here. Info here.

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4.  Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
  7.  Science:
  8. Education for Sustainability (EfS)

MoE/NZQA

  1. To give enough time to address concerns raised about the Science, the refreshed curricula for Sci, Arts & Tech will be released for feedback in Term 4 & will remain open into Term 1 next year.
  2. Special Assessment Conditions for L1 2024 https://ncea.education.govt.nz/special-assessment-conditions
  3. On 21 Aug, Jan Tinetti announced compulsory teaching requirements for Maths, reading and writing. Press release. Common Practice Model.
  4. The sector forum 29 Aug 4-5pm is on infrastructure including managing mould and testing water. Register here. https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/infrastructure-sector-forum-tickets-695696104777
  5. TIMSS 2023 is an international maths and science study involving yr 5 and yr 9 students. If invited please consider taking part. Schools are selected to ensure a diverse representative sample. If you refuse the invite another cannot take your place. If complete this will give us 30 years of data, if incomplete 2023 NZ data will not be included. Confirm to info.TIMSS@education.govt.nz .

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Hive Mind, free PLD from Science in a van with the Science Learning Hub, is next happening on Thurs 31 Aug, 4 – 4:45pm Join online hear and share what teachers from all around Aotearoa are up to and share planning tips and tricks, with a focus on Light and colour 
  2. Education Hub Webinars about a new research report exploring Aotearoa New Zealand teachers’ experiences of and perspectives on curriculum design and delivery at their school and their use of instructional materials.  Sep 5, 7:30pm. Register here & receive a copy of the report the day before.

Vacancies

  1. The Hermitage Hotel at Mt Cook is looking for a Stargazing Guide. https://www.seek.co.nz/job/68945097?type=standard#sol=b926ec810fb1d8f792778c18f8349eb8ba8d5071
  2. The International Science Council, the Australian Academy of Science & Royal Society Te Apārangi are looking for a person to fill the role of Oceania Programme Manager. Needs to be passionate about raising the voice of Pacific Island Nations within global science & good at planning/organisation. A 2-year contract that may be extended. Apply by 10am NZST 11 Sep.
  3. MoE’s Botany office is looking for a senior education advisor pacific https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3699681506/
  4. Maritime NZ is looking for a guidance and education advisor https://careers.maritimenz.govt.nz/jobdetails/ajid/Jtrh7/Advisor-Education-and-Guidance,4849.html

Cheers, Mike

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