13-17 Apr	HATA conference is in Canterbury. Info here & register here.
14 Apr	9am Yachting NZ’s Introduction zoom on Rūnā. Register here.
14 Apr	6:30pm at Tauranga Yacht Club, Geoff Brunsden speaks on bumble bees. RSVP
16-17 Apr	International Toronto Biology Comp. Online, 75 mins. https://biocomp.utoronto.ca/
17 Apr	World Haemophilia day http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=492
17 Apr	International Bat Appreciation Day. Bats-of-Aotearoa-NZASE-resource
21-28 Apr	International Dark Sky Week https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/dark-sky-week/
22 Apr	Earth day www.earthday.net
25 Apr	World malaria Day http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/malaria/en/index.html
26Apr1986	Chernobyl Link here.
28 Apr	Save the frogs day www.savethefrogs.com/day/ www.nzfrogs.org/
28 Apr	Deadline to have a say on the Te Reo Rangatira and maths curricula. More info here.
Moon	3Q Apr 21        NM 28 Apr        1Q May 5        FM May 13

Info

1. Pedagogy:
   • Everway has a guide and video with some ideas on how to help students with dyslexia (free to sign up) https://www.texthelp.com/lp/supporting-dyslexia/
   • Edutopia video showing how to optimize working memory in the classroom https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=28954066160906319
2. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • The 31 March issue of the Education Gazette has articles on The AnyQuestions library service and Pacific Language weeks that may be of interest to science teachers
3. Teacher Opportunities:
   • Fonterra has joined Agribusiness in schools and will provide a scholarship for a teacher looking to upskill as an agribusiness educator. Contact Kerry Allen k.allen@stpauls.school.nz
4. Health& Safety:
   • A cautionary tale about a uni student and an accident with a Bunsen burner. https://www.the-scientist.com/bunsen-burners-and-bad-hair-days-72742
5. Digital tools:
   • Teach Engineering Lessons:
     • exploring Light reflection and sun safety with Micro:bits
     • using a Touch Sensor with Arduinos to trigger an LED & buzzer.
6. The latest NZASE newsletter has articles on mutations and microscopes as well as one about scientist Dr Svenja Halfter. Sign up for the newsletter or find resources here https://nzase.org.nz/. Join NZASE here https://nzase.org.nz/membership/ .

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Data Classroom activity on water quality of the Suwanee River (DC is free to join) https://about.dataclassroom.com/ready-to-teach/water-quality-suwannee
   • A free Monohybrid Mice activity from Amy Brown Science (you’ll need to join ABS, it’s free)
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Beef & Lamb NZ have an e-Learning lesson on soil health. https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/module/soil-health
   • A 3min Business insider video about kiwifruit – growing, picking, packing & shipping. https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider/videos/1377429986601995
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • An interview with Dr Chris Impey about the definition of life and how we search for it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaa_b2tkiKQ
   • Why hurricanes don’t cross the equator (Coriolis) https://earthlymission.com/hurricanes_dont_cross_equator_coriolis_effect
   • A NZ Geo article about the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/pt2-51-the-ultimate-mass-murder
4. Chemistry:
   • This Concord Consortium simulation on hydrogen bonds explores formation between polar molecules, and the effect of temperature change.
   • A lesson on water purification interwoven with Pacific languages and perspectives. https://www.galacticpolymath.com/lessons/en-NZ/13
5. Physics:
   • Lessons on alternative energy from Science Alive (join for free)
   • ElectroMagnetic Spectrum and Spectroscopy doodle notes (free on TpT but you’ll need to join)
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • This academic paper describes one forensic science lesson in a primary classroom https://www.academia.edu/87293897/Forensic_Science_in_the_Elementary_Classroom
   • For Earth Day Tues 22 Apr, BBC Teach is broadcasting a Live Lesson from the Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project. Focussing on the water cycle, the lesson will be available from 9am on https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach (10pm NZDST), broadcast live at 11 am.
7.  Science:
   • I came across a list of links for forensic science that looked quite useful. Cool Forensic Links
   • You will not be able to sign in to the Science Learning Hub 14-15 Apr, but all the resources will still be available. On 16 April their new site will go live.
8. Te reo science resources
   • The Te Reo Classroom has some posters/games/activities for free https://www.thetereomaoriclassroom.co.nz/freebies/
9. A science book you or your students might like to read
   • The Most Important Animal of All by Penny Worms is all about bees. Can be the basis for research, debates, art, maths, poetry and of course science.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. The team who ran the Genomics Aotearoa PLD last year can offer in-school assistance with delivery of content assessed with CB1.3 – eg electrophoresis, gene alignment, phylogenetic trees. Contact Dr. Wilda Laux at wilda.laux@auckland.ac.nz
2. NZASE PLD for secondary teachers has a focus on numeracy: NZASE Term 2 Workshop poster
3. Save the date ­– 2 more Biology Best Practice Workshops: Ak 9 May & New Plymouth 12 May. If you’re a 1st year teacher &/or in a rural/isolated/area school in the South Island a grant of $800 is available to cover costs if you tell BEANZ how this PLD will support your growth & lead to a change in practice.

Technicians

1. For the sound energy station in an energy circus use a wine glass, whistle, clap board or squeaker.

Cheers, Mike

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