1 Apr	Deadline to apply to participate in a pilot programme on the school’s carbon footprint.
2 Apr	World Autism day www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day
2 Apr	4pm PLD for CB1.2: Toi raranga – linking CB1.2 to the art of flax weaving. Link
2 Apr	7:30pm PLD for CB1.1 & 1.3 Bio: General Q & A. Link
3-4Apr	Ak uni is holding a STEM conference for educators. From $83. Register here
3 Apr	4pm PLD for AHS1.1 Life Processes: writing & marking tasks. Link
3 Apr	7:30pm PLD for PES1.2 Investigations: Developing a teaching program. Link to register
4 Apr	4pm PLD for SCI1.4 Scientific Claims: Assessment. Link
5 Apr	4pm PLD for AHS1.2 Place & Purpose: writing and marking tasks. Link
7 Apr	Tsunami warning siren test at the end of daylight savings, (1st Sun in April)
7 Apr	World Health day www.who.int/ , go to Events calendar
8 Apr	Solar eclipse visible in parts of USA (not here)
8 Apr	Deadline to apply for scholarships to attend the RASNZ May conference in Nelson
8 Apr	NiF PLD, 4-6pm, MoE Office, L1 102 Rosedale Rd, Albany, Auckland. Register here
9 Apr	7:30pm PLD for CB1.1 & 1.3 Bio: General Q & A. Link
10 Apr	Deadline to enter Beamline for Schools. https://beamlineforschools.cern
10 Apr	4pm PLD for AHS1.2 Place & Purpose: writing and marking tasks. Link
11 Apr	4pm PLD for AHS1.1 Life Processes: writing & marking tasks. Link
12 Apr	International Day of Human Space Flight www.un.org/en/events/humanspaceflightday/
12 Apr	Deadline to apply for Auckland zoo’s Tuatara Club
Moon	3Q Apr 2      NM Apr 9      1Q Apr 16      FM Apr 24

Check PLD links https://ncea.education.govt.nz/support-workshops-level-1-subjects-and-wahanga-ako

1. Every April is autism acceptance month, with a focus on inclusion rather than just ‘awareness’. Autism NZ is inviting all schools to participate in a national ‘quiet hour’ on 10 April at 10am – turn down the lights & turn down the noise for our autistic community. Info here
2. The Pacific Language weeks have been announced, poster here. Final events calendar: Dates for 2024 final
3. Ecofest is a program of conservation-based activities and events in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland until 14 April. https://ecofest.org.nz/
4. ConSTANZ Technician’s conference will be at St Peter’s, Cambridge 1-3 Oct (in the hols). Accommodation with breakfast is available onsite at a reasonable rate. https://sites.google.com/view/constanz2024/

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   •  Te Onekura is an online course for learning te reo Māori and has a resource pack for leaders.
2. Mātauranga Māori:
   • Recording of Rangi Matamua talking about mātauranga Māori
3.  Pedagogy:
   • A growth mindset, the belief that your abilities and success can be improved with time and effort, can help with overcoming the stress of exams. Edutopia resources for growth mindset.
4. Student opportunities:
   • In addition to the air force’s School to Skies, the navy offers School to Seas. Looks like a great opportunity. https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/programmes-and-resources/school-to-seas/
   • Waikato’s School of Science’s Experience Science day is on campus Tues 23 Apr for students in yr 12/13. Includes geology https://events.waikato.ac.nz/events/experience-science
5. Teacher Opportunities:
   • FYI – there will be no further funding rounds for the Unlocking Curious Minds Contestable Fund. All existing contracts will run to completion as contracted. Info here.
   • Iceland PD for teachers – a few places left on this July trip to explore Iceland’s volcanic and glacial landforms. Live and learn on a Mid Ocean Ridge. https://geoetc.com/icelandjuly2024/
6. Science Careers:
   • AWIS has a series of women scientists telling the story of their career. This month it’s Prof Rosalind Archer on Tues 9 April, at 12pm. Subscribe to receive the link.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • TED talk on boosting photosynthesis to improve crop yield
   • A good video on GE and CRISPR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhjPd4uNFY
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Apples All Year Round classroom resources provides lesson guides, resource/equipment lists, activities & a poster for 2 lessons on the Australian apple industry. https://buff.ly/3VDZj2P
   • Activity to engineer a hydroponics system to feed a class
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Stargazing this month: Night Sky April
   • Resources for solar eclipses ahead of 8 Apr from NEEF and NASA
   • Hamish Campbell on the Chathams Islands fossil dinosaurs https://youtu.be/XOfkIO1UKck
4. Chemistry:
   • Graph analysis activity about the acidity of drinks & their effect on teeth
   • An article about the esters that differentiate the taste of oranges and mandarins (CW is free to join) https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/why-oranges-taste-like-oranges/4019163.article
5. Physics:
   • Science Learning hub has Physics made simple webinars – force and motion, gravity, waves as well as a PLD session Exploring magnetism
   • Animated GIFs to teach the relationship between magnetism and electricity https://kaiserscience.wordpress.com/physics/electromagnetism/magnetism-and-electricity
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Some lessons on the science of sound and music https://listeningtowaves.com/lesson-plans
   • Free resources from Upd8 (by the UK ASE) on time, sand, orbits, plastic, floating, ladybirds, fruit & veg, recycling.
7.  Science:
   • An interactive game for testing independent and dependent variables (go to the science tab) https://virtualscienceteachers.org/bingo/

MoE/NZQA

1. The 2023 exam resources for the old L1 Science stds are no longer available on NZQA. No Brain Too Small has some – exams for Bio, Phys & Science & marking schedules for Science

Can You help?

1. As these are no longer available from NZQA, has anyone downloaded resources for the 2023 L1 externals (resource booklet, marking schedule, report [I’ve got the exams]) for Bi, Ch, Phys, AgH, Sci that they are willing to share? Please email mikhal@actrix.co.nz with files or links. I will upload & share next week.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science Learning Hub:
   • A recorded webinar on antimicrobial resistance, The Science Of Superbugs with Dr Siouxsie Wiles
   • Science for communities with ESR with Dr Kristin Dyet.  https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3285-science-for-communities-with-esr
2. The science NiFs have another workshop, this time at the MoE office, 16 Bishop Dunn Pl, Flat Bush, Tues 9 Apr, 1 – 5 pm. Remember these have fluid start/finish times – turn up when you can with the issues you are having with any L1 standards (CB, PES, AGH, SCI) to discuss with others. Register here

Cheers, Mike

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MN