Author: Mike Stone

Mike’s News Mar 27

Posted on by Mike Stone
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
2 Apr World Autism day www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day
2 Apr Tsunami warning siren test at the end of daylight savings
5 Apr Science is Cool Conference, 9am PT. Register here
7 Apr World Health Day www.who.int/ 🡪 Events calendar
11-14 Apr HATA conference at Napier Boys HS. Info here.
12 Apr International Day of Human Space Flight www.un.org/en/events/humanspaceflightday/
Moon 1Q 29 Mar      FM Apr 6      3Q Apr 13      NM Apr 20

Info

  1. The latest NZASE newsletter has articles on Regenerating Papatūānuku and Citizen Science for anyone and Digital Tools in Science and Upwelling for members only as well as a profile of marine scientist Kura Paul-Burke. Sign up for the newsletter or find resources here https://nzase.org.nz/. Join NZASE here https://nzase.org.nz/membership/ .
  2. Teacher opportunities:
    • The Auckland Science Teacher Association offers 4 grants of $250 for members to attend SciCon (you need to sign up to ASTA by Easter). Go in the draw. ASTA Conference Grants
    • BLAKE offers a free week of hands-on environmental learning for up to 90 NZ teachers of years 1-8 (some money is available for travel to Ak). Apply by 1 May. On Jul 3-7, Sep 25-29 or Oct 2-6. Learn practical ways to encourage conservation, sustainability & environmental action.
    • Sci Starter has a number of citizen science webinars during April. (8pm ET = 1pm the day after in NZ) https://blog.scistarter.org/2020/05/citizen-science-month-education-webinar-series/
  3. Safe search engines for kids https://www.iste.org/explore/iste-standards/5-safe-search-engines-kids#:~:text=Safe%20Search%20Kids%3A%20This%20is,Google%20for%20Grades%20K%2D8.

Resources

  1. Biology:
    • A gynaecologist debunks misconceptions about hormonal contraceptives https://fb.watch/jbRhqcp7rq/
    • Webinar from vertebrate paleontologist about how evidence for the dietary behaviour of mammals that have become extinct can help us better understand climate change.
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4.  Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
    • Story with science theme: Tales of the Prehistoric World: Adventures from the Land of the Dinosaurs by Kallie Moore
    • Suzy Cato’s science programs https://suzy.co.nz/suzys-world/
  7.  STEM:
  8.  Sustainability
    • PhET’s new simulation is called Greenhouse Effect HTML5, Adjust the greenhouse gas concentration and observe the effects on IR radiation and surface temp. Explore the atmosphere over time, or its energy flux or build a model atmosphere with IR absorbing layers.

Can you help?

  1. Living by the Stars have submitted a proposal for funding to develop an app where people can identify stars and constellations in the night sky, see their Māori names and hear their stories. If you think you would benefit your comments could help their application. Please comment here.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Learning Network NZ, 214 Universal Dr, Henderson, Ak.
  2. Kohia Teacher’s Centre, Gate 2, 76 Epsom Ave, Epsom.
  3. A recording of Science Learning Hub’s webinar with Dr Rosemary Hipkins on the Enduring Competencies can be found here.
  4. Astrobiology field trip to Rotorua for teachers, 17-19 Apr. $795, but free for those doing PLD with field-based STEM. Need own transport and accommodation. More info here.

Cheers, Mike

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