29 Aug | Deadline to apply for Rotary National Science and Technology Forum |
29 Aug | International Day Against Nuclear tests www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/ |
30 Aug 1871 | Ernest Rutherford was born http://www.rutherford.org.nz/ |
1 Sep | PLD: Leadership for in-school and Cross-school leaders. Ak. Info here. |
1 Sep | NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/ |
1-30 Sep | Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz |
1-30 Sep | Asthma Awareness Month https://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/ |
4-10 Sep | Tongan Language week www.mpia.govt.nz |
5-11 Sep | Conservation week www.doc.govt.nz |
5 Sep | Tsunami warning siren test at the beginning of daylight savings |
6 Sep | Panel discussion on new S1.4 Sci Communication 5pm https://youtu.be/MXVBm2-pj54 |
8 Sep | International Literacy day https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all |
12-18 Sep | Māori Language week www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz |
Moon | 1Q Sep 4 FM Sep 10 3Q Sep 18 NM Sep 26 |
- Some phrases for Tongan Language week starting 4 Sep: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Common-phrases-Tongan-2p.docx
- The Earth and Space Science Educators NZ AGM will be held via Zoom on Saturday 10 September 2022, 10am-1pm. If you have not received the link admin@earthspacescience.org.nz
- Resources for Māori Language Week 12 Sep
- Ask students to find the meanings of some Māori place names with a science link eg Waitomo https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2690-opportunities-for-using-te-reo-maori
- NZ ShakeOut, our national earthquake and tsunami drill, is on Thurs 27 Oct. Find resources, including workplace preparedness plans, home emergency plans, lesson plans, & teaching resources here https://getready.govt.nz/involved/shakeout/share-the-shakeout/
- A date for your diary – TEDxNelson: Connection will take place 5 Nov at Annesbrook Church.
- UK’s STEM learning is presenting a Protecting our Planet day of activities and experts with a focus on climate change on 10 Nov. http://protectingourplanet.org.uk/
Info
- Mātauranga Māori
- The recorded webinar ‘Ngā Kōrero: The Way Forward‘ is about weaving mātauranga Māori and western science wrt marine conservation. A focus on kaitiakitanga, mauri and taonga by Dan Hikuroa & Kimberley Maxwell.
- Gazette article about local curriculum and mātauranga Māori wrt fishing https://gazette.education.govt.nz/articles/fishing-for-knowledge-connects-akonga-to-their-local-place/
Resources
- Biology:
- Diffusion activities https://learn.concord.org/diffusion
- Alice Roberts’ lecture on the key messages from her book Origins of Us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x858bOny4Gw&t=427s
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- Take softwood cuttings https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/Resources/Sequence-Card/How-to-take-softwood-cuttings
- Make an origami seed packet https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/Resources/Sequence-Card/How-to-make-an-origami-seed-packet
- Earth & Space Science:
- September Night sky : https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/September-Night-sky-1.docx
- A student reading about bone density loss in space https://www.snexplores.org/article/space-bone-loss-density-astronaut-recovery-gravity
- Geology of Lake Pupuke with Bruce Hayward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ3NWK8grCA
- Chemistry:
- Uses of baking soda https://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/baking-soda-uses.htm
- Past NCEA questions collated by topic https://www.chemical-minds.com/bonding.html
- Physics:
- Exploring colour with gelatin https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=14335
- Using mercury to make a telescope https://www.science.org/content/article/liquid-mirror-telescope-opens-india
- Primary & intermediate:
- ESA videos on day/night and the seasons and moon phases and eclipses/ and exoplanets
- Enquiry-based lessons to engage students in growing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about fruits and vegetables. https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/dig-lessons
- EfS:
- Documentary Racing Extinction https://www.waterbear.com/watch/feature/62ba43c6133ee90cb13fd53c
- STEM:
- NASA STEM resources https://www.nasa.gov/stem
- Jackboard is a tool for teaching STEM – it allows hands-on exploration of electronics, science, engineering and robotics. Simple written and video-based learning materials allow students to go at their own pace. https://www.jackbord.works
MoE/NZQA
- MoE has vacancies for 3 Lead Secondary Advisors to each be responsible for several Subject Expert Groups for L1, 2 & 3 subjects. They want experienced middle school leaders who have expertise in secondary teaching & understand NCEA assessment. While specifically looking for Music, Maths & Stats, any subject expertise is welcome. Info here. While primarily Wgtn-based, work from home in other cities may be negotiated for 1 or 2 days most weeks. Applications close 5 Sep.
- MoE has recently established a new Curriculum Centre called Te Poutāhū. They are keeping us up to date on the curriculum refresh. Have a look at their first newsletters for July and Aug
Professional Learning & Development (PLD)
- Over the next few weeks, NZASE is offering PLD clusters for primary and secondary teachers of science across 13 regions. More info here https://nzase.org.nz/nzase-network-expertise/
- MWC is offering Biology PLD around the country in Nov (not in Ak as BioLive is on) – Marton, Hastings, Queenstown, Wgtn, Invercargill, Dunedin. See attachment. Register here https://forms.office.com/r/dMMM8uNjVj
- Webinar: What Works in Schools for Tamariki and Rangatahi Māori with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, Tues 6 Sep 7.45-8.30 pm https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/webinar_what_works_in_schools…
Cheers, Mike
Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of Warp Computers