Mikes News Oct 20

18-23 Oct	Diwali
19-25 Oct	Niue language week, Vagahau Niue www.mpia.govt.nz
20 Oct	7pm Cafe Scientifique: Prof Beasley gives Rutherford lecture,Tauranga Yacht Club
20-21 Oct	3:30 pm CoreEd webinar for mentors of new teachers. Register here.
21 Oct	Peak of Orionids meteor shower http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
21 Oct	3:30-4:45pm, NZASE/Science Alive webinars for primary teachers. Register here
21-22 Oct	STEAM Education Summit Crown Plaza, Auckland. $900. Info here.
22 Oct	3:30-4:45pm, NZASE/Science Alive webinars for primary teachers. Register here
23 Oct	Mole day http://www.moleday.org/
24 Oct	World climate action day https://www.climate-action.info/day/
24 Oct	World polio day http://wpd.typepad.com/worldpolioday/
24-27 Oct	iNaturalist is running the Great Southern BioBlitz
26Oct-1Nov	Tokelau language week, Te Gagana Tokelau www.mpia.govt.nz
30 Oct	NZ teachers’ day
31 Oct	Deadline for students to apply for Peter Laing Ag Trust grant.
3 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Taupō. Register here.
Moon	NM Oct 21        1Q Oct 30        FM Nov 6        3Q Nov 12

1. Prof Brian Cox is back in NZ in 2026 (June 2^nd Chch, 4^th Wgtn, 6^th Ak). Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster. https://briancoxlive.co.uk/emergence-world-tour-asia-pacific/#tour
2. 2025 SCENZ AGM 7.30 – 8.30 pm Thurs 27th Nov. Zoom link tba
3. Tokelau language week: Useful classroom phrases
4. Talks that may be of interest:
   • NZIP Wgtn is hosting Stuart Farmer, a leading Scots physics educator, to share the story of their national curriculum overhaul. 3:30-5pm, 21 Oct, S3 Lab, St Bernard’s, Lower Hutt. RSVP
   • With RAMP’s addition of these processes to 91413 & 91414, it’s fortunate that ESSE had asked James Renwick to speak to teachers on the Southern Annular Mode & El Nino Southern Oscillation at 7-8pm on 12 Nov. Register here to receive the link.

Info

1. Te Ao Māori
   • The book Whenua – Māori Pūrākau of Aotearoa by Isobel Joy Te Aho White organises by region, traditional stories of how different parts of Aotearoa came to be.
2. Professional reading:
   • An article critiquing the evidence for special education inclusion in mainstream classrooms.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • information and activities on the human skeletal system [Sarah Gaze]
   • Membrane Transport is a PhET simulation that explores factors affecting movement of a solute through a cell membrane in passive diffusion to active transport
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Video showing how to grow zucchinis up rather than out https://www.facebook.com/reel/1324791109343390
   • Entries are now open for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year and AgriKids NZ Regional Finals (free for AgriKids and $10 per team for Juniors). Register here
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Moon phases simulation https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/buac19-35-sci-ess-earthsunmoon35model/moon-phases-simulation-viewed-from-earth-and-space
   • Technicians recently shared rock cycle resources: Dichotomous Key, ID images, game 1, game 2 (St Instr, gameboard, poster), Crayon activity, interactive ; plus activities from Sarah Gaze.
4.  Chemistry:
   • Compound Chem infographics on composition of earth’s layers, apple taste, sleep medications, sunshine,
   • An extra for Mole day (23 Oct) – a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLlwvmu1ZeA
   • Corrected link to Alayna Pulham’s L3 Chem revision activity https://drive.google.com/open?id=17yISo3LypkKgNW3hP-FClq1g0UdBO70t&usp=drive_f
5. Physics:
   • Pumpkin power activity for Halloween
   • Talk from Mathew Wright – a very interesting item about Rutherford and the dawn of our understanding about atomic structure. Well worth a.listen. [Michael Winter]
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • The flowers that arrive with spring are a colourful spur to teaching about plant reproduction. Science Learning Hub Spring Collection has images, diagrams & models, including bilingual resources. The PLD article on pollination has helpful advice for teachers.
   • Best Evidence Science Teaching’s free resources (developed by experts at York Uni) include new ones on Separating Mixtures & Changing Materials, found here. (Sign up for free)
7. Middle School:
   • A resource from RSC addressing misconceptions about mass and dissolving (you’ll need to join for free)
   • Tips for finding fossils and an investigation making cast fossils
8.  Science:
   • TED-Ed video explaining how inhalers work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hgEorF0vyY
9. Te reo science resources
   • A Māori language planisphere: https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/tuia-matauranga/resources-and-activities/lets-explore-ideas-and-activities/planisphere-explore-the-night-sky
   • Posters on plants, energy sources, river animals as well as sea life https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=801305046013416&set=pcb.1727145517972687

MoE/NZQA

1. The timeline for curricula releases and implementation https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/teaching_basics_brilliantly_oct25

Can you help?

1. The time has come for me to step down so I am looking for someone to take over this newsletter from 2026. This is an opportunity to do voluntary work for your community. More info here
2. Canterbury Uni is conducting a survey with teachers about mobile phone bans, with the possibility of a $50 voucher for participants.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Vic Uni & BEANZ are running a Hands-on Genetics Lab, 8:30-3 on Wed 26 Nov at Kelburn Campus, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria Uni. More info & register here
2. Term 4 PLD  on offer to date.

Technicians

1. Kmart’s mini hot plates work well for junior science and evaporating for crystals etc. but it’s difficult to maintain a rolling boil on them. [Charlotte Hurst]
2. Microserve (36 Glenveagh Drive, Mt Roskill, Ak) now services high school microscopes. Contact Alan Henry at microserve4u@gmail.com or 0211805671.

Vacancies

1. Waitakere College is looking for a new HoD Bio. https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/1HApjw-head-of-biology-start-term-1-2026

Cheers, Mike

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