Mikes News Aug 11

13 Aug	National entrance exam for NZIBO. https://nzibo.org/
14 Aug	4pm SLH PLD on participatory science & monitoring our waterways/ oceans. Info here.
17 Aug	MOTAT’s LIVE Day (10am-4pm) with a hands-on focus on flying
17 Aug	Midnight deadline to apply for Girls on Ice https://www.inspiringgirls.org/goi-aotearoa-nz
17 Aug	Deadline to apply for MacDiarmid’s Nano Camp or Discovery Camp
17-23 Aug	Tongan Language week, Lea Faka-Tonga www.mpia.govt.nz
21 Aug	ASTA Dinner 6:30-9pm at Akarana Golf Club. Register here
Moon	3Q Aug 16      NM Aug 23      1Q Aug 31     FM Sep 8

1. Tongan Language Week: Common phrases Tongan
2. 100 years ago, a science teacher, John Scopes, was arrested & tried for teaching human evolution in an American classroom. To clarify the significance, NCSE is putting on 3 free webinars:
   • Wed 13 Aug 7pm ET (Th 14 Aug 11 am NZT). The Trial of the Century. Register
   • Wed 20 Aug 7pm ET (Th 21 Aug 11 am NZT). The religious opponents. Register
   • Wed 27 Aug 7pm ET (Th 28 Aug 11 am NZT). The continuing culture war. Register
3. Nature Connection is PLD on practical, nature-based learning that’s easy to take back to your kura. Th 14 Aug, Rotorua Lakes High School, 1:30-4:30pm. To register email thea@nzaee.org.nz

Info

1. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Instead of just passively watching examples, asking “what comes next?” can significantly boost learning. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959475225001203
   • Commentary from Dr Peter Allerton on curriculum development https://peterellerton.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-dumb-down-a-curriculum

Resources

1. Biology:
   • An article about biocontrol in NZ https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/pest-control/biocontrol
   • Poster on cat coat colour https://doggiedrawings.net/blogs/whats-new/kitty-coats
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Don’t forget the HATA website when looking for numeracy resources
   • Also on the website is a directory of fruit and vegetable associations. Useful for resources, answering questions and planning field trips.
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • An exoplanet game https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/exoplanet/
   • Julian Thomson & Bruce Hayward at the Kaimanawa wall discuss its origins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36oq_K1nTW8 .
   • Article about why methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/what-makes-methane-more-potent-greenhouse-gas-carbon-dioxide
4.  Chemistry:
   • A free Gizmo interactive on the carbon cycle https://gizmos.explorelearning.com/find-gizmos/launch-gizmo?resourceId=1061
   • A video from Bozeman science on water as a polar molecule https://www.bozemanscience.com/water-a-polar-molecule.
5. Physics:
   • A poster from Carolina Science Supply: Simple machines poster
   • Michael Harvey’s video on energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mO6GV7qbdg
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • A video about spring activities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FYhr0jGVFI
   • ABC Reources on body systems https://www.abc.net.au/education/digibooks/body-systems/103819400
7.  Science:
   • STEM Online is now open for high school student self-registration, giving free access to Physics & Chemistry (& Maths) resources https://www.stemonline.auckland.ac.nz/
   • Vicki at BayScience has posted info on a local scientist, Lizzie Thompson, investigating the effects of the MV Rena disaster and suggested learning activities for the science classroom.
8. A science book you or your students might like to read
   • Whose Beak is This? by Gillian Candler. About identifying NZ birds from only their beaks. Explores  adaptations, types of birds, observations.

MoE/NZQA

1. Consultation on the proposal to change NCEA is open until 15 Sep. Scroll down for things to read first. https://www.education.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-proposal-replace-ncea/details
2. MoE response to a query about using open book assessment for CB1.2. “Assessment policy for internal assessment is set by each school, within the guidelines of the assessment conditions for each standard. The assessment conditions for this standard do not preclude students accessing class notes. If schools allow students to access their class notes, then for authenticity reasons, they need to ensure that none of the specific reactions in the assessment are included in the notes.”
3. The Years 11 to 13 curricula will be available in Term 1, 2026 to invite wider feedback and help build familiarisation and readiness. There will be no formal requirement to use this content until 2028 (for Year 11 content), 2029 (for Year 12 content), and 2030 (for Year 13 content). More info here.
4. MoE Guidance on using generative AI. https://www.education.govt.nz/school/digital-technology/generative-ai
5. MoE offers study awards for teachers or learning support coordinators to study one of Massey Uni’s Post Grad Specialist Teaching Programmes. These distance courses allow people to study while working and to put theory into practice as they go. Applications close 12 Sep. Info here.

Cheers, Mike

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