23 Jun | Deadline to enter Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow comp. Link here |
23 Jun | 7pm Cafe Scientifique Tauranga is on AI. $10. Register with Julia |
26 Jun | 8-4, Engenuity Day for yr12 & 13 girls interested in Engineering. UoA Grafton Rd campus |
28Jun-6Jul | NZ Garden Bird Survey https://gardenbirdsurvey.nz/take-part/ |
28Jun-6Jul | NZ International Science Festival will be held in Ōtepoti Dunedin https://scifest.org.nz |
30 Jun | Asteroid day https://asteroidday.org/ |
30 Jun | Deadline to give the govt. feedback on Predator free 2050 strategy. Access here. |
1-3 Jul | Physikos conference, Ak uni. https://confer.eventsair.com/nzip2025/ |
1-4 Jul | Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy in Auckland https://www.scienceacademy.co.nz/ |
2-5 Jul | SciCon Logan Park HS Dunedin. Start 6pm Wed, finish 12pm Sat https://scicon2025.nz |
6-12 Jul | Kiribati Language week, Te Taetae ni Kiribati www.mpia.govt.nz |
Moon | NM Jun 25 1Q Jul 3 FM Jul 11 3Q Jul 18 |
- Talks that may be relevant for us
- The public lecture during Physikos is a panel discussion on The Quantum Centuries at 7-8pm Tues 1 Jul in Physics Lecture Theatre 1, Science Centre, 303 Symonds St, Ak. The event is free but seats are limited so you need to book as registration opens to the general public soon.
- Philanthropy webinar series (first 25 Jun 1-2pm) on funding the oceans also includes the current state of oceans in Aotearoa, key challenges and possible solutions. Register here.
- Adding to last week’s notice, please be aware that CCSE’s STEMM challenge is being run by House of Science, Hutt Valley and that it is a Wellington region thing.
Info
- Pedagogy:
- A guide for accommodating dyslexia https://www.texthelp.com/lp/personalised-learning
- Digital:
- Knowledge Matters Podcast with Dylan Wiliam & Doug Lemov takes the science of learning into writing to see how the act of putting pen to paper boosts thinking & learning.
- Science in a Van brings a science show to primary schools – their new show is Full Force. They will be travelling SH35 and in Hawkes Bay in term 1 2026 (& in Auckland too). More info & booking form.
Resources
- Biology:
- MAISUKA: The Silent killer is a documentary that looks at the pervasiveness of the Diabetes epidemic among Pasifika people in Aotearoa. https://tpplus.co.nz/category/maisuka/
- Genetactics is a genetics resource to teach/reinforce/review protein synthesis. [Penny Daddy]. Download it here.
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- The Whole story writes comic books to engage students with the rural sector, each with a curriculum-aligned unit plan for years 7-10. Latest on solar energy in agriculture + tchr resource.
- The science behind RubyRed kiwifruit, a story on Rural Delivery
- Earth & Space Science:
- NOIRLab’s Jewels of the Night is an activity to engage students with the HR Diagram. Might be worth grabbing it while it is still there.
- Justin Zani recommends windy.com as a resource to support teaching of L3 Oceans and Atmospheres. https://www.windy.com/?-40.585,174.384,5
- An activity about radioactive dating rocks. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/366_Radioactive_dating.pdf
- Chemistry:
- Useful student activity for CB1.2 Intended for students to identify observations that indicate a chemical reaction. Can also be used to match equations, identify reactants and products, group reaction types. Happy to collaborate [Kim Pickering, St Johns College]
- Resources and activities on minerals: rare earth metals and another on Sn, Ta & W.
- Physics:
- Video asking does electricity really flow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKxep82_9b8
- Ideas for teaching waves: Resource (fixed).
- Primary & intermediate:
- The latest NZAPSE newsletter includes some great ideas for rich maths learning experiences using science & linking to the capabilities [Carol Brieseman]
- School Gen has great (& free) resources on renewable energy – PPTs, posters, student activities and teacher guides from L1 – L6. https://www.schoolgen.co.nz/for-teachers/resources
- Nature of Science:
- BEANZ members can access a set of biology articles to help students identify how science is used to support weak claims & create news. For yr 10-13 students. Sign in, then access here.
- A science book you or your senior students might like to read
- Humankind by Rutger Bregman, subtitled A Hopeful Story, shows that we are geared towards kindness & co-operation which has its roots in our evolution. Preview here.
- Numeracy:
- Some primary & secondary numeracy resources shared at the ASTA PLD recently: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16TshOdZMtgH-fnNQlvbLCDRifohazzV-?usp=drive_link
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- Mātiki Minecraft is a tool for bringing agriculture and horticulture alive. Join a free online workshop for teachers of years 1-6 (also relevant for Sci, Soc St, Tech, Hist). Tues 24 Jun 4-5pm. Register here.
Technicians
- Links to guides for identifying freshwater organisms https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/7609 & https://www.msnucleus.org/watersheds/mission/plankton.pdf and https://rsscience.com/microscopic-organisms-pond-water/ and https://niwa.co.nz/freshwater/freshwater-id-guides.
Vacancies
- King’s School (Remuera, Auckland) is looking for a person to teach science to years 3-8 (could be part time) + maths (makes the role full time). Contact Sandy Jackson (retiring) or principal Dave McEwan.
Cheers, Mike
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