16 Jul	Deadline to apply for MWC teacher scholarship to QRW microbiology conference.
16 Jul	3:30 pm Consent to Assess workshop for Ag/Hort. Register here.
18 Jul	Deadline to enter Wellington students for STEMM student challenge
18 Jul	Deadline for students to apply for Otiwhiti Ag Cadet School
20 Jul	MOTAT’s LIVE Day (10am-4pm), interactive, a hands-on day focused on energy.
21 Jul 1969	1st moon walk https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-11/#.UtmgLOuBr-k
23 Jul	9-3 Great Lakes Centre Taupō Energy Career Pathways field trip, for Yr 11-13 students
25 Jul	2am Science is Cool online conference starts. Sign up here to access recording
27Jul-2 Aug	Vanuatu Bislama Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
30 Jul	NZGA Winter Seminar in NZ Geothermal Week
Moon	3Q Jul 18      NM Jul 25      1Q Aug 2      FM Aug 9

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • Cafe Scientifique 21 Nov: Robyn Deniz talks about current issues facing Antarctica. Tauranga Yacht Club, Sulphur Pt. Doors open at 6:30 for a 7pm start, $10. julia.banks60@gmail.com
2. NZASE Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tues 15 Jul 6pm online. Members who wish to attend can email Donna Sellers at NZASE@xtra.co.nz to get the link and agenda.

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • An article about UoA research into low carbon concrete that blends Roman engineering with mātauranga Māori
2. Student opportunities:
   • The deadline for applications for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Space Prizes has been extended to4 September.  https://pmspaceprizes.org.nz/about-the-prizes/student-prize-2/
   • Massey Uni’s Whenua Haumanu regenerative agricultural research project can host students for a day to explore how dairy grazing on different pasture systems effects nitrate leaching.
   • SIT offers Telford Taster camps for students to explore the primary sector – plenty of hands on experience in a range of agricultural skills. In the hols, 23-27 Sep, 2-6 Dec.
3. Teacher Opportunities:
   • Agriculture PLD tour to California 12-18 April 2026, $7,500 AUD.
   • SIT offers a Telford taster camp for Teachers to explore the primary sector & see what is on offer for the students 21-23 Sep. Funding may be available for flights. Contact Billie-Marie.Henry@sit.ac.nz .
4. HoD:
   • A reflection tool https://sketchplanations.com/rose-thorn-bud
5. Digital tools:
   • LEARNZ virtual field trip to Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain ecosanctuary launches Mon 4 Aug. https://www.learnz.org.nz/Sanctuary253

Resources

1. Biology:
   • An article about de-extinction (also useful for S1.4?): DeExtinction MS
   • Observing root tip meiosis https://biology-teacher.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rp2-cpac-sheet-and-method.docx
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Sassy is a new breed of apple https://www.sassyapples.co.nz/
   • An article about Growing kumara to go with the Jul 13 Country Calendar program
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • The large Vera Rubin telescope in Chile has just come online. It will image the southern sky every few nights & compile a motion picture of everything that changes. Unlocked NYT article.
   • An ELI activity on the age of the earth https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/404_Arms_length.pdf
4.  Chemistry:
   • Teach Engineering lesson building & launching film canister rockets powered by a chemical reaction. Students test variables (fins, fuel amount) using data to improve performance.
   • How to teach collision theory & rates of reaction https://edu.rsc.org/cpd/how-to-teach-collision-theory-and-what-affects-rates-of-reaction-at-14-16/4021531.article (limit of 2 applies to classroom resources only)
5. Physics:
   • Activities to illustrate, sources detectors & shadows of sound from Institute of Physics; practical applications of sound & hearing from Science Learning Hub; and an Ear cross section
6. A science book you or your students might like to read
   • Koro’s Medicine, by Melanie Drewery. Bilingual. Read aloud. About a grandson learning the uses of rongoā. Looks at rongoā, identifying plants, leaf collection, tikanga, plant kupu.

Can you help?

BEANZ, HATA, NZASE, NZIP & SCENZ are asking teachers for key points for the MoE’s curriculum team to consider.  Please give your thoughts in this survey. Forward to colleagues, as target is to get feedback from teachers of any science course in any NZ high school. Deadline 28 July.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science Learning Hub:
   • A recording of the PLD from Georgina Tuari Stewart and Sally Birdsall on the inclusion of mātauranga in science teaching is now available. https://bit.ly/4nrzD4X
2. As part of Geothermal week, Greening Taupo is offering teachers free PLD on geothermal ecosystems at Craters of the Moon, Taupo 31 Jul.  Geothermal Ecosystems PLD

Cheers, Mike

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