For those who need some quick-fire out-of-sequence science lessons to get through til the weekend

General

• Online course teaching students how to search with Google (it is free but will try to direct you to paid options) https://www.edx.org/course/power-searching-with-google
• Home Learning TV can be accessed on demand here or via the TVNZ App on a device (mobile phone, smart tv or tablet)
• Explore the Learnz field trip Map my waahi https://www.learnz.org.nz/mapping183, then use google earth to map and share your story – your mountain, river, ocean …

Biology

• Challenge students to make a bird feeder to hang (in a tree, off a balcony) outside.
  • Try to identify the birds that feed there – iNaturalist may help https://inaturalist.nz/ or the ID charts here https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/birds/garden-bird-surveys/activities-for-schools
  • Try to photograph some, experimenting with angles and light.
  • Investigate to find out what food attracts what birds. Research possibilities online & try them out.
  • Investigate food to specifically attract native birds https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/feeding-native-birds-garden
  • Collect data – what birds arrive when, what food is most popular for which bird – decide how best to present it
  • Share findings digitally
• NZ Seed dispersal – video and activity: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NZ-Seed-Dispersal.docx

Chemistry

• Short video and reading on graphene from Chem Matters.
• Explore raising agents in the kitchen – find out what they are and how they work. Find a simple recipe using each one (and make it!)
• Blendspace activities around water and its properties https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/GO17gymd0Xjn9w/properties-of-water-types-of-solutions

Earth & Space Science

• Use resources from LEARNZ online field trips https://www.learnz.org.nz/index.php. You will find multiple videos, readings (with narration), activities, quizzes and career info
  • E.g. Climate change https://www.learnz.org.nz/climatechange201
  • E.g. The apline fault https://www.learnz.org.nz/naturalhazards203
  • E.g. Taupo supervolcano https://www.learnz.org.nz/naturalhazards193
• A NoS activity, exploring images of the solar system: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Space-interpreting-representations.docx

Physics

• MacGyver physics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmEi-rWPnAc
• Use resources from LEARNZ online field trips https://www.learnz.org.nz/index.php. You will find multiple videos, readings (with narration), activities, quizzes and career info
  • E.g. Using satellite technology to navigate https://www.learnz.org.nz/location182
• Find out about simple machines https://www.pbs.org/video/science-trek-simple-machines/ then go on a scavenger hunt around home https://www.teachengineering.org/content/cub_/lessons/cub_simple/cub_simple_lesson01_scavhuntworksheet_v1_sas.pdf
• Phet simulations, e.g. on Hooke’s Law https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/hookes-law
• Watch a video about Archimedes and the gold crown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw66gzBD9fE Students use the same method to work out the volume of an odd-shaped object. If they have scales and can measure mass, then they can also calculate density.

Primary & Intermediate

• School Kit at Home – a series of many mini lessons for years 5-8. Even if you have dipped into this before you won’t have used them all : https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/School-Kit-at-Home-online-learning-ideas.docx
• Riley Hathaway is learning more about the importance of Te Ao Māori and kaitiakitanga in understanding and conserving Aotearoa’s seas and shores. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/young-ocean-explorers-rangatahi
• Ask students to watch and they try experiments from Nanogirls Kitchen Science https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/kitchen-science
• Free animated story books https://www.vooks.com/pages/educators