Mikes News Aug 18

17-23 Aug	Tongan Language week, Lea Faka-Tonga www.mpia.govt.nz
21 Aug	ASTA Dinner 6-9pm, venue Akarana Golf Club. Register here
28 Aug	9-11, Takapuna Grammar School, Alchemists Competition. Register here.
29 Aug	4pm deadline for y12 students to apply for Rotary Science & Technology Forum
29 Aug	International Day Against Nuclear tests www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/
29 Aug	Daffodil Day www.daffodilday.org.nz/
30 Aug 1871	Ernest Rutherford was born http://www.rutherford.org.nz/ (& Stephen Hawking died)
31Aug-6Sep	Chinese language week https://www.nzclw.com/ & https://www.nzclw.com/resources
1 Sep	NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/
1-7 Sep	Conservation week www.doc.govt.nz
1-30 Sep	Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz
Moon	NM Aug 23        1Q Aug 31        FM Sep 8        3Q Sep 14

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • A video & reading from Moana Jackson – Decolonisation & the stories in the land https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/moana-jackson-decolonisation-and-the-stories-in-the-land
2. Pedagogy:
   • Different strategies for questioning students – article and summary table.
3. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • A small research project focussing on methods of preparing students for assessments. https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/a-single-10-minute-retrieval-practice
4. Student opportunities:
   • Ak Uni Open Day, Sat 30 Aug at City & Grafton campuses. A great opportunity to meet staff, see science demonstrations and gather application and enrolment advice. Register to attend:
   • SheENG Waikato is a 3-day, 2-night residential programme in Jan 2026 for young women exploring engineering, a taste of engineering life & tertiary engineering study. Apply by 19 Sep.
   • Students wanting to go to the International Olympiad of Astronomy & Astrophysics 2026 can train with expert astronomers & educators. Register interest with secretary@rasnz.org.nz
   • Students can now apply to be BLAKE ambassadors and contribute to important science and conservation projects. Info here. Apply by 22 Aug.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • NCSE Story Shorts on evolution
     • The Human Story: students explore what different types of scientific evidence tell us about human evolution. 
     • Pathogens and Vaccines: students make sense of why we need a new flu vaccine each year while just two doses of the measles vaccine provide lifelong protection.
   • ABC video on de-extinction https://www.abc.net.au/btn/high/is-de-extinction-ethical/105547492
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • An article for L3 & Schol students on how Denmark used their primary sector as a launchpad to create billion-dollar biotech companies, global food innovation, and world-leading wind energy.
   • Crop78’ is a brand-new potato variety that is creating sustainable potato chips due to its high quality, high yields, strong disease resistance, and smart use of water & nutrients. Listen here.
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Lisa Janek’s astronomy unit Tātai Arorangi, https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nwhzdODMYvCwogL-0iErSEc0FVdZjNJrDKsRO2UalHA/edit
   • An article, lecture and interactive map on global ocean circulation https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/glaciers-and-climate/ocean-circulation/
4.  Chemistry:
   • A free interactive Gizmo on using a triple beam balance https://gizmos.explorelearning.com/find-gizmos/launch-gizmo?resourceId=385
   • Online resources for spectra
5. Physics:
   • Investigating the effect of ball shape on trajectory https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/uoh-2894-paper-football-physics-activity
   • Video about a new way to see energy from Michael Harvey – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mO6GV7qbdg
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Sea week free webinar series on ocean-related topics https://www.nzaee.org.nz/professional-learning/nga-korero-seaweek-webinar-series
   • An experiment to filter dirty water https://frugalfun4boys.com/water-filter-science-experiment/
   • Numeracy activities in the context of compost and worm farms. https://www.nzaee.org.nz/spotlight/compost-calculations-algebra-measurement-action
7.  Science:
   • Source of animations and quizzes https://www.footprints-science.co.uk/

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Learning in Action 2025 Conference at ASHS 24 Sep. Mark Osborne will speak about project-based learning in real-world contexts. Info here. Register here.
2. You may have heard about Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori and Science Fair in Rotorua last month. If you would like your school to be involved in 2026, some PLD is on offer. 3:30-4:30pm Wed 10 Sep at Mt Maunganui College Staffroom. More info. Register here.
3. NASA and Astrobiology experts are putting on a free teacher event in Chch Fri 26 Sep (week 1 of the hols), 10:00am – 2:00pm at Air Force Museum., More info here. Register here.
4. FASD in Education Global webinar to support teachers and caregivers of students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Free and online 11 Sep, 16 Oct & 30 Oct at 3:30-5 pm
5. National Assoc Ag Educators conference 12-15 Jan in Victoria, Australia. $670. To find out more & register go to https://vaahe.tidyhq.com/

Technicians

1. Peter Ryall, Micro Instruments Glendene, will fix microscopes in Auckland: Ryall@xtra.co.nz  or Ph 021 466 076 076. He can pick up or you can drop off for a discount.
2. Flint stones for lighting bunsens are available from Emax, $50 for 12.
3. Alternatives to PTC paper (which is potentially unsafe) – to some these taste nice, to others horrible, down to genetic variation: coriander, feijoas, grapefruit skin (the pith side)

Cheers, Mike

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