11 Mar.	Teacher Council’s Tapasā PLD workshop North Auckland 3:30 – 5:45pm.
11-17 Mar	International Brain Awareness Week  www.neurological.org.nz
13-16 Mar	Ak ASB Polyfest.                         www.asbpolyfest.co.nz
13 Mar	Walk to work day.                        www.livingstreets.org.nz
14 Mar	World Kidney Day.                       www.kidneys.co.nz
15 Mar	Deadline to book for Ak Astro Soc Dark Sky Weekend. gavinlgn@gmail.com
19 Mar	Teacher Council’s Tapasā PLD workshop Central Auckland 6:30 – 8:45pm.
20 Mar	Deadline to apply for the term 3 intake of the Science Teaching Leadership Program
21 Mar	Autumnal Equinox NZ             http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set
21 Mar	World Forestry Day                      www.fitec.org.nz
21 Mar	World Down Syndrome Day         http://www.un.org/en/events/downsyndromeday/
22 Mar	World Water Day                          www.emap.rsnz.org  http://www.worldwaterday.org/
22 Mar	Teacher Council’s Tapasā PLD workshop South Auckland 3:30 – 5:45pm.
23 Mar	World Meteorological Day.           www.metservice.co.nz   à Learning Centre
24 Mar	World Tuberculosis day                www.stoptb.org
25 Mar	BEANZ workshop 9am-1pm, Karamu HS, ethical thinking sgunn@karamu.school.nz
Moon	1Q Mar 14          FM Mar 21         3Q Mar 28          NM Apr 5

Info

1. Pedagogy:
   • Some posters about differentiation.
   • Resources for teaching maramataka (Māori moon calendar) https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/learn/for-educators/teaching-resources/maramataka-maori-calendar-learning-resource
   • Last week’s leadership poster was a poor link. Try this https://www.impact.wales/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/What_great_leaders_Say-updated.pdf
2. Need some $$$ for STEM equipment? Want some solar panels for your school? Apply to Genesis School-Gen Trust by April 12. https://www.genesisschoolgentrust.org.nz
3. Royal Society talk – Prof Rangi Matamua shares his detailed knowledge about Matariki and highlights connections between cultural knowledge and science at several cities in both NZ & Australia. Starting 11 April  https://royalsociety.org.nz/events/.
4. Whitebait connection is a citizen science LEOTC provider who come in to your school and support you in teaching and learning about whitebait & water quality, and then out in the field, sampling a local stream. Many schools & kura are finding their program useful. They are holding a Mountains to Sea National Wananga in Kaitaia 26-28 April (hols!). https://www.whitebaitconnection.co.nz/service/marine-and-freshwater-wananga.html

Resources

1. Geology:
   • Earth Learning Idea activity using rocks to make musical instruments https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/308_Rocks_music.pdf
2. Biology:
   • The mighty Mitochondrion and respiration https://www.compoundchem.com/2018/11/27/respiration/
   • TED talk on Homo naledi.
3. eLearning:
   • The ARBs are developing interactive resources that students can complete online. This is a list of all they have so far. https://arbs.nzcer.org.nz/lookup//type/online-interactive-1354?mc_cid=bc5385cf52&mc_eid=8f61c7dba4
4. Chemistry:
   • A Quiz from New Scientist – how well do you know the periodic table https://www.newscientist.com/article/2194890-elements-quiz-how-well-do-you-know-the-periodic-table/
   • A periodic table scavenger hunt attached.
5. Physics:
   • An interactive student activity investigating motion and mass and gravitational potential energy http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/forcesinaction.html
   • An article in New Scientist 10 Nov 2018 described strategies to combat the lack of women in physics. Non-subscribers can access such articles from their local library.
6. Science:
   1. Free TES activity making a model of El Nino & La Nina
7. NoS
   • Readings from NZCER
     • The ARBS & the science capabilities at L1 & 2
     • Nature of Science & the Science Capabilities

Can You Help?

“Samoa College Old Pupils Association here in NZ have a ‘Resource-Drive project” running this month, fundraising for resources like text books and science equipment our school could not afford due to very limited funding. So this is a small plea for science colleagues in Auckland if you have sci/bio/chem/phys textbooks (junior & senior level) or science equipment YOU NO LONGER NEED that you want to get rid of, I will happily take them away for you:) please email me.  Many many thanks in advance for your support of this great cause & science learning in the islands. Fa’afetai lava.” Pauai Faamanatu-Afele‎ mailto:ae@manurewa.school.nz

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Teacher’s Refresher Course Committee offers courses for teachers, by teachers. TRCC are running a one-day course in primary science education for primary & secondary teachers working together in a Community of Learning. Jul – Oct in Greymouth, Alexandra, Hamilton & Wellington. https://trcc.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TRCC-PSCI-flyer-FINAL.pdf
2. Physikos is the major PD opportunity for NZ physics educators & it will be part of the NZIP conference at Canterbury uni, at the brand-new Ernest Rutherford building, 15-17 April. http://Confer.nz/nzip2019 & nzip2019@confer.co.nz
3. Western Springs College / Ngā Puna o Waiōrea in Ak will host Mark Standley, a physics moderator on Mon April 8. $120 per person. The workshop will cover investigations P2.1 & P3.1 as well as P2.5 (atomic & nuclear Physics). Please email Kathryn Jenkin jenkink@wsc.school.nz
4. The information for the workshops on years 1-10 science for Dunedin & Invercargill is now available. https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Workshop-flyer-Invercargill-04-April-2019.pdf https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Workshop-flyer-Dunedin-05-April-2019.pdf

Cheers, Mike