14 Mar	Pi Day https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/nasapidaychallenge
15-21 Mar	Brain Awareness Week www.neurological.org.nz
19Mar-17 Apr	EcoFest West (Ak) celebrates caring for our env. www.ecofest.org.nz
19-20 Mar	Pasifika Festival (Auckland)
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 Info here.
22 Mar	World Water Day www.emap.rsnz.org http://www.worldwaterday.org/
23 Mar	World Meteorological Day www.metservice.co.nz 🡪 Learning Centre
23 Mar	World Maths Day https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/
23-26 Mar	Ak ASB Polyfest, online www.asbpolyfest.co.nz
24 Mar	World Tuberculosis day www.stoptb.org
27 Mar	Earth hour 8:30 – 9:30 pm www.wwf.org.nz www.earthhour.org.nz
Moon	FM Mar 18     3Q Mar 25     NM Apr     1Q Apr 9

1. NASA on Pi Day https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/events/2022/2/2/celebrate-pi-day-with-nasa
2. MOTAT (Auckland) is having a LIVE day on Gardening 20 March. Includes using traditional Māori agricultural tools reimagined with today’s technologies, making seed bombs and bird seed feeders. https://www.motat.nz/events/live-day-gardening
3. Cafe Scientifique on Veganism, Organics & Climate change Mon 21 March 7-9pm, Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club 90 Keith Allen Dr. Register here.
4. Primary science week,16-20 May (week 3 of term 2), has the theme That’s so Cool – Antarctic Science. NZAPSE is developing activities and resources with NIWA scientists & Antarctica NZ and the Science Learning Hub will run a seminar. Keep an eye out.
5. ConSTANZ, technicians’ conference is 11 – 13 Oct: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ConSTANZ22-Info.pdf
6. Attached is a calendar of events of interest to science teachers: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dates-for-2022.doc

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • Download these posters for display in your classroom and around your school: https://bit.ly/3rX4ZFV
   • Watch the videos that illustrates specific examples of STEAM within traditional Pacific island culture and practices: https://bit.ly/3sNam9N
2. Mātauranga Māori
   • A provocative article on the misrepresentation of Māori concepts https://nzareblog.wordpress.com/2021/10/13/zombification/
   • Ako Panuku’s group for those interested in promoting science through a Māori world view – te Kahui kaiako Pūtaiao https://www.akopanuku.tki.org.nz/te-kahui-kaiako-putaiao
3. Digital support:
   • The next LEARNZ virtual field trip explores Climate Change. Videos, background material & online quizzes available from 28 Mar. Enroll in this trip to receive supporting communication and resources and connect with field trip experts live 6 & 7 Apr.
4. Teacher Opportunities:
   • The Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy offers 4 days of PLD for primary & intermediate teachers in the holidays – Hamilton in July, Christchurch in October. Apply now. https://www.scienceacademy.co.nz/content/scienceAcademies.php

Resources

1. Biology:
   • An article about Lamarckian misconceptions
   • In this excerpt from The Green Planet, David Attenborough gives a short lesson on seeds https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/videos/1352851615128880
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • A company that redesigns traditional Māori gardening tools https://www.paku.nz/
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Some Mars activities https://explorify.uk/exomars
   • Liacos video Land and Ocean looks at the effects of land masses & oceans on global climate patterns.
   • Activity to model fold mountains forming
4.  Chemistry:
   • How do plant milks compare to cow’s milk? https://www.compoundchem.com/2022/01/11/plant-milk/
   • A virtual chemistry activity about the mole https://www.chemedx.org/activity/mole-free-virtual-chemistry-lab-activity
5. Physics:
   • Video and article about using radar, laser, electromagnetic induction to measure thickness of Antarctic ice from the air
   • Astronomy Jargon 101: Gravitational Lens
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • The Wonder Project Rocket Challenge run in term 2, focuses on L3 physical world. Sign up before 25 March   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMUwwqP57Zc
7.  EfS:
   • NIWA’s annotated visual annual climate summary for 2021 and livestreamed.
   • At the end of this Earth Learning Idea activity there is a list of all the ELI Net Zero activities. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/381_Net_zero_Tree_planting.pdf
8.  STEM:
   • Pacific peoples and STEAM – posters and videos
   • Nanogirl’s STEMSTARS is a program of narrative-led, practical STEM teaching resources for years 1-6. Print books and instructional videos guide teachers through 8 topics, with a focus on physical sciences. $995 + GST

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Regionally allocated PLD can help you implement the NCEA changes. E.g. 2 facilitators, 1 specializing in NCEA science and 1 in mātauranga Māori might work together to plan and facilitate your PLD. Apply here under the ‘Local curriculum design’ priority. [MoE newsletter]
2. World Education Summit 21-24 March. £360+ https://www.worldedsummit.com/tickets/
3. Conservation Education and Wellbeing Teacher PD day at Sanctuary Mountain, Fri 1 Apr, 10am-2pm. Free to teachers from Hamilton Schools. Register here
4. Schools and kura can access up to 25 hours of PLD support to develop understanding, processes and resources to ensure learning continues on and offsite. Request support from your regional office’s PLD team. Read more here.

Vacancies

1. Twinkl is looking for a contract content editor ($23/h). More info here. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2920888887
2. STEM Wana organises STEM events for Bay of Plenty. They are looking for a Community Liaison/Coordinator for 30h/week at $25/h. Apply by 20 March
3. Lincoln University is looking for someone to create teaching materials around microbes and horticulture. Up to 20 hours per week at $30/hour. Apply by 28 March. Info here.

Cheers, Mike

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