Hi Folks,

Welcome back – trust you are feeling relaxed and refreshed. Hope this short week goes well.

1-28 Feb	Bikewise month   https://can.org.nz/article/february-is-bikewise-month
1-29 Feb	Heart Awareness Month   www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women
3 Feb 1931	Napier-Hastings Earthquake.  www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-6
4 Feb	World Cancer Day.  http://www.worldcancerday.org/
7 Feb	National Periodic Table day.  http://www.periodictableday.org/
11 Feb	Safer Internet Day.  https://www.netsafe.org.nz/safer-internet-day/
11 Feb	International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  http://bit.ly/UNESCO2Rp0zpr
12 Feb	International Charles Darwin Day   www.darwinday.org/index.php
Moon	FM 9 Feb     3Q 16 Feb      NM 24 Feb.    1Q 3 Mar

1. MOTAT’s newest immersive exhibition, Machine Makers, showcases the fundamentals of engineering and provides a hands-on approach to uncovering the physics behind each simple machine. The Machine Makers Lab with its construction benches and fun projections allows students to take what has inspired them & get stuck into making their own creations.

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • With the draft achievement standards’ focus on Mātauranga, this issue of The Science Review is very relevant. http://www.maramatanga.co.nz/sites/default/files/NZ%20Science%20Review_%20Matauranga%20Maori.pdf
2. Pedagogy:
   • Quick tips for redirecting off-task behaviour https://juliagthompson.blogspot.com/
3. Student competitions:
   • Opportunities for Year 12 and Year 13 students to attend international Science events: Youth Science Forum (UK, Australia), Space camp (USA, Asia, Europe), Science Camp Germany, FEAST (Science, Ag, Technology) Australia, ANZAAS Australia. Applications close Tues 17 March. https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/…/2018-international-scien…/ 
4. SouthSci provides funding for your STEM project up to $20,000. Send in your expression of interest now, full application due 28 Feb. www.cometauckland.org.nz/southsci

Resources

1. Geology:
   • In this ELI students use measurements to calculate which oceanic ridge is spreading fastest, investigating relationships of distance, time & speed in a novel, geological context. It also allows them to use a linear scale & become familiar with large numbers. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/328_Fastest_spreading_ocean.pdf
2. Biology:
   • In this activity students observe decomposition of an item then investigate a factor that affects how fast decomposing occurs. https://www.calacademy.org/educators/lesson-plans/compost-a-scientific-investigation?mpweb=1018-10076-155362 Jessie McKenzie
3. Chemistry:
   • Reports from Royal Society on health impacts of cannabis. In the general election this year we will be asked to vote on whether to legalise personal use of cannabis. Our students may well ask about this as it will be in the news more. A good SSI? https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/major-issues-and-projects/cannabishealthimpacts/
4. Physics:
   • Engineering NZ run the Wonder Project, a rocket challenge for year 5-8 students (L 4 of NZC). The school is paired with a STEM professional and gets access to the physical kits and online resources. You need to provide soft drink bottles & 2h a week in term 2. https://wonderproject.nz/rocket-challenge-info/?fbclid=IwAR39PVnEbZKi0_BVPXfx4GbBZWd6BHQU8oxexzFWx18U4QTd1aRO-as4ZEc
5. Science:
   • Northland Regional Council has info for schools on water quality, looks very useful. Some info will apply to all regions. Does your regional council have something similar? https://www.nrc.govt.nz/for-schools/school-information-packs/water-quality/ 
   • Some resources on Climate Change from Sarah Gaze. http://gzscienceclassonline.weebly.com/climate-change.html?fbclid=IwAR0-osDWrIktgRXXHV4FIlxcPkAjSRrkNBxQn6dofVly7hVcZrIT10uDEdo
6. Primary
   • House of Science provides resource kits weekly in 11 regions for yr 1-8 schools which sign up. All come with hands-on expts, bilingual student instructions & teacher manual. A great way to get started on the science journey. https://houseofscience.nz/resources/
7. Nature of Science (NoS)
   • NZCER table showing how the science capabilities relate to the 4 aspects of NoS in the NZC. https://www.nzcer.org.nz/how-items-embed-science-capabilities

MoE/NZQA

1. MoE has several resources (a series of guides, a webinar, & a ppt) to help those wanting to develop a local curriculum at http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Strengthening-local-curriculum
2. Centrally funded PLD: If you want some PLD for your dept get in touch with a science facilitator. This is the last term that Science will be a national priority. Ian McHale is back facilitating this year, contact him at ianmchalenz@gmail.com or ph 022 4660334.  Dates & priorities for 2020: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Centrally-Funded-PLD-2020.docx
3. Clusters to discuss the draft achievement standards before submissions close. Does anyone else want me to advertise a cluster to allow folk to discuss their responses?
   • at St Peter’s, Cambridge 11 Feb 2-4pm info:
   • at St Cuths a meeting of Ch/Phy teachers 13 Feb, 7:15-9pm

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science Learning Hub is offering a free online PLD webinar, Flipping science fairs, on Th 20 Feb, 4:00–4:45 pm. The aim is to help teachers make science fairs the rich learning experience they can  be, bringing out the very best of student creativity and curiosity. This session will be valuable for both primary and secondary school teachers
2. Geoscience Webinar Beyond Earthquake Locations: Modern Seismology in the NGSS Classroom is on 13 Feb 4pm EST (10am NZDT Feb 14). Explore Mars-quakes, icequakes, induced seismicity, models of Earth’s deep structure and more. The webinar is free, but registration is required – see  online. You will receive webinar access info a day before the webinar. Organizers will post the webinar recording on the NGSS-ESS webinar page .
3. Subject-specific PLD is hard to access for many – 2020 SciCon provides an opportunity on a term 1 weekend. Without the need for relief, schools may be more likely to provide support. Dates, rates & info here: https://nzase.org.nz/scicon-2020/  Flier for noticeboards: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SciCon-Flier-200120.pdf
4. Making Progress In Science from L1-4: free workshops for teachers of years 1-8, supported by MoE in 9 regions across the country from March – April. Explore 4 resources developed from the 2017 National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (NMSSA) in science. A NoS focus here. https://www.nzcer.org.nz/science-progress-workshops

Cheers, Mike