1 Sep	NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/
1-30 Sep	Asthma Awareness Month  http://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/
4 Sep	Deadline to apply for 2021 Science Teaching Leadership Programme.
6 Sep	Tsunami warning siren test at the beginning of daylight saving
6-12 Sep	Tongan Language week  www.mpia.govt.nz
7 Sep	Deadline to  apply for Science Teaching Leadership Program
7-13 Sep	Keep NZ Beautiful Week (= Clean Up Wk)  www.knzb.org.nz/
8 Sep	International Literacy day  https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all
9 Sep	NZASE online forum 3:30-4:30 pm for teachers of years 1-8. Register here
11 Sep	Deadline for students to apply for chem Olympiad. More info here.
14-18 Sep	New dates for Primary science week. Science of sound.
14-21 Sep	Maori Language week  www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz
Moon	FM 2 Sep      3Q 10 Sep      NM 17 Sep      1Q 24 Sep

1. ESSE’s online AGM is 12 Sep 10:30-1:30. RSVP to Jenny Pearthspacenz@gmail.com.

2. Miranda Trust reports a godwit carrying a tracker has left the Aleutians bound for home. So we can expect our migrant wading birds to be arriving back in the next little while.
   

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • Resources for Māori language week 14-21 Sep:
     • Tips to encourage the use of Te Reo Māori in the classroom https://www.akopanuku.tki.org.nz/assets/ResourceFiles/akona-te-reo-maori-hexagon.pdf
   • Resources for Tongan Language week next week:
     • Quiz on Tongan language from Te Papa
     • Some phrases: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Common-phrases-Tongan-2p.docx

2. Pedagogy:
   • Practical guidance on key evidence-based practices for science teaching https://edu.rsc.org/eic/collections/simple-rules
   • A selection of questions for student reflection on coming back from lockdown https://twitter.com/KKNTeachLearn/status/1295752383742513152/photo/1

3. Professional reading/watching:
   • I found the annual report of the PM’s Science Advisor interesting reading – telling the science story behind events in NZ. Looking forward to hearing her at SciCon.
   • Derek Wenmoth comprehensively synthesises several post-lockdown reports & posits some outcomes needed https://wenmoth.net/2020/08/20/lessons-from-lockdown

4. Digital support
   • Remote learning videos for year 9 & L1 Science and for L2 & L3 Chem by Keri Tan Garlick https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSy0kdAIHLH13AN5pxKPUhw

5. A summary of Education policies from different political parties. https://policy.nz/topic/education?fbclid=IwAR1e9i5cIWpQFhJYsU0oDIcsFpxzWxjMrpRTjZxvuWxDwg2pgrAIsg3BX1I#Schools

Event for Gifted students in yrs 6-9. Inventionator is a team based challenge designed for students to co-create innovative solutions to real-life problems https://core-ed.org/research-and-innovation/core-innovation/inventionator/inventionator-for-gifted-learners/\

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Comparing genes, chromosomes & DNA (need to join, it’s free) https://www.teachitscience.co.uk/resources/ks3/inheritance/biology/chromosomes-genes-and-dna/23328
   • Good evolution resources https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/07/index.html

2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • How we can achieve win-win outcomes for pastoral farming & biodiversity conservation in NZ. https://predatorfreenz.org/pastoral-farming-biodiversity
   • Country Calendar 23 Aug showed some details of hop farming.

3. Earth & Space Science
   • Investigating photos for evidence of erosion.
   • A animation of the seasons that starts very simply but gets more complex. https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1498813/seasons

4. Chemistry:
   • The chemistry of fire and tattoos.
   • How to teach mixtures and solutions https://edu.rsc.org/cpd/mixtures-and-solutions/3008735.article

5. Physics:
   • Try making this homemade iPhone speaker – experiment with different types of cups and changing the length of the cardboard tube to see how that changes the sound.
   • Pros and cons of windfarms: EnergySage text and ABC education video.

6. Science of COVID-19:
   • Sequencing viral genomes [Michal Denny] https://sciblogs.co.nz/code-for-life/2020/08/17/covid-19-sequence-the-viral-genomes-of-all-border-cases
   • WHO has developed a series of coronavirus myth buster cards

7. EfS:
   • LearNZ virtual field trip: Getting around: your options for a sustainable future 3-5 Nov
   • A poster on the sustainability of whitebaiting https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcz8swu0d4mf2m4/Whitebait%20flowchart%20full-size.png

8. Science at years 1-8
   • For the STEAM classroom, simple salty circuits to investigate electrical current
   • Making a popsicle stick water boat to explore floating, speed, effect of sail shape, …. https://www.tinkercad.com/things/gYogXmOg4lm

9. Nature of Science
   • An article on the ethics of masks – an approach useful for other socio-scientific issues?
   • Carrie Vander Zwaag has made questions for the COVID mask article from last week. Students then discuss materials (hydrophilic vs hydrophobic, synthetic vs enviro-based). Yr 9/10 students then make masks, justifying their choice of material. Resource: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Masks-WHO-article.docx

10. Science
    • What does statistically significant mean? https://thelogicofscience.com/2020/08/14/what-does-statistically-significant-mean

MoE/NZQA

1. In response to several recent queries, the current L1 standards will still be valid in 2021. Original implementation timeline for new stds was trials in 2021, optional for 2022 and compulsory in 2023. It may well change, but it won’t be any earlier.

Finding schools that teach a std (or used to): NZQA à Info for schools & teachers à Std search. Enter a no. eg 22188  à a link halfway down the page that says “View Education Organisations with Consent to Assess” à enter region and type.                [Larraine Barton]

Professional Learning & Development

1. ESS webinars (3) for both Stars & Planetary Systems (AS 91192, 2.6) and scholarship (3): https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ESS-Webinars.docx

Maurice Wilkins Centre free biology teacher PD: Timaru, Christchurch, Nelson (9-11 Nov) and then Taupo, Tauranga, Ak (16-18 Nov). Queries to Rachel rheeney@eggs.school.nz

Technicians

1. Glucose or golden syrup when mixed with instant coffee gives the texture of oozing blood. A little food dye gives the colour. https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/capital-day/85870494/kiwi-kids-unlock-creativity-for-all-hallows-eve

If you know of any science texts for years 7 & 8 please email kang@elim.school.nz

Cheers, Mike