Mike’s News Apr 15

Posted on by Mike Stone
15-22 Apr International Dark Sky Week Info here
17 Apr World Haemophilia day www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=492
17 Apr International Bat Appreciation Day. Info here
22 Apr Earth day www.earthday.net
24Apr-5May A Teacher Only day in these two weeks https://ncea.education.govt.nz/teacher-only-days
25 Apr World Penguin day www.calendarr.com/united-kingdom/world-penguin-day/
25 Apr World malaria Day www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/malaria/en/index.html
26Apr1986 Anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Link here.
28 Apr Save the frogs day www.savethefrogs.com/day/ www.nzfrogs.org/
Moon 1Q Apr 16      FM Apr 24      3Q May 1      NM May 8
  1. NZASE’s AGM will be online 10am Sat 11 May. Email NZASE@xtra.co.nz for details.

Info

  1. Mātauranga Māori:
  2. Professional reading/watching/listening:
    • Kaiser Science looks at Universal Design for Learning
    • Learning From Each Other: Enhancing Pacific Education through People, Concept and Culture-focused Inquiry by Chu-Fuluifaga and Reynolds provides a relationship-derived description of helpful tools that are useful to support sustained positive change for Pacific students.
  3. Student opportunities:
    • Women in Engineering will organise current Ak uni students to visit yr 9-13 students. They can talk about uni study/careers, run an activity, be part of a career expo/assembly etc. Info here.
    • HHMI online interactive biology workshop for students modeling coral bleaching. Th 25 Apr 7-8:30pm ET (11am Fri 26 NZT). Register here
  4. There is financial support available for those wanting to go to the Biolive/ChemEd conference in Wellington 12-14 November. All paid by reimbursement.
    • BEANZ scholarships
      • For members who attend, the scholarships cover registration, travel, conf dinner & accommodation up to the value of $800. To apply send details – your name, organisation, email address & reason for applying – to biologynz@gmail.com
      • For members who present, scholarships cover as above plus relief costs. Maximum value $4000. Applications close 21 Jun. To apply, fill in this form BEANZ Conf Presenter Application form
    • A SCENZ travel subsidy of up to $500 is available for member schools. Priority is given to chemistry teachers in small or isolated schools, or new to teaching or teaching chem as a non-specialist subject. To apply, send your contact details & reasons for applying here.
    • 2024 PPTA grants for subject association conferences cover registration, travel, meals, child-care & accommodation (not relief) to the value of $750 (incl GST) for PPTA members. Info here.

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
  7.  Science:
    • Data Nuggets aim to improve students quantitative literacy using real research data. Differentiated activities, teacher guidance, exemplars, links & info about the research.
    • Watercare article from latest newsletter about Auckland’s water sources
  8.  STEM/STEAM:
    • These STEM-focused classroom activities for grades K-5 will boost your students’ creative problem-solving skills & reinforce the value of teamwork in the context of space exploration.
  9. New standards

Can you help?

  1. Torris Brewster is a student at Massachusetts uni exploring how high school teachers manage student behaviour, and foster inquiry-based learning, collaboration & student motivation. Looking for teachers from across the globe for a 30 min interview. torris_brewster@student.uml.edu
  2. NZASE schools’ animal ethics committee oversees applications from students/teachers considering projects that involve manipulations of animals & advises on best practices. SAEC is seeking an NZASE rep & a teacher rep, each a 3-year role, with 6 online evening meetings & 1 face-to-face meeting, per year. Remuneration provided. Contact Donna Sellers at NZASE@xtra.co.nz

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Dates & times for most term 2 HATA Regional Hub workshops are on the registration form
  2. The focus for Regionally allocated PLD has changed. The term 2 round is on hold, information due out soon. From T2 applications need to focus on
    • structured approaches to literacy and to pānui and tuhituhi or
    • implementation of NCEA L1 including the literacy and numeracy co-requisites or
    • assessment and aromatawai to support student progress and achievement.
  3. Agribusiness National Conference for schools is being held at John McGlashan College, Dunedin 16-17 May. Free to attend, find your own costs for transport & accommodation. Register here.
  4. Online course on making science videos. $127 USD. Apply Discount Code: VIDEO20 at checkout (expires 9:30 GMT 15 Apr) https://www.animateyour.science/produce-your-own-science-video

Cheers, Mike

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