Mike’s News Feb 10

Posted on by Mike Stone
4 Feb World Cancer Day https://www.worldcancerday.org/
5 Feb Applications close for Science Teaching Leadership Programme. Info here.
7 Feb National Periodic Table day http://www.periodictableday.org/
11 Feb International Day of Women and Girls in Science http://bit.ly/UNESCO2Rp0zpr
11 Feb Women in STEM panel 11 Feb, 6:30-7:30 Te Pae Chch Convention Centre.
12 Feb International Charles Darwin Day www.darwinday.org/index.php
14 Feb 11 am Science is Cool webinar on citizen science. Info here.
20 Feb 1-2:30pm HHMI free online PLD on Sickle Cell Disease. Register here.
20 Feb 4pm. Hub webinar on using a knowledge systems approach in the classroom. Info here.
21 Feb International Mother Language Day link
Moon FM Feb 13      3Q Feb 21      NM Feb 28      1Q 7 Mar
  1. Feb 8-16 is National Butterfly Week. Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust has butterfly conservation activities Check out their Facebook page for more details.
  2. To prepare for Seaweek 1-9 March, there’s a Seaweek Webinar for teachers Wed 12 Feb 3:30pm.
  3. Cafe Scientifique: Dr Chris Battershill talks about apex predators in the local marine environment. 17 Feb, Tauranga Yacht Club. Doors open at 6:30 for a 7pm start, $10.
  4. SciCon is on 2-5 July at Taieri College. Start about 6 Wed evening & finish about 12 on Sat. As there is also a rugby test & an international conference, best book flights & accommodation early. Info should be on the website in a couple of weeks www.scicon2025.nz Don’t forget PPTA PLD grant ($750)

Info

  1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
  2. Professional reading/watching/listening:
    • The 3 Feb Ed Gazette has articles on the refreshed Maths & Stats curriculum, training staff in youth mental health, a new podcast for principals and empowering Pacific students.
  3. Literacy
    • Science articles from the 2024 school journals
      • November: Worms (L3). The history of flight; paper planes (Junior Journal).
      • June: Catching Rats; Lizards & gardens; kea w lead poisoning (L2). Māra kai; daylighting streams (L3). Dark Sky; Matariki stars; using a coconut to find stars (junior Journal).
  4. Student opportunities
    • Canterbury uni’s astronomy school covers all expenses & is in the Apr hols, link here. Year 13 students passionate about astronomy need to apply by Feb 28
  5. To support colleagues who primarily work in High Equity Index Schools (HEIS), Keri Garlick has started Empower KEA with a Google Drive of resources, a Discord server for discussion and a Google Site. To join go to empowerkea.org.nz. Email address is empowerkea@gmail.com

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
    • Activity to make a windmill to lift a bucket and a demo of using the windmill to make electricity – student sheet, teacher guide
    • Young Ocean Explorers 21 day challenge has ready-made lessons you can tailor to your class – 4 core lessons + options. Good to do with Sea Week (1-9 March).
  7.  Science:
  8. Nature of Science:
    • Could start senior subjects with the nature of scientific inquiry & science models e.g. the mystery tube activity, video and lesson plan. Using observations to make a model.
  9. Wellington’s Space Place offers

MoE/NZQA

  1. Exam specs for L1 Science, L1 CB, L1 PES, L1 AgH; L2 AgH, L3 AgH, L2 Bio, L3 Bio, L2 Chem, L3 Chem, L2 ESS, L3 ESS, L2 Phys, L3 Phys.
  2. L1 science matrix – last week’s version was out of date & removed, apologies. New L1 Science Matrix updated for 2025

Can you help?

  1. Te Pū Tiaki Mana Taonga Association of Educators Beyond the Classroom want to understand how teachers use local cultural & heritage spaces for educational activities & curriculum integration, as well as any barriers you face. Survey link: https://forms.gle/izBE88YWdBvMuRESA

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. The Literacy Place PLD:
    • Dr Nathaniel Swain on the Science of Learning in Action. Auckland 14 April at Waipuna Conference Centre. Click here for more details and here to register.
  2. Leadership Lab is planning “Te Tiriti Incubator” PLD to support leaders in giving effect to the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by developing a deeper understanding of the Tiriti relationship between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti. This will be offered in Ōtautahi from Jun 25-Apr 2026, other locations in 2026. If you might be interested in details once finalized register here.
  3. Learning Network NZ, Cnr Universal/Soljan Drives, Henderson, Auckland offers courses for
  4. New webinars from The Education Hub ($60/year or $10/webinar):

Technician

  1. The Ministry of Health support for schools to assess and safely dispose of radioactive substances. https://www.health.govt.nz/regulation-legislation/radiation/information-and-guidance/aria-programme

Cheers, Mike

Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of Warp Computers and NZASE