| 12 Feb | International Charles Darwin Day www.darwinday.org/index.php |
| 12 Feb | Deadline to register for the Virtual Learning Network’s primary programs |
| 12 Feb | 3:30pm PLD for CB 1.1 Microbes: Learning Outcomes & contexts. Link |
| 12 Feb | 5pm Webinar on SCI1.1 and SCI1.2 Learning outcomes. Link |
| 13 Feb | 3:30pm PLD for AHS: overview, learning outcomes. Link |
| 13 Feb | 4pm PLD for PES1.1 Human Induced Changes: unpack std, learning outcomes. Link |
| 13 Feb | 7:30pm PLD for CB1.4 Properties: Intro & overview. Link |
| 13 Feb | Deadline to vote in NZ Bug of the Year https://bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/ |
| 14 Feb | 3:30pm PLD for AHS: overview, learning outcomes. Link |
| 14 Feb | 4pm PLD for S1.1 Sci-informed response: teaching. Link |
| 14 Feb | 7:30pm PLD for PES1.4 Energy: Learning Outcomes. Link to register |
| 15 Feb | 4pm PLD for PES1.3 SME interaction: Unpack standard, learning outcomes. Link |
| 15 Feb | 5:30-7pm, talk on The life of a Forensic pathologist. Info here. |
| 19 Feb | 4pm PLD for AHS1.1 Life Processes: Teaching and Learning. Link |
| 20 Feb | 4pm PLD for AHS: piloteers panel. Link |
| 20 Feb | 7pm PLD for PES 1.1 Human Induced changes: course outlines. Link |
| 20 Feb | 7:30pm PLD for CB1.1 Microbes: assessment. Link |
| 20 Feb | 7:30pm PLD for CB1.2 Reactions: assessment. Link |
| 21 Feb | 7:30pm PLD for PES1.2 Investigations: learning outcomes. Link to register. |
| 21 Feb | International Mother Language Day link |
| 21 Feb | Deadline to apply for Wellington Zoo’s small grants for conservation work. Info here. |
| 22 Feb | Massey Uni PLD day for AgHort teachers at Mt Albert Grammar. Register here. |
| 22 Feb | 4pm PLD for S1.1 Science-informed response: assessment. No link yet |
| 22 Feb | 7pm PLD for PES1.3 SME interactions: course outlines. Link. |
| 23 Feb | Deadline to apply for regionally allocated PLD |
| Moon | 1Q Feb 17 FM Feb 25 3Q Mar 4 NM Mar 10 |
- Seaweek 2-10 Mar. Resources:
- Seaweek @ Te Papa will involve a talk about deep sea exploration as well as a rotation of activities, suitable for years 2-8. Two sessions on Fri 8 March: 10-12 or 12:30-2:30. Book here.
- ChemEd-BioLive conference will run from the evening of Wed 12 Nov to lunchtime Fri 14 Nov 2024 at Victoria University, Wellington. Convenor Phil Kendon p.kendon@wc.school.nz
Info
- Mātauranga Māori:
- Ngāi Tahu cultural atlas – information about different places https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas
- Ngāi Tahu education resources have expanded beyond Mahinga Kai
- Pedagogy:
- Some worksheets using the Claim Evidence Reasoning strategy
- Professional reading/watching/listening:
- Recordings from NZCER seminar by Drs Duckor and Holmberg of San Jose State Uni and discussion on Meaningful Feedback For Continuous Improvement in the classroom.
- Student opportunities:
- The Science Roadshow will be on tour again nationwide in 2024. Includes live shows and hands-on exhibits that expand students’ understanding of STEM subjects and strongly supports the Nature of Science strand & the Science Capabilities. https://scienceroadshow.nz/
- Literacy:
- TES article on strategies to support deep reading. (Sign up for 3 free articles/month)
- HoD:
- An article about types of research evidence and how to use them to improve teaching
- Digital tools:
- A free online tool for running a t test. Paste some data in, view a graph, and run the t-test.
- Podcasts:
- Cosmos podcast Debunks is a myth-busting guide
- Explorify Hosts podcast for primary teachers of science
- Every year CSTA provides exams free to members, $55 to others. This year their exams will include L1 Science, written in consultation with pilot schools, as well as L2 Bio.
Resources
- Biology:
- A resource about the repo wetlands of Wairarapa co-designed by iwi and Vic uni.
- Becoming Human is a 2024 doco with 12 videos narrated by Donald Johansson, plus texts & activities telling the story of human evolution. https://becominghuman.org/documentary/
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- Southern Seasonal employment calendar
- BBC article summarises what NZ is doing to reduce methane emissions
- Earth & Space Science:
- Astrophysics a guide https://arxiv.org/pdf/2312.04041.pdf
- Bring the ocean to the classroom with virtual reality webinar with Alice Ward-Allen here:
- An animation showing plate tectonics creating mountains.
- Chemistry:
- Ideas for teaching atomic structure & periodicity
- The chemistry of the Chinese New Year
- Physics:
- Waka Kotahi problem-solving activities and experiments to understand force and motion in the context of road safety.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about falling through the centre of the earth
- Primary & intermediate:
- Waka Kotahi’s practicals for primary students on gravity & friction, collisions, safety design.
- The Spring issue of Primary Science Teaching Trust’s magazine, Why & How, is out.
- Education for Sustainability (EfS)
- Recorded webinar on the effect of changing sea temperatures on sea life https://seaweek.org.nz/news/extreme-weather-and-warming-nga-korero-webinar-recap
- a new NZ-based site on climate change https://climateandnature.org.nz/
- New standards
- Posters on the features of science from Anna Janet: FoS Poster I and FoS Poster 2 .
- Scientific claims to check validity (S1.4) of grounded bedsheets and Arepa scienceRelated cliaims (from Jo Standley)
MoE/NZQA
- Schools describe how they are helping the students to success in NCEA numeracy and literacy https://ncea.education.govt.nz/literacy-and-numeracy-case-studies
- As part of the support for L1 Science, NZASE president Doug Walker is hosting a webinar to take a closer look at the Learning Outcomes for SCI1.1 and SCI1.2 on Mon 12 Feb at 5pm. https://youtube.com/live/IuJMoG3Tvw8?feature=share
- A calendar of the planned pLD program for L1 Science: PLD schedule as at 12 Feb
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- Learn about budding and summer grafting at Ak Botanic Gardens Sun 18 Feb 10:30-12. Meet in foyer
Cheers, Mike
Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of Warp Computers