31 Jan	World leprosy day. Link here
1-28 Feb	Bikewise month https://can.org.nz/article/february-is-bikewise-month
1-28 Feb	Heart Awareness Month www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women
1 Feb	Chinese New Year begins (year of the tiger) https://chinesenewyear.net/
2 Feb	World Wetlands Day DoC’s wetland page
4 Feb	World Cancer Day http://www.worldcancerday.org/
7 Feb	National Periodic Table day http://www.periodictableday.org/
Moon	3Q Jan 26      NM Feb 1      1Q Feb 9      FM Feb 17

2022 is the International Year of

• Glass . A history of glass here.
• Basic sciences for Sustainable development
• Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • The pūrākau of Mt Taranaki https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ewnparPiw
2. Student opportunities:
   • An Antarctic expedition in Feb invites year 1-12 students to join them virtually. The scientists will be mapping the seafloor, studying plankton, investigating sediment layers. Contact Joline at sea2schoolau@gmail.com
3. Teacher Opportunities:
   • The latest Primary newsletter from Sandy Jackson has information on 3 science opportunities for science teachers: Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy PLD in the holidays; the Science Roadshow; and Wonder Project. https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/opportunities-for-primary-teachers.pdf
4. Suggestions for getting back to school as well as 4 science posters https://gettingnerdywithmelandgerdy.com/top-ten-teacher-tips-back-school/
5. Some start of the year, get-to-know-you activities:
   • Explore the LEARNZ field trip Map my waahi https://www.learnz.org.nz/mapping183, then students use google earth to map & share their story – their mountain, river …
   • Icebreakers https://www.signupgenius.com/school/icebreaker-activities-middle-school-high-school.cfm
   • Set up a world map for students to post their favourite place eg padlet
   • Ask students to make a poster/presentation/shield about themselves. Give some ideas of the sorts of things they could include. Decide together how to share.
6. Suggestions to pass on to new staff: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Top-Tips-from-previous-new-staff.pptx

Resources

1. Biology:
   • TEDEd lesson on hearing https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-science-of-hearing-douglas-l-oliver
   • A summary of the current knowledge on human evolution. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/human-evolution-species-origin-fossils-ancient-dna
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Successful graft in monocots – New Scientist article
   • Competitions for students:
     • AgriKidsNZ – primary events.humanitix.com/agrikidsnzregionalfinals
     • FMG Junior Young Farmer – secondary events.humanitix.com/regionalfinalsjunior
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Article on the sun’s rotation https://science.howstuffworks.com/does-sun-rotate.htm
   • National Geographic resources on ocean currents
   • A teacher guide on stratovolcanoes https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/stratoguide/stratoguide.pdf
4. Chemistry:
   • Make a colour density column using different concentrations of sugar https://www.chemedx.org/activity/demonstration-colorful-sugar-density-column-0
   • Use practical chemical analysis to solve a crime https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/how-to-solve-a-murder/4014835.article
5. Physics:
   • Paper airplane flight challenge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAPPT7gcl5s
   • PhET has new AC simulations: circuit construction kit AC and a virtual lab
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • This article describes how extreme rainfall events across the world are significantly connected. And related investigations and activities.
   • Activity using grated crayons to model rock types https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/crayon-rock-cycle/
7. Nature of Science:
   • A cube to help students think about what is science, and what isn’t. https://gettingnerdywithmelandgerdy.com/store/What-Is-Science-Cubing-Activity-p168652579%3C (under free resources)
8.  EfS:
   • An activity demonstrating connections in an ecosystem and how they may be impacted by climate change https://www.earthproject.org/boosters/nature_connections
   • The School Journal has a series of three articles on climate change – Our biggest challenge Jun 2018, Feedback May 2020; Reducing our footprint May 2021. Search here

MoE/NZQA

1. NCEA results released online on 20 Jan, Schol results on 10 Feb. NZQA says assessment schedules will be released late Jan/early Feb, 6 weeks earlier than usual. [Ian Torrie]

Can you help?

1. “We are exploring the Socio-scientific issue of organ donation (for B3.2) & we are struggling to locate documentation of any person/groups who are against this. If you can help please contact me” rachel.drysdale@wghs.school.nz
2. Researchers from Sydney Uni are looking to survey primary or HPE teachers about providing feedback for improving physical activity in children. Will take about an hour. https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26kxtI1rX8hWGoe
3. House of Science is looking for volunteers to take kits between Shannon and Palmerston North. Please contact denise.keen@houseofscience.nz

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Kohia Teachers Centre, Ak uni campus, 78 Epsom Ave, gate 2.
   • Starting out in a NZ secondary school (Robyn Headifen) – 11 Feb, 9:30-2:30 online in 2 sessions with a lunch break
2. RASNZ offers astronomy courses – the 1^st, Exploring the Solar System, starts 15 Feb. These webinars by Ngā Whetū Resources are at 7-9pm on Tuesdays for 8 weeks. Numbers limited. Recorded. $60 NZD. https://oxford.ngawhetu.nz/index.php
3. Science is Cool 8 online conference 12 – 4 pm ET Fri 25 Feb (6-10 am NZST Sat 26 Feb). Sign up here https://www.thepocketlab.com/events/scic8
4. An online course from Canterbury uni on volcanoes and their hazards (NZ & Iceland) avail free til 5 Mar. [Larraine Barton] https://www.edx.org/course/exploring-volcanoes-and-their-hazards-iceland-and-new-zealand

Cheers,

Mike

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