1 Jan	International year of camelids https://www.iyrp.info/international-year-camelids-iyc-2024
28 Jan	World leprosy day. Link here
1-28 Feb	Bike Ready month http://www.bikeready.govt.nz/schools
1-28 Feb	Heart Awareness Month www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women
2 Feb	World Wetlands Day DoC’s wetland page Wetland Trust NZASE article
4 Feb	World Cancer Day https://www.worldcancerday.org/
7 Feb	National Periodic Table day http://www.periodictableday.org/
10 Feb	Chinese New Year begins (year of the dragon) https://chinesenewyear.net/
11 Feb	International Day of Women and Girls in Science http://bit.ly/UNESCO2Rp0zpr
12 Feb	International Charles Darwin Day www.darwinday.org/index.php
Moon	3Q Feb 3       NM Feb 10       1Q Feb 17       FM Feb 25

1. A year’s calendar of science events to support your teaching program (language weeks tbc): Dates for 2024
2. Stardate South Island is 9-11 Feb in Staveley, Canterbury for astronomy enthusiasts. Bunk-rooms and caravan/camper-van/tent sites available. $30 per night. https://www.treesandstars.com/stardate/
3. Canterbury uni is running a free festival of women and girls in science Sun 11 Feb, 10am-3pm. At Tūranga, 60 Cathedral Square https://festivalofwomenandgirlsinscience.co.nz

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • ESS resources on mātauranga Māori around weather https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rxGG7wuAcIsSpC4J-w-TBBQWQgWC8VpD
   • An article and PowerPoint from NZASE on tiakitanga https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gypbqQsezk-P3fkN07J4YnMS2yYLOoF6
2.  Pedagogy:
   • How can teachers encourage good behaviour? Article from evidence-based Education.
   • Advice for those starting their teaching career: SoY Top Tips from previous new staff
3. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Read the He Uru Kahikatea report (or just key messages) from the PM’s Science Advisor about building young people’s resilience through media & information literacy and digital citizenship skills.
4. Student opportunities:
   • The Elaine P. Snowden Astronomy school is a week-long April camp for yr 13 ESS or Physics students. It is held at Canterbury uni & includes a mix of seminars and practicals as well as a visit to UC’s Mt John Observatory. No cost. Deadline 29 Feb.
   • The zoo is wanting to develop a play space that explores the natural world. Answer a survey by 27 Feb to submit your ideas. https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/nature-play
   • Live feed with scientists in Antarctica 8-14 Feb facilitated by Otago Museum for Otago schools. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yCe2yrI8SAyVFZSCHVg_y16EPBTseimy/view
5.  HoD:
   • Principles of authentic leadership https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=infographics
   • Carly Fiorina on managers who maintain the status quo and leaders who effect change. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/management-vs-leadership-carly-fiorina-4peoe
6. Digital support:
   • Coding projects from NASA https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/events/2023/12/4/celebrate-computer-science-education-week-with-nasa
   • Visible Geology is a digital tool for modelling geology. Article and explanatory videos here, have a go yourself here https://beta.visiblegeology.com/
7. Microbiologist Paul Brady is happy to help Christchurch schools. He can present on many aspects of Antarctica, help with observing mosses, lichens and some arthropods students have collected as well as assist with the new Science badge on Antarctica. Contact paul.brady@canterbury.ac.nz
8. Samoan scientist (Amy Maslen-Miller) has created an eBook to share knowledge about Samoan traditional foods that are not commonly known (a work in process). https://tr.ee/akQRO0AEar

Curricular Resources

1. Biology:
   • Find the errors on this tee-shirt graphic:  Skeleton T shirt:
   • A PPT on the importance of biology: why study bio
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Lincoln Uni resources for AgHort teachers on Wool (L1); Dairy & Sustainability (L1); Pastures; and Pest Management (L2). Contact Lauren.Roberts@lincoln.ac.nz for access
   • Careers in primary industries: info here, poster: Careers Primary Industry A3 POSTER
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Simulating solar system formation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXq1i3HlumA
   • AGI’s video why study geology and an article why study astronomy
4.  Chemistry:
   • Short videos with lesson plans showing the vital role chemical sciences play in the biggest issues facing the world. https://chemistryshorts.org/
   • An article for students about the different ways chemistry helps us
5. Physics:
   • Poster on why physics is important: 10 reasons to study Px:
   • NZIP has made some more videos about teaching energy, with a focus on practicals:
     • Video 5 – the hand warmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVEhYDD8QKk
     • Video 6 – the fire stick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyQ5Vz7vDX0
     • Video 7 – measuring ∆H_vap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Alo4-98vQQ
     • Video 8 – measuring specific heat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15JO-9iJTf0
   • Primary & intermediate:
     • Learnwell has workbooks for teaching primary science. If you want ideas for your program they may be worth a look.
     • Last NZAPSE newsletter: NZAPSE Newsletter T4 2023
   • New standards
     • Lincoln uni has a unit on different kinds of wool investigations in the context of home insulation (S1.2). Contact Lauren.Roberts@lincoln.ac.nz for access to the Google Drive folder
     • The exam for the new S1.3 is on the NZQA website, but not the Resource booklet. A copy was shared on FB: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W52zW456tp_tMI7GSrZ3KSXcLmHfaSpv/view
     • If you are offering L1 PES 1.1 or 1.3 please let ESSE know as they will be providing PLD support. Fill in this form .
     • An assessment plan for L1 Science posted by Dave Thrasher: 2024 L1 assessment year plan for NZ public schools

MoE/NZQA

1. Check out exam specs for the 2024 L1 externals (scroll down). More detail by the end of February.
2. The exemplars for PES 1.1 (Human-induced change) and PES 1.2 (investigation) are up
3. Tāhūrangi is replacing TKI as the on-line tool with resources to teach the NZ Curriculum, Mātauranga & Te Whariki. Find out more here https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/support
4. The Learning Outcomes are due to be published soon, Chem is expecting theirs on Tues 30 Jan.

Can you help?

1. Pakowhai School was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Principal Tim Rice is looking for some seeds to raise a nursery (they have seed-raising mix). If you can help please contact him.

Vacancies

1. Rodney College, Warkworth has had a long term reliever fall through at the last minute. They are looking for someone to teach science and senior chemistry. Gazette ad.
2. Auckland Girls Grammar is seeking a science & physics teacher. This school has a large Pasifika population. https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/1HAeqr-science-and-physics-teacher/
3. MoE is looking for a new NCEA Implementation Facilitator (NIF) from the Waikato. This job involves travel in the region & some nights away from home. Info here. Science NiF Linda Haycock available to chat here.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Apply for Regionally allocated PLD by 23 Feb. You’ll be notified of the outcome by wk 8 so you can contact a PLD facilitator & plan to start delivery next term. Schools can use this PLD to support the implementation of NCEA (in the ‘Local Curriculum Design’ priority).
2. Massey Uni PD day for AgHort teachers at Mt Albert Grammar 22 Feb 2024. To register click here. https://forms.gle/1ejq9JJK49M64o6U8
3. All subject associations have been given a pot of money to support teachers with the new standards in term 1. So expect to hear from NZASE about Science, SCENZ & BEANZ about CB and ESSE & NZIP about PES.

Technician

1. Real World Education’s online courses include qualifications for lab technicians & lab managers.
2. Bruce Warren at Clear Environmental will help schools dispose of excess / forbidden chemicals. Based in Tauranga but covers a wide area, was recommended on FB (by a Napier teacher)

This week, I have given some ways of introducing your science speciality. If you would like to share what you do please email me. Next week – getting to know your students and goal-setting.

Cheers, Mike

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