27Jul-2 Aug	Vanuatu Bislama Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
28 Jul	Deadline to submit response to subject association survey for MoE.
29 Jul	3:30 pm. Science Alive Primary Science PLD, St Joseph’s Primary, Timaru. Register
29-30 Jul	STEMM student challenge at Lower Hutt Town Hall
30 Jul	9am – 4:30pm NZGA Winter Seminar $ 270. Great Lake Centre, Taupō
30 Jul	3:30 pm. Science Alive Primary Science PLD, St Joseph’s School, Oamaru. Register
31 Jul	7pm ESSENZ webinar on 91414 Atmosphere Systems. Register here
31 Jul	3:30 pm. Science Alive Primary Science PLD, Cotswald Primary Sch, Chch. Register
31 Jul	Deadline to submit response to wasp survey. Info here.
1 Aug	Deadline to apply here for Ch Ed Trust awards for chemistry gear.
3-9 Aug	Cook Islands Māori Language week, Te Reo Māori Kūki Āirani www.mpia.govt.nz
4 Aug	3:30 pm. Science Alive Prim Science PLD, Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawerau, Qtn. Register
5 Aug	3:30 pm. Sci Alive Prim Sci PLD, James Hargest Coll Jun campus Invercargill. Register
6 Aug	3:30 pm. Science Alive Primary Science PLD, Tahuna N Int Sch, Dunedin. Register
6 Aug 1945	Hiroshima Day
6 Aug	Deadline to register students for NZIBO 2026. https://nzibo.org/nzibo-registration/
7 Aug	7pm ESSENZ webinar on 91193 Physical Principles in Earth Systems. Register here
8-14 Aug	Maths Week www.mathsweek.org.nz/
10 Aug	11 am Hiroshima memorial at the Peace Bell in Botanic Gardens, Christchurch.
Moon	1Q Aug 2        FM Aug 9        3Q Aug 16        NM Aug 23

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • Webinar for students from Kiwi Conservation Club on The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa. 27 Jul 3pm. Register here.
2. ASTA’s annual dinner is at Akarana Golf Club Th 21 Aug. ASTA Dinner Flier
3. A resource for Cook Islands Māori language week: Classroom phrases Cook Island Maori 2025

Info

1. Student opportunities:
   • Auckland’s first in-person NASA Space Apps Challenge is an event that brings students together with NASA experts to tackle real data challenges, and compete for space prizes. Oct 4 & 5, free. More info. NASA Space Apps poster
   • Science in a Van  is visiting schools in Kaikohe & the Bay of Islands 2-5 Sep with their engaging science shows. Book now!

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A Gizmo interactive learning about photosynthesis to help scientists in Australia determine why the coral in the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching. Join Gizmo for free
   • An article for students about recent research on coat colour in cats. Orange cats get their ginger colour from a single gene
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • An article on Sassy apples https://www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/article/growing-demand-for-a-bold-new-apple
   • Some irrigation posters here https://www.irrigationnz.co.nz/knowledgeresources/irrigationinnz and here https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1298253664992055&set=a.345364210281010
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Two labs looking at the solar cycle and predictions of solar storms (plus some videos on the sun & solar research. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/about-sun-lab/
   • The Science Learning Hub has a 3D plate boundary model for both the North & South Island. https://www.learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/new-zealand-plate-boundary-models.pdf
4.  Chemistry:
   • A free Gizmo interactive on Boyle’s & Charles’s Laws https://gizmos.explorelearning.com/find-gizmos/launch-gizmo?resourceId=422
   • What makes cheese stretchy? https://edu.rsc.org/everyday-chemistry/whats-the-stretchiest-cheese/4020741.article
5. Physics:
   • A collection of resources on projectile motion https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Teacher-Toolkits/Projectile-Motion
   • An activity testing materials for suitability as thermal storage in a passive solar building https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_environ_lesson09_activity1
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Article about air quality kits (Clear the Air) from House of Science. https://gazette.education.govt.nz/articles/akonga-become-scientists-to-clear-the-air-on-pollution/
   • A resource for teaching younger kids about materials and properties. https://edu.rsc.org/primary-science/materials-cards/2360.article
7. Middle School:
   • Bozeman science on physical and chemical change https://www.bozemanscience.com/physical-chemical-changes
   • A National Geographic activity investigating processes that shape the landscape – volcanic eruption, meteor impact, wind & water erosion.
8. Nature of Science
   • Science Learning Hub has released a collection of new resources to help students counter false information and identify trustworthy online sources. Might be useful for S1.4?
9.  Science:
   • Simulated experiments on fair tests in the context of plant growth https://www.abc.net.au/education/fair-test/13825800
   • Test the effectiveness of sunblocks with different SPF ratings by putting UV sensitive beads (from Electroflash or Temu) in plastic bags smeared with the sunscreen (+ a control) and counting the number that change colour.
10. A science book you or your students might like to read
    • Koro wētā by Heather Haylock is book about a girl who finds a wētā in her gumboot. With both giggles & ick moments, this book teaches kids about the 5 species of weta.
11.  Literacy
    • A vocab activity for year 12 Bio: I have who has cell
    • A vocab activity for year 9 or 10 chemistry: acid base dominoes

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science Learning Hub’s PLD on mātauranga Māori and Science you may have missed
   • Mātauranga Māori with Associate Professor Hēmi Whaanga
   • Kaitiakitanga with Tame Malcolm
   • Opportunities for using te reo Māori with Professor Rangi Mātāmua
   • Mātauranga and the Living World with Yvonne Taura
   • Local curriculum, mātauranga and science with Shawn Cooper
   • Māori knowledge in science education with Georgine Tuari Stewart & Sally Birdsall
   • Exploring mātauranga in the classroom with Chloe Stantiall
   • Webinars one to five on knowledge systems from Rose Hipkins and Pauline Waiti

Technicians

1. To demo the effect of increased CO₂ on air temp, set up 2 beakers, one with soda water, the other tap water, each covered with cling film sealed around a thermometer to make a closed system. Heat both with a lamp. Measure the air temperature above the liquids over 30-40 minutes.
2. A principal sent a letter to NZASE (which has been forwarded to technicians) about a potentially dangerous situation with one type of gas tap. Please check this out. Faulty gas tap

Cheers, Mike

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