1-31 Mar	Melanoma March www.melanoma.org.nz/news-events/recent-news
1-31 Mar	Hearing Awareness Month https://www.nfd.org.nz/hearing-awareness-month2020
1-31 Mar	Whio Awareness month https://www.doc.govt.nz/whioforever
10-16 Mar	Brain Awareness Week Neurological Foundation, Dana Foundation
12 Mar	Deadline to apply for SLH/NZASE PLD on inclusive Science Education. Info. Register
13 Mar	World Kidney Day www.kidneys.co.nz
14 Mar	Pi Day NASA Challenge (+ the day Einstein was born and Hawking died)
14 Mar	Total lunar eclipse visible from NZ, 7:50 – 11 pm More info
19 Mar	ASTA Literacy event 4-6pm, venue MAGS. Register here by 17 Mar
20 Mar	Autumnal Equinox NZ https://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set-1
21 Mar	World Forestry Day www.fitec.org.nz
21 Mar	World Down Syndrome Day http://www.un.org/en/events/downsyndromeday/
22 Mar	Earth hour 8:30 – 9:30 pm www.earthhour.org.nz
22Mar-22Apr	EcoFest, https://ecofest.org.nz/events/
22 Mar	World Water Day www.emap.rsnz.org http://www.worldwaterday.org/
23 Mar	World Meteorological Day www.metservice.co.nz , go to Learning Centre
23 Mar	World Maths Day https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/
24 Mar	World Tuberculosis day www.stoptb.org
Moon	FM 14 Mar      3Q Mar 23      NM Mar 29      1Q Apr 5

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • Cafe Scientifique Tauranga: 17 Mar: Tayah Ryan speaks on science in the kiwifruit industry. Tauranga Yacht Club Doors open at 6:30 for a 7pm start, $10. RSVP julia.banks60@gmail.com
2. Ecofest is a collection of Auckland events that focus on conservation 22 Mar – 22 Apr. Activities, competitions, clean-ups, workshops, demos … https://ecofest.org.nz/events/
3. STEMFest will be Sun 28 Sep in Tauranga. Schools can register their interest for a series of free events in locations in the Western Bay of Plenty outside of major cities and towns.
4. STANZ AGM will be held at Wellington East Girls College 2pm April 9. Zoom link soon.

Info

1. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Article about asking questions in job interviews for teaching positions
   • The 3 Mar Education Gazette has science articles about ocean education & īnanga ecology
2. Student opportunities:
   • Henry Franck at St Kents is establishing a STEM competition where students make & race a miniature F1 car. For students 9 -19 years old. The winner goes to a World Championship.
   • Women in Engineering at Ak Uni is offering a free STEM workshop with hands-on activities for yr 9 & 10 students. Saturday 15 Mar 12-3pm. Info here.
3. Science Careers:
   • I Am A Scientist’s free education resources on the stories of dozens of STEM professionals include slide decks, posters, day-in-the-life vignettes, Spotify playlists and hands-on activities.
4. Schools can apply to BoP Regional Council for up to $10,000 for environmental projects – e.g. build a wetland, collect rainwater, … https://www.participate.boprc.govt.nz/ssrf
5. Bay Science is the new website for Bay of Plenty Science Educators, showcasing the diversity and range of rich science education experiences from around the bay for both students and teachers.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Australian resources to help students make a wildlife documentary https://www.abc.net.au/education/wildlifers-make-your-own-nature-documentary/102420380
   • Using the context of sickle cell disease to teach meiosis, Punnett squares and probability. https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/sickle-cell-disease-storyline
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • FDMC is selling plants including trees & shrubs from their school nursery in New Plymouth https://sites.google.com/fdmc.school.nz/fdmcplantnursery/home
   • From 12 Mar students can enter a Minecraft competition on sustainable seas. https://interfaceonline.co.nz/minecraft2025/
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • A play to demonstrate the fundamental characteristics of stars and their life cycles http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/teachers/classroom/Galaxies.html
   • Julian Thomson’s geology course for Waldorf/Steiner teachers https://julianthomson.substack.com/p/geology-for-teachers-in-taiwan
4. Chemistry:
   • A free Heat of Crystallization Lab from Amy Brown Science (you will need to join ABS, it’s free)
   • Tara Iti is a new resource for L2 Structure & Bonding that generates exam questions with lots of permutations & suggested answers. It draws on the last 15 yrs of exam Qs. https://taraiti.nz/
5. Physics:
   • Lesson to introduce refraction https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/van_oddsofcancer_lesson02
   • A simple video explaining (DC) electric motors https://www.facebook.com/jaredowenanimations/videos/1292497131929264
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Activities about oil https://www.york.ac.uk/ciec/resources/primary/oil-for-beginners/
   • Youth Engineering solutions has free computing resources for years 1-8 https://yes.mos.org/curricula/engineering-and-computer-science
7.  Science:
   • Making a miniature bow (2 floss picks) and arrow (cotton bud). https://www.facebook.com/reel/501184379662119
   • Sites to access science research articles: RefSeek, WorldCat, Bioline, US govt, BaseSearch. [thanks to Mere Manning]
8. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • The Ocean That Connects Us is a worldwide collaboration of schools working on multi-level projects to learn more about aspects of climate change. To join contact Geoff Wood at Rosmini.
9. A science book you or your students might like to read
   • Bug Lab for Kids by John W. Guyton is divided into nine well-organized units, each containing several practicals. E.g. how to collect and observe insects & spiders as well as appropriate attire for fieldwork, first aid treatment for bites and stings, and an explanation of the scientific method.
10.  Literacy
    • Articles from students who went to the writing boot camp in New York (advertised it in Mikes News last November) https://journal.letterly.io/

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Learning Network NZ, Cnr Universal/Soljan Drives, Henderson, Auckland:
   • Tiritiri-led Practice with Janelle Riki-Waaka. Session 1 Mar 27, session 2 May 22.
2. Further to previous info about NZASE PLD, the Northland workshop is Tues 25 Mar at Kerikeri High School and Auckland 17 Mar is now at Tangaroa College. Both 10am – 2pm.
3. BoP cluster for secondary teachers complements and adds to the discussions which are happening across the NZASE workshops around moderator comments. Wed 26 Mar after school. Info here.

Cheers, Mike

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