Mike’s News Mar 3

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
1-9 Mar Sea week http://seaweek.org.nz/ & Seafest Wgtn https://www.loverimurimu.org/festival
3 Mar World wildlife Day http://wildlifeday.org/
3 Mar World Hearing day https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day
4 Mar World Engineering day https://worldengineeringday.net/
5 Mar 4pm NZASE webinar for OTT on teaching science in the NZ classroom. Link.
10-16 Mar Brain Awareness Week – Neurological Foundation, Dana Foundation
13 Mar World Kidney Day www.kidneys.co.nz (2nd Th in March)
14 Mar Pi Day NASA Challenge (also day Einstein born, Hawking died)
14 Mar Total lunar eclipse visible from NZ, 7:50 – 11 pm More info
Moon 1Q 7 Mar      FM 14 Mar      3Q Mar 23      NM Mar 29
  1. Talks that may be relevant for us
  2. Stardome Observatory events in March: a Mars planetarium show, a doco about the Mars Rover & Sci-Fi films about Mars every Wed from 5 March. https://www.stardome.org.nz/mars-month-
  3. NZIP is open for registration and calling for abstracts from presenters (deadline 4 Apr)
  4. ASTA Events 2025 for Auckland primary & secondary teachers for the year. The 1st PLD:  Science and Literacy Event 19 Mar
  5. Genomics Aotearoa’s resources from their 2024 workshops in Auckland & Wellington. https://www.genomics-aotearoa.org.nz/education/dr-wilda-laux-teacher-workshops

Info

  1. Pedagogy:
  2. Student opportunities:
  3.  Podcasts:

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
    • Regional forestry data factsheets will be great for AHS 1.2 Place & Purpose and 2.9 Land use [Suzy Newman] https://www.canopy.govt.nz/forestry-data-research/
    • Useful videos: All About Seeds, Rachel’s Farm, Clarkson’s farm, Private life of cows/chickens/ plants (all these on YouTube); Kiss the Ground (Netflix); Six Inches of Soil (Amazon);
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
  7.  Science:
  8. A science book you or your students might like to read
    • Impact!, Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World by Elizabeth Rusch starts with the story of a meteor that exploded near Chelyabinsk in 2013 then explores how meteors are found, tracked and their impact craters analysed & the scientists involved.

Can you help?

  1. NZIP is asking Physics teachers to take a few minutes to complete a survey to gauge PLD needs.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Science Learning Hub
    • Webinar on Drawing for Thinking with Andrew James 11 March, 4-4:45pm. Draw to generate & communicate ideas, plan, take notes, make connections between concepts …
    • With NZASE, Puna Aronui is a 4 week PLD program developing understanding of inclusive science education for all sectors. 17 Mar – 14 Apr. Find out more here. Register by 12 March
  2. Learning Network NZ, Cnr Universal/Soljan Drives, Henderson, Auckland
  3. NZASE is offering primary teachers PLD through Science Alive from term 2, free workshops around the country. Info will be posted on https://nzase.org.nz/nzase-network-expertise/
  4. New webinars from The Education Hub ($60/year or $10/webinar):
    • Understanding the relationship between a secure cultural identity and school engagement with Dr Tania Cliffe-Tautari. Tues 18 Mar 7:30pm. Link here.
  5. NEX funding has allowed NZIP to employ 2 lead facilitators: Brenda MacKechnie (North Island) and Sue Napier (South Island). They will assist regional facilitators to organise workshops, communicate with teachers, produce newsletters & help with Physikos 2025 Conference. pldsupport@nzip.org.nz

Technician

  1. Recommended leaves for leaf tear and leaf cross section: Tradescantia, spinach, Agapanthus

Vacancies

  1. Work at Scott Base starting Sep 2025 for 6 months or 13 months. Info here.

Cheers, Mike

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