Mikes News Nov 3

3 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Taupō. Register here.
4 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Tauranga. Register here.
4-28 Nov	NZQA exams
5 Nov	World Tsunami Awareness Day
5 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Auckland. Register here.
5 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Otago at OBHS. Info here. Register here.
6 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Wairarapa at Solway College. Info here. Register here.
6 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Manawatu at Feilding HS. Info here. Register here.
7 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, South Canterbury at Geraldine HS. Info here. Register here.
7 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Auckland at MAGS. Info here. Register here.
7 Nov	ESS PLD Auckland uni. Sign up here.
8 Nov	National STEM/STEAM day US website
10 Nov	World science day https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day
10 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Queenstown. Register here.
11 Nov	9-3. MWC Biology teacher PLD day, Timaru. Register here
11 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, BoP at Mt Maunganui College. Info here. Register here.
11 Nov	10-2 NZASE PLD looks at 2025 (stds/num/lit) and 2026. Gisborne GHS. Register here
12 Nov	1-4, NZASE PLD reviewing 2025, planning 2026. Taupō-nui-a-Tia College. Register here
14 Nov	Auckland Chemistry teachers PLD day. Register here
14 Nov	World Diabetes day https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/theme/ , helpful infographic
15 Nov	Sow the Seed Regional Hub, Southland at SBHS. Info here. Register here
17 Nov	Peak of Leonid meteor shower 4 a.m. http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
17 Nov	Warkworth Teachers Day out in the Primary Industries. Full flyer here Register here
Moon	FM Nov 6        3Q Nov 12        NM Nov 20        1Q Nov 28

1. Earth Fest 2025 is a STEM festival dedicated to the Earth Sciences & it’s coming to Auckland Sat 22 Nov, 9-3, Fickling Convention Centre. https://earthfest.nz
2. SCENZ AGM via zoom will be Th 27 Nov 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Reports and statements & the 2024 minutes will be sent to members the week before.
3. The Learning Team at the Auckland Art Gallery are hosting an End of Year Teachers’ Disco AAG Friday 21 Nov. $35 til 10 Nov. Info here

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • An article on the 7 stages of Māori summer
2. Article about spotting AI in student work and how to reduce its use https://edu.rsc.org/feature/comparing-ai-generated-and-students-work/4022187.article
3. End of year activity
   • BP Technology challenges make great end of year activities. Some are here. If anyone has a more complete set they are happy to share please get in touch.

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Photosynthesis revision resources [David Chalk] Photosynthesis resources
   • Some videos on Human Evolution from Roy Mathews: tools, brain & language, OOA vs MR models. Other videos of his (including for L1 Science) are found here
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Video about fruit-picking drones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXiYh9b1AeQ
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • The Nov Night Sky
   • Poster about Identifying Igneous rocks
   • An activity using photos to determine the sequence of geological events https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/463_Ardnamurchan.pdf
4.  Chemistry:
   • Practicals exploring the baking soda – acid reaction – the effect of different reactant amounts, finding the best quantities to maximise CO₂ production and minimize cost, scaling up quantities.
   • Practicals investigating the impacts of acid rain. https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_air_lesson06_activity2
5. Physics:
   • Information and activities on magnetism [Sarah Gaze]
   • Bingo games for energy sources https://www.need.org/resources/energy-bingo-games/
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • This NASA activity has learners in grades 3-10 build a solar desalination setup, with an extension for older learners to do calculations on solar irradiance.
7.  Science:
   • A spreadsheet of Bozeman Science Videos with their formative assessments & worksheets [Kyle Niemis]

MoE/NZQA

1. The draft curriculum is found here https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/draft_curriculum_years0to10 Due to be implemented 2027. Feedback here by 27 Apr 2026 [Linda Haycock]. A doc with Screen shots of FB form
2. New guidelines for Education Outside the Classroom came out in Sep.

Can you help?

1. Auckland Science Teachers Association is looking for new committee members to help support science teachers in the region. This voluntary work involves committing to attending 1 online zoom meeting and helping at 1 event each term. Please contact secretary Mike if interested

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Electrotest’s hands-on PLD using PASCO SPARKvue software & sensors to collect, visualize & analyse experimental data in Physics, Chemistry & Biology. No prior PASCO experience required. 18 Nov, 8:30-3:30, Long Bay College, Ak. Info here (this PLD will be at early bird prices)
2. NZIP’s Matt Synge, is interested in running a Physics workshop this term in the Tauranga moana region. If any kaiako from other sciences might be interested in offering a workshop on the same day, it could save on food & transport (if teachers carpool). Please contact info@bayscience.nz if so.
3. Science teacher Benny Pan is offering PLD on using AI in Auckland and Hamilton this term (Wgtn, Chch & Dunedin Apr hols 2026). Details here AI PLD
4. WSTA are running Teaching Science w Confidence PLD for teachers new to NZ. 12 Nov, 1:30-4pm at Waikato Uni. Register here.
5. Workshop by Beef & Lamb on Facial Eczema 4 Nov, 9:30-2 Pirinoa Hall, Martinborough, Wairarapa. Register at https://beeflambnz.com/events/blnz-facial-eczema-workshop Info: Facial Eczema workshop
6. Term 4 PLD  on offer to date

Vacancies

1. Ochre Education is looking for science teachers who are interested in working over the Christmas break & the 1^st half of 2026 (in the first instance) to develop curriculum resources and/or teaching and learning programs for primary and secondary (Australian) science. Send an EoI.
2. Posted on FB:
   • HoD Science, Bream Bay College (Ruakākā, Northland)
   • Whangārei Girls HS – Primary Industries teacher

Cheers, Mike

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

P.S. Over the years I have shared many resources via a shared Google Drive folder. Now I am retired I do not want to pay the rent for the extra storage above 15GB. So I will be deleting this folder Jan 1.