6-30 Nov	NZQA exams
8 Nov	Stargazing 101, astronomy for beginners, Carter observatory, Wellington. $40
8 Nov	National STEM/STEAM day US website
9 Nov	Hive Mind, free online PLD 4-4:45 pm for years 1-10. Register here.
9 Nov	Geology lecture by prof Michael Petterson, 4:30–7:30 pm, WA224A & B. Register here.
9 Nov	BEANZ workshop, Ak, Landcare Research, 231 Morrin Rd, 9:30-3:30. Register here
10 Nov	BEANZ workshop, Wgtn, Chilton St James Sch, Waterloo Rd, 9am-3pm. Register Here
10 Nov	World science day https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day
11 Nov	Earth Fest 9 am – 3 pm, Walter Nash Centre, 22 Taine St, Taita, Lower Hutt.
12 Nov	Diwali https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/new-zealand/diwali
13 Nov	BEANZ workshop, Hokitika, Westland HS, Hampden St. 10am-3pm. Register here.
14 Nov	World Diabetes day https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/theme/
16 Nov	BEANZ workshop, Inglewood HS, 129 Rata St. 10am-3pm. Register with Sarah.
17 Nov	Peak of Leonid meteor shower 4 am http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
17 Nov	Chemistry Teachers Day at Ak uni. Free. Info and registration here.
18 Nov	International day of LGBT people in STEM. https://prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/
18-24 Nov	Antibiotic Resistance week www.who.int/campaigns/world-antibiotic-awareness-week/en/
Moon	NM Nov 13      1Q Nov 20      FM Nov 27      3Q Dec 5

1. NCEA L3 AgHort webinar for 91532 Analyse a NZ Primary Production environmental issue Fri 10 Nov at 4:30 pm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyGzkKgldi0
2. EarthFest public field trip exploring the geology of Wellington Sun 12 Nov. Info here https://earthfest.nz/field-trip
3. Genetics Otago is hosting a hands-on workshop for local science teachers on their latest outreach module: Rare Genetic Disease. Tues 14 Nov, 1-3pm at Otago Uni. Sign up here.
4. Kate Roud talks at Te Papa about adapting the Botanic Gardens for climate change on Th 23 Nov 11am-12:30pm. $30
5. The Great Southern Bioblitz takes place across Southern Hemisphere countries 24 – 27 Nov. Register and upload observations to iNaturalist. https://www.greatsouthernbioblitz.org/about-1

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • A Connected article about digitally storing mātauranga about plants & animals in Aotearoa https://instructionalseries.tki.org.nz/Instructional-Series/Connected/Connected-2018-Level-3-Cracking-the-Code/Listening-to-the-Land
   • Science Alive mātauranga has released a new module that focuses on our native birds here. Join this Education Perfect platform for free here.
2.  Pedagogy:
   • How best to use group work in the classroom https://www.tes.com/magazine/tes-explains/what-group-work
3. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • Podcast the Seed Pod explores nature & conservation https://www.theseedpod.co.nz/podcast
   • Podcast about how teachers can use micro: bits – a programmable, pocket sized computer – to support, encourage and inspire children to live their best digital futures. Episode 10 here.
4. Student opportunities:
   • Details of NZ Physics Tournament contested 23 March 2024 here
   • Revision Webinar for L3 AgHort Analyse a NZ primary production environmental issue10 Nov at 4:30pm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyGzkKgldi0
5. Research informed strategies to develop resilience https://twitter.com/ImpactWales/status/1715745863228690738/photo/1
6. DoC’s annual report details some conservation success https://dxcprod.doc.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/corporate-publications/annual-reports-archive/annual-report-for-the-year-ended-30-june-2023/
7. MoE has an initiative to arrange free home internet for any household with a school-age child and no current home internet connection.  MoE will pay for installation and monthly costs through to 30 June 2024, and are working on the solution for beyond. Now whanau can make direct contact through https://edos.kiwi/

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Birds of the Hauraki Gulf posters (including those published for 7 years in NZH for Sea Week) https://gulfjournal.org.nz/?post_type=poster
   • Science Learning Hub’s new resource on RNAi for pest control and te ao Māori considerations https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3253-rnai-te-ao-maori-considerations
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Fresh Facts, about fresh fruit & veges, has published its first issue under new management https://unitedfresh.co.nz/technical-advisory-group/fresh-facts
   • Free screening of Rachel’s Farm 14 Nov 9:15-11:30pm NZDT. Movie plus teaching resources on regenerative farming. Info here
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Guidance for viewing the heavens: The November Night Sky
   • Activities in oceanography https://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/activities/ladochy.html
   • Activity identifying fossil animals https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/425_Picturing_fossils1.pdf
4.  Chemistry:
   • Activity making kimchi from scratch and investigating changes in pH and glucose as it ferments.  ​​​​​​​https://www.snexplores.org/article/experiment-kimchi-chemistry-fermentation
   • Improve your senior learners’ understanding of electronegativity and intermolecular forces https://edu.rsc.org/infographics/teaching-the-bonding-spectrum/4017957.article
5. Physics:
   • PhET  latest simulation prototype, Sound Waves allows students to explore the properties and behavior of sound, adjust properties of the speakers, investigate interference and reflection, and see the effects of a vacuum. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/sound-waves
   • The physics of the curveball – the Magnus effect
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Observe crystallisation while making rock candy https://mommypoppins.com/kids/how-to-make-rock-candy-with-kids
   • DoC activities to learn about 10 native birds – their call, appearance, behaviour https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/system/training-courses/bird-id/index.html#/lessons/sLWsY1tALDVjnz65fpaKBlfTsc14J_s-
7. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • Science Learning Hub’s classroom latest resources focus on themes of interconnectedness between systems and people and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems. Also see Advice for teaching about climate change

Can you Help?

1. Chemistry teachers are invited to take part in an international survey of secondary school chemistry teachers being conducted by the IUPAC Committee on Chem Education. Questions are about practical activities with a sustainability focus. Takes 20-30mins. https://bit.ly/gschemsurvey

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. NiF workshops on L1 NCEA: Kerikeri High School, 24 Nov, 9-3pm. Register here
2. Next Wellington HoDs meeting 15 Nov 1-3pm at St Pats, Kilbirnie.
3. Regional reps in many centres are offering BEANZ workshops for biology teachers (although some are postponing to 2024). 2023 info in the table at the top (+ Dunedin 23 Nov, register here). Contact your regional rep for more info (you’ll find their email in the BEANZ newsletter).
4. NZASE is offering PLD for secondary in term 4 (primary was term 3), with a focus on planning for NCEA. Find out more here. https://nzase.org.nz/nzase-network-expertise/  NZASE is also developing more resources for L1 Science, more info before the end of November.

Cheers, Mike

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