22 Sep	Partial solar eclipse visible from NZ 5:40 – 8:40 am more info
22-23 Sep	ESSE conference Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga. Info here
23 Sep	Spring Equinox NZ https://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set-1
24 Sep	Learning in Action 2025 Conference at ASHS. Info here. Register here
26 Sep	Astrobiology event 10–2 at Air Force Museum. More info here. Register here.
26-27Sep	Exploring Giftedness Conference Chch https://www.exploringgiftedness.org.nz/
27 Sep	World Rivers day http://worldriversday.com/ (4th Sun Sep)
28 Sep	Tsunami warning siren test at the start of daylight savings. Info here
28Sep-4Oct	Tuvalu Language week, Te Gana Tuvalu www.mpia.govt.nz
28 Sep	10am – 4pm STEMfest at 148 Durham St Tauranga
28 Sep	Bird of the year competition closes
1-31 Oct	Health Literacy month
1-31 Oct	Save Kiwi month www.kiwisforkiwi.org/save-kiwi-week/schools
1-31 Oct	Breast Cancer Awareness month www.nzbcf.org.nz (Pink Ribbon)
4 Oct	International Observe the Moon night https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/
4-10 Oct	World Space week www.worldspaceweek.org/
5 Oct	World Teachers day
5-11 Oct	Fijian language week, Vosa VakaViti www.mpia.govt.nz
6 Oct	World Habitat Day https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/
6-12 Oct	Mental Health Awareness Week https://mhaw.nz/
Moon	NM Sep 22        1Q Sep 30        FM Oct 7        3Q Oct 14

1. Tuvalu Language week next week: Classroom phrases Tuvalu

Info

1. Pedagogy:
   • Talk prompts to help progress discussion https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-students-how-have-academic-discussion
2. Professional reading/watching/listening:
   • A paper commissioned by PPTA in response to member concerns about the apparent sidelining of te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori, and the disappearance of Te Mātaiaho https://aecnz.substack.com/api/v1/file/636aee5e-ce26-4baa-8fd1-89e5a51d3f95.pdf
3. Scientists and Science Careers:
   • Comics about significant scientists https://tinyview.com/in-science-we-trust

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Animation of travelling deep inside a redwood leaf https://www.calacademy.org/educators/travel-deep-inside-a-leaf
   • Doug Walker has made Chatbot tutors for L2 and L3 Biology. You should be able to login with a google or Microsoft account.
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Compost poster
   • A new TV series on commercial seafood. Ocean bounty – An Oyster’s Journey 5.30 pm Sat 20 Sep on THREE.
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Steve Soter and Neil de Grasse Tyson discuss Milankovich cycles and climate change https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqzs5VSjObE
   • Using crayon shavings to simulate rock formation https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/crayon-rock-cycle
4. Chemistry:
   • A video and lesson on a super-absorbent polymer https://edu.rsc.org/exhibition-chemistry/make-water-disappear-with-a-superabsorbent-polymer/4021107.article
   • Benny Pan’s L3 chemistry & physics AI app is designed to understand formula, equations, diagram, table and drawing. https://calstudio.com/studio/ScienceStudio
5. Physics:
   • A safe and inexpensive way to teach the principles of radioactivity using potassium carbonate
   • NASA lesson on rockets https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rockets-educator-guide-20.pdf?emrc=5ed244
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Measurement activity: Is your arm span equal to your height? https://www.science-sparks.com/is-your-arm-span-equal-to-your-height/
   • Forest and Bird has a new game, Birdle NZ https://birdle.nz/
7.  Science:
   • Free resources for primary & secondary on Antony van Leeuwenhoek and the first microscope https://mosssafari.com/2025/09/05/free-teaching-resources-for-antonie-van-leeuwenhoek-day
   • A series of case files for a murder investigation https://mommymurdered.com/casefiles

MoE/NZQA

1. This NCEA factsheet covers areas of particular interest and answers some of the common questions that came up in the consultation on NCEA.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science Learning Hub’s PLD with RŪNĀ, a Yachting NZ project, on Moanamana, taking action to protect our oceans. Register here to join this free webinar on Thurs 9 Oct, 4–4:45 pm.
2. CoreEducation is offering a free webinar for mentors of PTs, OTTs, Pia & Pou Tautoko. Mon 20 & Tues 21 Oct, 3:30-4:15 pm. Supporting mentees with understanding diverse learners. Register here.
3. Teachers’ Day Out is a fully funded, hands-on PLD adventure for teachers of the sciences! Explore thriving farms, orchards, and agribusinesses to unlock real-world industry insights and discover the latest in science & tech. 17 Nov Warkworth, 20 Nov Taranaki. Full flyer here Register here

Technicians

1. MnO₂ will release O₂ from H₂O₂ but is very messy to clean up. So, mix 1 part MnO₂ with 3 parts plaster of Paris, then make a paste & roll into pea-sized balls to set (or use a piping bag). This is much easier to clean up & shows that the catalyst isn’t used in the reaction (strain, dry & re-use)

Vacancies

1. Nelson College for Girls is looking for a new Head of Junior Science. 1 MU. This role involves leading their junior programme (1MU) while also teaching a mix of junior and senior classes.

Cheers, Mike

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