1-30 Sep	Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz
1-30 Sep	Asthma Awareness Month http://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/
22-28 Sep	Chinese language week https://www.nzclw.com/
23 Sep	Spring Equinox NZ http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set
27 Sep	NZQA Biology Best Practice workshop at Macleans College, Ak.  Book a place.
28Sep 1928	Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin. https://www.famousscientists.org/alexander-fleming/
29 Sep	World Rivers day http://worldriversday.com/
29Sep-5Oct	Tuvalu Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
1-31 Oct	Health Literacy month www.healthliteracymonth.org/
1-31 Oct	Save Kiwi month www.kiwisforkiwi.org/save-kiwi-week/schools
4-10 Oct	World Space week www.worldspaceweek.org/
5 Oct	World Teachers day www.worldteachersday.org
6-12 Oct	Fiji language week www.mpia.govt.nz
7 Oct	World Habitat Day https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/
Moon	NM Sep 29      1Q Oct 6      FM Oct 14      3Q Oct 22

1. Some Royal Society events
   • Café Scientifique: Staying alive – Dr Martin Bader talks about a kauri tree stump that keeps itself alive within a shrouded forest in the Waitakere Ranges, by holding onto the roots of neighbouring kauri trees. Horse & Trap, Mt Eden, Auckland 6:30 – 7:30 pm Wed 25 Sep https://royalsociety.org.nz/events/cafe-scientifique-stayin-alive-physiological-coupling-of-a-living-leafless-kauri-stump-to-intact-neighbours/
   • Café Scientifique: Before they croaked it – Luke Easton discusses recent findings of NZ’s extinct frogs; why they were unique and what their discovery has meant for the species of Leiopelma that cling to survival today. Function room – the Arborist, 166 Willis Street, Wellington, 5:30 – 7 pm Mon 7 Oct https://royalsociety.org.nz/events/cafe-scientifique-before-they-croaked-it-a-showcase-of-new-zealands-extinct-frogs/
   • Marsden Fun Series: Lisa Matisoo-Smith talks about her work using DNA to map human migration to understand the genetic history of the modern population of NZ. Ūkaipō Rangitāne Cultural Centre 1 Fell St, Grovetown, Blenheim, 6-7:30pm Thu 10 Oct https://royalsociety.org.nz/events/25-years-of-using-dna-to-trace-pacific-origins-and-migrations-blenheim/

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • An article about developing EOTC activities you currently do so that they are rich opportunities for learning, connected across the curriculum and based on ākonga strengths, needs, identities and aspirations. http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2019/07/inside-out-learning.html
   • An educators guide for using the movie Moana http://cdnvideo.dolimg.com/cdn_assets/a7b26e6f718f14ac7d37f86bf47770804a4b2daa.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1IrCaf6iVkVOKMOqvd-onW-wqx2hhPY1w8ESaJ1xnbLIO1fRrZexpptsE

2. Powering Potential is an opportunity for L2 or L3 students achieving well and aiming for science at uni. They can apply to be part of an event 16-18 Dec where students work in teams of 5 to research a science issue submitted by a scientist (who mentors the team). https://royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/funds-and-opportunities/powering-potential/

Resources

1. Geology:
   • Environmental evaluation asks students to use the 4 spheres (atmo-, hydro-, litho-, bio-) to evaluate an area. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/188_Environment_evaluation.pdf

2. Biology:
   • Dating Game – a human evolution Rachel Heeney: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/dating-game-hominins.pdf
   • Biological Sciences Review is a British magazine some bio teachers find useful https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/biologicalsciencesreview

3. AgHort:
   • An investigation into compost. https://www.calacademy.org/educators/lesson-plans/compost-a-scientific-investigation

4. Astronomy:
   • Te Papa article on Nights in the Maramataka – the Māori lunar month https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/matariki-maori-new-year/maramataka/nights-maramataka
   • Printable Lunar topography maps with labels https://ngawhetu.nz/index.php/right-now-main/current-moon?fbclid=IwAR1Xe9AplsZ-wd6gDcg0FfNy1madB5Sp8Qlxh8EFOX7pe-LrHs9af_UDdpg

5. Chemistry:
   • Resource from Ed in Chem – Closing the word gap in chemistry– Help your students grasp chemical concepts by unscrambling chemistry specific terminology.  Ian Torrie

6. Physics:
   • Bending laser light in a tank of water https://melscience.com/US-en/articles/bending-light/?utm_source=FBpost_en&utm_medium=BendingLightArticle_en

7. Science:
   • Ten YouTube videos explaining the weather. https://bit.ly/2LntxBE
   • University research summarised for our students https://www.victoria.ac.nz/science/outreach/resources

8. Revision
   • As learners are preparing for exams, use a post-box strategy to find out their strengths & learning needs – having to explain to some-one else is a great test of knowledge. Do a continuum of knowledge of a concept, then fold the line, so those who understand it are teaching others. Or a doughnut strategy – divide the class in half, form 2 concentric circles facing each other, ask a question for the learners on the inside to answer to the best of their ability, then discuss with partner. Outside circle move around 1x to the left. Repeat. Any consistent misunderstandings are clarified by the end. Secondary Literacy.

Professional Learning and Development

1. An Auckland Library is holding a biology-related activity and talk on Sep 30 as part of their school holiday programme, geared towards primary & intermediate children. Grey Lynn Library, 474 Great North Rd. Secrets of the Plant Hunters starts at 10:30 am.

2. Science Education Research symposium 30 Sep, AUT, Wellesley St, Auckland. Focus is Post-Normal Science Education – What should be the aims of a future-oriented science education system? What kinds of knowledge, dispositions, capabilities or competencies should it aim to develop? Very important to read the papers sent to you as the meeting will be largely discussion. Register here by Mon 23 Sep ideally or Tues morning latest.

3. Waikato Science Teachers Association & SciPAD are sponsoring a term 4 Biology moderation workshop, focusing on 91604 Homeostasis, 91607 Biotech as well as L1, L2 & L3 prac investigations: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Waikato-Biology-workshop-2019.pdf

Cheers, Mike