26Sep-2 Oct | Chinese language week https://www.nzclw.com/ |
26Sep-2 Oct | Tuvalu Language week www.mpia.govt.nz |
28Sep1928 | Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin. Link here. |
30 Sep | STILE Education online conference, $330 AUD 12-6 pm NZT. Info and Registration. |
1-31 Oct | Health Literacy month www.healthliteracymonth.org/ |
1-31 Oct | Save Kiwi month www.kiwisforkiwi.org/save-kiwi-week/schools |
1-31 Oct | Breast Cancer Awareness month (Pink Ribbon) www.nzbcf.org.nz |
3 Oct | Tauranga STEMfest 2021 https://www.facebook.com/stemfestnz |
3-9 Oct | Fijian language week www.mpia.govt.nz |
4 Oct | World Habitat Day https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/ |
4-10 Oct | World Space week www.worldspaceweek.org/ |
5/30 Oct | World/NZ Teachers day www.worldteachersday.org |
10 Oct | Deadline to register for Chemistry International Olympiad |
10-15 Oct | International Wetlands conference exploring traditional knowledge |
10-16 Oct | Earth Sciences week (USA) http://www.earthsciweek.org/about-esw |
Moon | 3Q 29 Sep NM 7 Oct 1Q 13 Oct FM 21 Oct |
- Resources for Fijian Language week: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Common-Fiji-Phrases-2p.docx
- The PM’s Science Teacher Prize is awarded for those whose high-quality pedagogical approach has been shown to improve student outcomes, and who are involved in science in their community. The PM’s Future Scientist Prize is awarded to a Year 12 or 13 akonga for outstanding achievement in a practical and innovative science research, maths, technology or engineering project. Both are worth $50,000, and the deadline is 25 October. Few applications have been received. Is there someone you know who deserves a nomination?
- Science events in Bay of Plenty during the holidays: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BoP-Holiday-STEM-Activities.docx
- Technicians: NZEI is holding paid union meetings for support staff members this week – online. Schedule.
Info
- Mātauranga Māori
- A plants unit developed & trialled by Helen Mora (Linwood College) & Sarah Tolbert (UoC) incorporating Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Whakapapa & Māramataka. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C4_exFKg7I5skrUFdV4w30AzC7PTbh7pqz9I3XSLTcw/edit?usp=sharing
- Free Atua posters https://www.sanctuary.maori.nz/courses/atua-poster-giveaway
- Student opportunities:
- NZ Chemistry Olympiad selection exam (on Education Perfect) is now 19 – 21 Oct (you find best time for your students). Registrations will now remain open until 10 Oct.
- Salters’ Institute Festivals of Chemistry are 1-day face-to-face events for students at their local UK uni. This year 6 regional festivals can be freely accessed on-line – events, tours, pre-recorded expts, interactive shows. Request to register your school . [Ian T]
- Digital support:
- Video of the zoom about education outside the classroom at alert L2 (recorded 13 Sep) https://www.eonz.org.nz/eotc-learning-from-home/
Resources
- Biology:
- An series of readings about the sense of touch https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/lets-learn-about-touch
- Issues about teaching SA:V in biology. https://cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiology/post/teaching-sa-v-in-biology-where-many-explanations-fall-short
- Earth & Space Science:
- Engineering activities protecting spacecraft from heat and making an edible rover from lollies & biscuits.
- A 40 min video on fronts and eddies – the weather of the ocean. [thanks to John Smith] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJF_EKTDqiI (scroll down for more on oceans)
- Using sediment cores as evidence of past earthquakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5jjzKDxY9g
- Chemistry:
- A collection of tools for teaching about oil, gas, and other energy sources – activities, experiments, and presentations. Energy4Me online
- Salters Institute Chemistry is now a free online interactive learning platform for 11–14-year-olds. Teachers register the school here and then students can register with a school e-mail address which has to be verified by a teacher. [Ian Torrie[
- Physics:
- A video about engineers engaging with different types of waves as they design & build https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oresLRDCcKI
- Lesson on echolocation plus activity plus worksheet from Teach Engineering
- Primary & intermediate:
- An experiment on buoyancy/density using tomato sauce sachets. A freebie from TpT. Need to join to access.
- Make stomp rockets at home! https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Stomp-Rockets
- Science of COVID:
- For the Cook Islands, the Pacific Science for Health Literacy team have made a Covid-19 vaccination student pamphlet and supporting online teacher resources. https://www.lenscience.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/teaching-and-learning-resources/covid-19.html
- EfS:
- UK’s science museum has some great climate change resources https://learning.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/resources/carbon-cycle-caper/
- Carbon Cycle simulation game – students take on the role of a carbon atom and move to different stations placed around the classroom. Rolling dice ensures each student takes a different route. From this they can draw their own carbon cycle diagram – and lesson plan. (Join education arm of RSC to access)
- Science
- House of Science at home videos – 12 short, easy-to-follow experiments students can do at home https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt3YIDxES7u3niLc9f7mJOQ
- An article about a reversible fabric that can keep you warm or cool you down https://education.australiascience.tv/reversible-fabric-keeps-you-warm-or-cool-on-demand
Professional Learning and Development
- CORE education is developing PLD for those aspiring to principal/tumuaki positions. They are asking for ideas from middle leaders in primary, intermediate or secondary schools to help plan the program. Go to this google doc.
- Link for last week’s panel discussion with those trialing the new science standards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg4CAHetyAs
- MoE offers regionally-allocated PLD for free. You decide the focus, back it up with some evidence and apply online. The next deadline for these applications is 29 Oct. Once MoE has agreed, you select the PLD facilitator. https://pld.education.govt.nz/.
- Our subject associations are preparing to deliver PLD next year on the new standards. And for this they need a contact for each science department. This is very hard to find if HOD contact details are not on your school’s website. Please forward the HoDs name and email address to these folk for this purpose: Donna at nzase@xtra.co.nz. If you have Agriculture or Horticulture teachers send it to Kerry at k.allen@stpauls.school.nz for HATA. Allan at admin@beanz.org.nz
Cheers, Mike
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