1-31 Mar	Melanoma March www.melanoma.org.nz/news-events/recent-news
1-31 Mar	Hearing Awareness Month https://www.nfd.org.nz/hearing-awareness-month2020
1-31 Mar	Whio Awareness month https://www.doc.govt.nz/whioforever
4-12 Mar	Sea week http://seaweek.org.nz/
8-11 Mar	Ak ASB Polyfest www.asbpolyfest.co.nz
9 Mar	World Kidney Day www.kidneys.co.nz
10 Mar	Deadline to apply for Otago Participatory Science Platform funding.
13-19 Mar	Brain Awareness Week www.neurological.org.nz
14 Mar	Pi Day https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/nasapidaychallenge (+ Einstein born, Hawking died)
14 Mar	Early bird prices for SciCon close
15 Mar	Talk on the effect of climate change on our agriculture. 4-5:30pm, Lincoln uni.
15 Mar	Applications close Innovative Young Minds online program. https://iym.org.nz/
16 Mar	Hivemind PLD with Science in a Van and Science Learning Hub, 4-4:45pm
Moon	FM Mar 8      3Q Mar 15      NM Mar 22      1Q 29 Mar

1. Sea week:
   • a calendar of Seaweek events in Canterbury
   • Seaweek seminar at Cawthron Inst in Nelson
   • reading list for students https://www.thesapling.co.nz/book-list-books-for-sea-week/
2. Practising NZ Biology teachers can apply for a BEANZ Research scholarship to conduct research into a relevant, current aspect of Biology of national benefit to Yr 7-13 Biology teachers.
3. EcoFest in Auckland 18 Mar-16 Apr has events, activities, workshops … https://www.ecofest.org.nz/
4. Stile Education suggestions for science on International Women’s Day 8 March – Women in STEM

Info

1. Professional reading/watching:
   • Carly Fiorina’s problem-solving guide for leaders https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/problem-solving-guide-carly-fiorina
2. Student opportunities:
   • Papa Taiao courses with places for students
     • beekeeping short courses are open for enrolments, at Wellington and Tākaka.
     • Long courses (term 1 – term 3) include quals in trapping, pest plant management, aquaculture, beekeeping, horticulture …, linking practical skills with sustainable thinking and project development. Based in Porirua, Wellington and the West coast.
   • Alison Campbell is running an online session for Schol Bio students fortnightly, next Th 16 March at 7pm. https://waikato.zoom.us/j/86148876542
3. Auckland Council is planning to cut funding to environmental education & COMET (which disseminates participatory science funds). See this Stuff article. Find out how to have your say.
4. Correction: Applications for IYM residential program close 15 April

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A simple demo of osmosis https://www.sunlive.co.nz/blogs/17208-ocean-osmosis.html
   • Lecture by Nobel laureate Svante Pääbo on The Archaic Impact on Modern Human Evolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLKF4j8pQ5U
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Whau River Catchment Trust offers a chat service on their website to provide advice on native plants, 9am-5pm, (after hours just leave your contact details). https://www.whauriver.org.nz/
   • Gardening after a flood https://thisnzlife.co.nz/gardening-after-flooding-kate-wall-shares-how-to-restore-your-soil-and-save-stressed-trees/
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • March Night sky: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/March-Night-Sky.docx
   • A global map of wind, weather & ocean conditions https://classic.nullschool.net/
   • Scientists from Woodshole Inst speak about hydrothermal vents https://www.whoi.edu/multimedia/oe-hydrothermal-vents/
4.  Chemistry:
   • Tips for new teachers on practicals https://edu.rsc.org/feature/nail-every-practical-lesson/4016563.article
   • 3D models: In Word, click Insert 3D models then select Chemistry on the topic tabs. The 3D shapes can be rotated on screen once inserted. [Kim Seaward]
5. Physics:
   • Students use craft sticks and rubber bands to design a catapult to see how far they can launch a “Skittle” across the room! https://www.teachengineering.org/sprinkles/view/cub_catapult#
   • Using Star Wars to introduce accelerator science https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/the-physics-of-star-wars/
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Sustainability activities for 9-11 year-olds https://www.york.ac.uk/ciec/resources/primary/sustainability/
   • Build a rubber band car and adapt the design to make it go as far as possible https://pstt.org.uk/application/files/3215/2717/3119/Why_and_How_Challenge_Spring_2018.pdf
7.  Science:
   • Talks on forensic science for kids https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures

MoE/NZQA

1. This document from the Curriculum refresh website may interest those who have had issues with assigning student achievement to curriculum levels. It may be useful to read Harlen (2015)
2. National Moderator’s Reports for 2022, providing feedback to assessors, have recently been published for Bio, Chem, ESS, Phys. However, AgHort, Science were not there when last checked.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Holistic Science Education for Increasing Student Engagement: Barbara Cook, Th 27 April 3-4:40pm online
2. NZ Association for Environmental Education offers free webinar for Secondary teachers on Sustainability and Regeneration, Tues 7 March, 4-5:30pm. Register here.
3. Interactive hands-on workshop, free to all NZ chemistry teachersConnecting Chemistry Teaching to Sustainable development-oriented Critical Challenges through Systems Thinking. By Dr Seamus Delaney. Wgtn 18 Apr, Chch 20 Apr, Ak 21 Apr, 9:00 am – 2:30pm. Ch Sustainability workshop Flyer:

Cheers, Mike

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