1 Jan	International year of millets. Info from FAO
22 Jan	Chinese New Year begins (year of the rabbit) https://chinesenewyear.net/
31 Jan	World leprosy day (last Sun Jan). Link here
1-28 Feb	Bike-Ready month http://www.bikeready.govt.nz/schools
1-28 Feb	Heart Awareness Month www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women
2 Feb	World Wetlands Day DoC’s wetland page Wetland Trust
4 Feb	World Cancer Day https://www.worldcancerday.org/
7 Feb	National Periodic Table day http://www.periodictableday.org/
11 Feb	International Day of Women and Girls in Science http://bit.ly/UNESCO2Rp0zpr
12 Feb	International Charles Darwin Day www.darwinday.org/index.php
Moon	1Q Jan 29      FM Feb 6      3Q Feb 14      NM Feb 20

1. Sea week:
   • From the Rivers to the Sea, Ngā Kōrero – The Way Forward is a free webinar series. Experts in marine science and mātauranga Māori share the discoveries and progress being made in marine protection as well as increasing awareness of opportunities for action. [HoS]
2. A calendar of science events that may be relevant to your teaching: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dates-for-2023.doc
3. The link for nominations for the Peter Spratt award is now live https://www.scicon.org.nz/home/peter-spratt-medal

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • Science Alive Mātauranga has new modules on photosynthesis, bioluminescence, estuaries, limestone, glaciers, air quality, soil and heat transfer. Lessons here. Sign up for free here.
2. Pedagogy:
   • Activities for day 1: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ideas-to-start-the-year.docx
3. Professional reading/watching:
   • Research from NZCER on teachers working in innovative learning environments.
4. Student opportunities:
   • Massey Uni, Albany is offering a free student workshop designed to line up with Chem AS 91164/91165 at L2 & AS 91388/91391 at L3 on their Ak campus. Students will have the chance to take their own spectra in a forensic science context. 6-29 Jun, 9:30am or 2pm start for 3h. Teachers book here. Queries to Debbie at D.K.Jordan@massey.ac.nz
   • Keep NZ Beautiful runs a Young Reporters for the Environment Programme. For students 11years + to develop a passion for environmental journalism through writing, photography or film. Registrations in before 31Jan will go in the draw to win a Google Nest Hub!
   • UoC astronomy school runs from 16-21 April for yr 13 students interested in studying Physics or Astro at uni. Transport, accommodation, meals, materials all provided free. Apply by March 3. https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/outreach/events/astronomy-school/
   • Riley & Steve from Young Ocean Explorers will be in Wgtn, Chch & Ak this term. Book an interactive hour-long session this term by contacting info@youngoceanexplorers.com
5. Teacher Opportunities:
   • Applications for the Science Teaching Leadership Programme starting term 3 2023, close 20 Feb https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/funds-and-opportunities/science-teaching-leadership-programme/apply-for-the-science-teaching-leadership-programme/
   • ESS trip for teachers to Tasmania 24 Sep – 2 Oct 2023 https://www.facebook.com/events/440907498244067
   • If you want to present at SciCon you need to submit a proposal before 20 Feb. https://www.scicon.org.nz
6. Electronics:
   • Gecko is a suite of tools https://gecko3.azurewebsites.net/AssignmentPresenter/
   • Getting started guides https://learn.browndoggadgets.com/c/Getting_Started_With_Electronics

Resources

1. Biology:
   • An environmental game about surviving on the rocky shore https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/otago0236618.pdf
   • A citizen science project in the context of fermentation https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3151-wild-sourdough
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • FMG Report on the future of farming in NZ
   • A video about the impact of dairy farming on freshwater on the Canterbury Plains – views of farmers and Ngai Tahu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_mrSrvlFlQ&t=195s
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • An equinox & solstice quiz https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/equinox-solstice-quiz.htm
   • Practical activities exploring CO₂ in the ocean https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/carbon-dioxide-at-sea/
   • Magma Drillers Game from UoC: video of teacher using it. Access game here.
4.  Chemistry:
   • Infographics on the chemistry of bones, rocket fuels, pH scale, & the use of arrows in chem
   • Activities where students extract essential oils in minutes then conduct distillation expts to learn about the effect of polarity on solubility & testing for unsaturated C-C bonds.
5. Physics:
   • Use old bicycle parts to create art installations and demonstrate energy conversions https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2022/energy-conversions-bicycles-upcycling/
   • Activities to learn about electro-magnetic induction https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/faradays-law-induction-classroom-kitchen/
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Resources about water https://www.waterforlife.org.nz/kids-stuff
   • Bug of the year competition https://bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/
7.  Science:
   • Build a tower of ice with very cold water https://www.snexplores.org/article/experiment-build-ice-towers-bottled-water-and-ice
   • Science Learning Hub resources on the science of floating and sinking
8. Education for Sustainability (EfS):
   • A predator control calendar https://predatorfreenz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PFNZ_Predator_control_calendar.pdf
   • Waikato Regional Council and Science Learning Hub have developed an EfS resource for teachers. Download it here.
9.  STEM:
   • Build a smart lamp with this creative project that combines physics, programming, art and design. https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2022/design-build-smart-lamp/
   • Using movies for STEM ideas http://dailystem.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Super-STEM-Movies-vol-2.pdf
10. Nature of Science:
    • Unscientific claim to test https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5675674445853128&set=a.237115643042396
    • Some claim liquid chlorophyll can improve skin, help weight loss, prevent cancer, boost energy & support a healthy bowel. https://www.verywellfit.com/health-benefits-liquid-chlorophyll-4686266
11. New NCEA standards
    • Amy Pailthorpe at Lincoln uni has developed a unit for the new S1.2 investigations standard on home heating. Intro here https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Keeping-Heat-in-a-Kiwi-Home-APlu.docx. Sign up for a copy here.

MoE/NZQA

1. MoE has confirmed 4 additional teacher-only days (TOD) in 2023 and 2024 (2/yr). These TODs for both primary & secondary will focus on implementation across The NZ Curriculum refresh, re-design of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and changes to NCEA. Select dates in 2 week periods, the 1^st 24 Ap – 5 May 2023, others to be confirmed. More info https://ncea.education.govt.nz/teacher-only-days

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. The Connecting and growing expertise webinar series will be delivered in early 2023. This a FREE online programme to provide PCTs with a greater understanding of the curriculum refresh and an opportunity to connect with other PCTs and subject experts in their subject areas.
2. For 2023 Ak Uni is offering a new postgraduate paper in STEM learning, Edcuirric 723: STEM Education in Years 0-8. There are 80 scholarships available, which would make the course free!
3. Effective Mentoring Practices for secondary teachers in Aotearoa NZ. Online with 1 face-to-face workshop, 12 weeks, 50 h. PPTA funds course enrolment costs plus travel to the Wgtn workshop.
4. Auckland Schools wanting to take action for biodiversity in 2023 may want to consider contacting the Auckland Council Sustainable Schools Team for support.
5. Free webinars for teachers about using Tinkercad https://autodesk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_riQcxqcLSueKzmwofnCimA/?utm_source=teachernewsletter&utm_medium=email
6. In the Science Learning Hub’s next PLD webinar Rose Hipkins talks with Greta about designing learning pathways using enduring competencies. Th 16 Feb 4-4:45pm. Register here.
7. Please fill in this survey to tell NZASE how you found their PLD in 2022 & what you need this year. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHGlc4mtbkQnfXVSjbOMGpuHanlj9gL4Q1a717CODmFMYENg/viewform?usp=sf_link
8. Stardate Festival is a 3-day astronomy convention 17-19 Feb due to adverse weather. Program here https://stonehenge-aotearoa.nz/downloads/Stardate%202023%20Programme%20final.pdf
9. Ben Kennedy from Canterbury uni offers 2 free online courses on volcanoes, one and two.  Lots of activities, videos, animations, fieldtrips and 360 and 3D landscapes to explore. Enrolment closes on Monday, but if you click on enrol, before Monday you will have access to the archived course anyway.

Cheers, Mike

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