26 Aug	SCENZ Chemistry Cluster meeting, 1-4pm, Morrinsville College. Register here
27 Aug	Daffodil Day in support of the Cancer Society www.daffodilday.org.nz/
29 Aug	International Day Against Nuclear tests www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/
30 Aug	Earnest Rutherford was born 150 years ago  today http://www.rutherford.org.nz/
31 Aug	Deadline to apply for The Gifted Learners Awards for learners from ECE to yr 13
1 Sep	NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day https://rak.co.nz/
1-30 Sep	Save our Sight Month www.nzao.co.nz
1-30 Sep	Asthma Awareness Month http://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/
3 Sep	Deadline to register for TRCC primary teachers conference 2 Oct.
4-12 Sep	Conservation Week https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/
5 Sep	Tsunami warning siren test at the beginning of daylight savings (1st Sun in Sep)
5-11 Sep	Tongan Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
Moon	FM 23 Aug 3Q 30 Aug NM 7 Sep 1Q 14 Sep

1. Resources for Conservation Week starting 4 Sep:
   • Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
   • Science Learning Hub
   • Department of Conservation
   • Porirua Harbour Trust
2. ASTA and NZAEE are hoping to run an expo of Outside the Classroom Science Providers for all levels, ECE to Secondary, 16 Sep, at UoA Epsom Campus from 3:30 – 6 p.m (afternoon tea at 3:30, expo starts at 4:00). Put it in your diary. Booking info soon.
3. Some useful phrases attached for Tongan Language week starting 5 Sep: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Common-phrases-Tongan.docx
4. Digital support during lockdown:
   • sciPAD Online is FREE for all Yr 9-11 students. Content, games, videos, quizzes. Go to https://scipad.co.nz/the-range/ click on the book, then LOOK INSIDE.
   • Science Learning Hub (SLH) has a page of grab and go resources along with a list of home learning TV science programs with Shawn Cooper (on the same page)
   • Ask SLH to put together for you a collection of their resources on a topic you’re struggling with https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2762-creating-collections
   • BioZone is offering its digital eBook LITE free for 90 days. It includes Model Answers so students can self-check. To accept the offer email sales@biozone.co.nz 

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • Greater Wellington resource on mātauranga of Wairarapa hapu
   • Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai series of 12 ten-min videos captures the stories of traditional food gathering practices including rongoā. https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/culture/mahinga-kai/
2. Pedagogy:
   • LabXchange at Harvard University is a free online platform for science education designed to support differentiated, personalised learning.
3. Student opportunities:
   • Alison Campbell’s other Schol Bio workshops: Tauranga/Rotorua Sep 18 (Richard Hendra), Auckland Sep 25 (Shane Williamson), Manawatu/Horowhenua (30 Sep? tbc Heather Meikle). And one will be rescheduled for Hawkes Bay. Bring 2020 paper.
   • Otago uni runs a science outreach program for students in yr 13. Students in yr 12 who have a real passion for science & the potential to excel academically are invited to apply for the 2022 intake (w an HoD nomination).

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A short video on phytoplankton https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148661/feeding-the-sea?
   • Video: Mutation, science of survival – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7doHcq1YfE
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • EasyGrow units from Aquaculture Services Ltd are small-scale fish farm/aquaponics tanks suitable for use in schools (see brochure). Full technical support provided. To talk through the possibilities contact David Cooper aquarium@xtra.co.nz
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Teaching activities on scientific visualizations, remote sensing, and the electromagnetic spectrum https://www.earthsciweek.org/visualizations
   • Ocean observers https://www.oceanobservers.org/
   • Electronic map-based resources are the focus of GSL’s Plate Tectonics page
4. Chemistry:
   • Video of the chemistry of soaps and detergents (surfactants) and an article.
   • RSC practical extracting iron from iron ore on a matchhead. https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/extraction-of-iron-on-a-match-head/722.article
5. Physics:
   • Physics demos on evaporation, boiling, freezing fb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvQBlRXQtWc
   • Jonathan Jaffrey’s Schol Physics solutions 2012-2020 fb https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YeJ20kU1BTKRXLdEgxjuXD5h_NQhHv-H
6. Science of COVID:
   • As your students will be hearing much about COVID at present, check that they understand all the terms with this resource from Science Learning Hub.
   • SLH article about Florence Nightingale shows how our understanding of infection changed over time.
7.  EfS:
   • NIWA resources on climate change: the science, NZ projections, tips and options for action, how we monitor climate; effects on oceans, agriculture, climate and Antarctica
8.  Science
   • Creatures from Marianas Trench – extremophiles https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/10-weird-creatures-from-mariana-trench.htm

MoE/NZQA

1. If you are thinking about signing up for the 2022 pilots you may find these short videos useful (none on science yet) – Whakatane HS (English), Awatapu C (art), Garin C (Religious studies).

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Reminder to register for Primary Science Teaching Conference by 3 Sep. $40. Ak Uni 2 Oct.

Cheers, Mike

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