9 Aug	Deadline to apply for NZQA moderator positions
11 Aug	Deadline to give feedback on the proposed L2 & L3 NCEA subjects
18 Aug	Alison Campbell’s Schol Bio workshop 1-4pm at Morrinsville College. Register here.
19 Aug	Science Learning Hub webinar of the science capabilities, 4pm.
27 Aug	Daffodil Day in support of the Cancer Society www.daffodilday.org.nz/
Moon	NM 9 Aug     1Q 16 Aug     FM 23 Aug     3Q 30 Aug

1. NZ International Biology Olympiad registration has been extended until Tues 10 Aug.
2. For those struggling to find all the materials for the new standards: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Finding-the-materials-for-the-new-standards.docx
3. UoA is hosting Engineering a Better World 21 Aug 10am-3pm. The morning session focuses on AI in healthcare whilst the afternoon session is a presentation by Elise Beavis of Emirates Team NZ.  Register here.

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • Matauranga Māori resources with an ecology focus from Priscilla Wehi
   • Mātauraka Mahaanui provides Mātauranga Māori advisors for schools in the greater Christchurch area. E.g. Dianne.Robinson@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
2. Student opportunities:
   • Ak uni’s Women in Engineering Outreach team is available for free presentations, panels and workshops to introduce high school students to the wide range of exciting opportunities in engineering. More info at www.womeninengineering.auckland.ac.nz
   • Registration for the NZ Chemistry Olympiad exam in Sep is now open. Anyone can sit the exam, but the results will also select some students to train for NZ’s 2022 team.
3. Digital support:
   • Carmen Kenton’s blog for the digital savvy teacher https://mypreproom.blogspot.com/2021/07/digital-savvy-teacher.html
4. The NZASE newsletter due out Monday has articles on teaching human evolution and traditional fire-making for members and publicly-available articles on making kawakawa balm and testing water quality as well as a Māori scientist profile. Sign up for the newsletter here https://nzase.org.nz/. Join NZASE here https://nzase.org.nz/membership/

Resources

1. Biology:
   • BBC article: about the effect of heatwaves on the body plus an image of heat exhaustion vs heat stroke. May be useful for homeostasis.
   • This Science article considers heat vests and doping in sport at the Beijing Olympics.
2. Earth & Space Science:
   • An article on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram https://bigthink.com/13-8/understand-hertzsprung-russell-diagram-astrophysics
   • An investigation that models freshwater meeting saltwater in an estuary https://niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/estuaries
   • Shaky Beginnings video on NZ’s origins featuring Jim Hickey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziVMzqobad8
3. Chemistry:
   • Cosmos article on the composition of the Olympic medals https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/chemistry/olympic-medal-composition
   • Compound chem infographic on the composition of the athletic track
4. Physics:
   • This article includes some physics of the hammer throw [Fiona Wolff]
   • An article where students were asked to graph d, v & a after jumping on a trampoline https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6552/aa89cb
5. Primary & intermediate:
   • Weather & climate lessons for intermediate https://niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/teaching-resources/rangi-weather-and-climate-lessons-for-teachers
6. Nature of Science:
   • Citizen scientists are needed to collect data of the intertidal areas of the Hauraki Gulf using MM² method (mark out 1x1m², count organisms, upload data to the MM² website).
   • Last week’s url to Missouri uni’s fat tax resource is broken. The relevant IT person has been notified but is on leave (summer hols). Will remind you of the link when it is sorted.
7. Science of COVID:
   • The Whole Truth about COVID is a series of videos explaining the topics prone to misinformation https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2021/the-whole-truth-covid-19-vaccine/#/
8.  EfS:
   • Climate science competition https://climatescience.prowly.com/147832-10000-global-youth-called-to-compete-for-solutions-at-climatescience-olympiad
   • Practical activity showing the effect of melting ice on sea level.
9. STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths)
   • Launching in term 4, Wonder Project’s Plant Challenge is a free program aimed at year 7-9. Supported by a STEM professional, students design their own farm of the future to reimagine how we grow food sustainably.  https://wonderproject.nz/plant-challenge-info/

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. A free online course for secondary bio teachers to deepen their knowledge on evolution. https://www.biointeractive.org/professional-learning/online-courses/evolution-course
2. Learning Network NZ advises James Anderson’s workshops are now ONLINE:
   11 Aug HABITS OF MIND
   12 Aug LEARNER AGENCY A practical school based approach
3. An ESS workshop will be held at the Planetarium in Napier on Fri 27 Aug, 9 am – 3 pm. And a Schol ESS workshop will be held in Napier, Thurs 26 Aug, also at the Planetarium.
4. Chemistry Cluster meeting with Dr Murray Thompson (SCENZ), 26 Aug, 1-4pm, Morrinsville College Agri-Innovation Centre. Register here: https://forms.gle/okT2ZV8kHEzDaJS29
5. Prepare for conservation week at Predator-Free teacher PD, 1.30-4.30pm Wed 18  Aug, Waipahihi Botanical Gardens Clubrooms, Hyde Ave, Taupo. Register rachel@greeningtaupo.org.nz

Vacancies

1. BIOZONE is looking for a Publishing Editor & a Science Writer. Info & application via Seek or Trade Me. Applications close 20 Aug.

Cheers, Mike

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