| 11 Dec | International Mountains day www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp |
| 14 Dec | Peak Geminid meteor shower 3am http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers |
| 21 Dec | Summer Solstice NZ http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set |
| Moon | 1Q 11 Dec FM 19 Dec 3Q 27 Dec |
Info
- Mātauranga Māori
- A website where teachers can share mātauranga Māori resources they have made https://eng.mataurangamaori.tki.org.nz/Teacher-resource-exchange/(curriculum_area)/124
- NY Times article about what western society can learn from indigenous communities https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/opinion/indigenous-maori-new-zealand-environment.html
- Professional reading/watching:
- Rose Hipkins’s new book on Teaching for Complex Systems is available https://www.nzcer.org.nz/node/61692
- Student opportunities:
- STEM opportunity at Yale (online 2022) https://globalscholars.yale.edu/sciencenews
- Chat live with marine biologists in Antarctica 11 Dec, 7am NZT with a focus on how scientists conduct research in the coldest ocean water on the planet.
Resources
- Biology:
- An interesting perspective on cave paintings https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=331931918551437&set=pcb.506009177415167
- DNA extraction PowerPoint, instructions and overview https://www.yourgenome.org/activities/extracting-dna-from-fruit
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- LEARNZ field trip: seaweed aquaculture https://www.learnz.org.nz/seaweedaquaculture211
- Earth & Space Science:
- To model the seasons buy Styrofoam balls & use a rubber bands for the equator, a push pin for your town and skewers for the axis and to hold the model. Old fashioned lamps are best but flashlights will also work for the sun. [Maureen Powell]
- LEARNZ field trip: Iceland https://www.learnz.org.nz/naturalhazards183
- NZ Geographic video on tsunami https://www.nzgeo.com/video/mega-disaster-tsunami/
- Chemistry:
- Folic acid & why it’s important in pregnancy https://www.compoundchem.com/2021/09/21/folic-acid/
- If you still have juniors learning from home Chem Ed Exchange is a great source of virtual lessons, activities, practicals … https://www.chemedx.org/page/activity
- Activity: how big is a mole? https://www.amybrownscience.com/2014/03/chemistry-lab-how-big-is-mole.html
- Physics:
- Three modes of heat transfer (turn the sound off – it will drive you crazy!) https://www.teachengineering.org/populartopics/heattransfer
- Electromagnetic spectrum learning tool (move the white bar). https://applets.kcvs.ca/ElectromagneticSpectrum/electromagneticSpectrum.html
- Make your own light bulb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7NaDyTDm3c and investigate the effect of longer, thicker and different materials
- Primary & intermediate:
- Activities on the sun http://solar-center.stanford.edu/webcast/wcpdf/sun%26stars2-4.pdf
- An article on how plastic gets into the soil and its effect on the health and growth of plants and animals living there. And related investigations.
- Science
- BP Challenges are great end-of-year activities http://www.starters.co.nz/bpchallenge-index.html
- EfS:
- Carbon Travels game http://globecarboncycle.unh.edu/DownloadActivities/Intro/CarbonTravelsGame.zip
- 3 NZ Carbon footprint calculators https://www.nrc.govt.nz/environment/climate-change/what-can-you-do/calculate-your-carbon-footprint/
- STEM:
- A STEM Advent calendar – full of self-paced support including CPD tasters, engaging resources, and festive enrichment activities to inspire your teaching throughout December. https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/505404/secondary-stem-advent-calendar
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- Learning Network NZ PLD
- Complex behaviour: simple interventions. Kathryn Berkett, 2 Feb 9-3. $340.
- All are now invited to Steve Spangler’s live PLD for Kesler Science Members! Join the LIVE Zoom workshop on Tues 7 Dec, 7 pm ET (1pm Dec 8 NZT) for demos, lesson ideas, and STEM challenges centered around the holidays.
Vacancies
- Otago museum is looking for a Science Communicator and a Science Engagement Coordinator – apply by 13 Dec. And an Education Presenter – apply by Dec 8. https://www.otagomuseum.nz/about/work/
Wishing you a restful break and a happy Christmas. I’ll see you late January 2022.
Cheers, Mike
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