1-28 Feb | Bikewise month https://can.org.nz/article/february-is-bikewise-month |
1-28 Feb | Heart Awareness Month www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women |
9 Feb | Safer Internet Day https://www.netsafe.org.nz/safer-internet-day/ |
11 Feb | International Day of Women and Girls in Science http://bit.ly/UNESCO2Rp0zpr |
11 Feb | Science Learning Hub PLD webinar on wetlands. Register here. |
12 Feb | International Charles Darwin Day www.darwinday.org/index.php |
12 Feb | Chinese New Year begins (year of the ox) https://chinesenewyear.net/ |
19 Feb | Deadline to apply for free regionally-allocated PLD https://pld.education.govt.nz/ |
Moon | NM 12 Feb 1Q 20 Feb FM 27 Feb 3Q 6 Mar |
- Nicola Turner is giving talks in Auckland & Tauranga on Living Lightly 8 to 17 Feb – simple changes that can make a difference for our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet. https://events.humanitix.com/organisers/5f20e44e0955210008c0726a
- On Feb 13 Matuku Reserve Trust in West Auckland opens their wetland restoration, with guided walks, talks and a market. More info.
- NZ Science Communicators are holding a National Networking Night Wed 10 Feb, 5:30-8 at various locations https://www.scanz.co.nz/events/2021/february-national-networking-night
- To celebrate women in science a virtual 3-day festival will feature free talks from over 50 women in science, exploration and conservation from across the globe. 12-14 Feb.
Info
- Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
- How to set up your computer so you can write Māori words using macrons:
- The Science Learning Hub has developed resources on te repo (the wetland) in te reo Māori and in English. Don’t forget their PLD on te repo on 11 Feb.
- Pedagogy: ideas for starting the year –
- Some ideas for questions to help you get to know your learners at the start of the year from Edutopia, Teach Thought, George Couros and Fractus Learning
- Ask students to create learner profiles https://www.inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/supporting-maori-students/consider-learner-profiles
- Consider helping students develop a mihi to introduce themselves and help others to make connections and find those things they have in common. It provides an opportunity for students to give their pepeha. Could include photos. Could use digital technologies. Could involve whanau in the preparation.
- Student competitions:
- DoC is running a video competition for youth aged 16-25 to record their ideas on what we can do to ensure Papatūānuku thrives! Submit by 15 March. Info here.
- HoD:
- Research report by the Education Hub on the most significant problems of practice, which if addressed could have greatest impact.
- Education Hub’s guide on using data to inform practice and common mistakes.
- Science Careers
- MBIE has a mobile app to allow users to search occupations by different criteria https://occupationoutlook.mbie.govt.nz/
- Info on workplace competencies – what skills make students employable? https://youthguarantee.education.govt.nz/tools/employability-skills/
- STEMonline is a resource from UoA to help support the teaching of NCEA sciences. They have had resources for mechanics 90940 (L1), 91171 (L2) & 91524 (L3) and maths for a while. Chem is gradually being added too, with 90944 currently available. Worth a look.
- This calendar of science dates is accurate for term 1, but some dates beyond that are yet to be confirmed: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dates-for-2021.doc
- BLAKE (formerly the Sir Peter Blake Trust) offers students week-long environmental leadership programs in Apr & Oct this year. Apply by 26 Feb.
- Gillian Ward and Sally Birdsall are running a postgraduate course called Teaching for Scientific Literacy, focussing on NoS & scientific inquiry. This first semester course begins on Wed 2 March & is a mix of face to face & online teaching. Inquiries to Sally Birdsall
Resources
- Biology:
- Article & video about mitochondria https://catalyst-magazine.org/articles/mitochondria/
- Actively Learn reading on animal behaviour (free to join) https://read.activelylearn.com/#teacher/reader/authoring/preview/527216/notes
- Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
- LearNZ online field trip exploring seaweed aquaculture, the world’s fastest-growing primary industry, for Sea Week 2021. More info.
- Earth & Space Science:
- This activity tells the story of Marie Tharp mapping the sea floor
- The February night sky: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/February-Night-sky.docx
- Chemistry:
- RSC article on explaining the synergy between rate and equilibrium https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/5-ways-to-explain-rate-and-equilibrium/4012704.article
- Chemistry for Kids by Liz Lee Heinecke explores 25 discoveries to show the progress of chemistry over time. As well as bio’s of the scientists involved, the book has practical experiments to try. ISBN 13 9781631598302 Wheelers link.
- Physics:
- This PhET introduces waves by exploring frequency, amplitude & speed https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/waves-intro
- Isaac Buabeng’s thesis Teaching And Learning Physics In NZ High Schools is easy to read and gives an insight into factors that improve practice.
- Primary & intermediate:
- An online lesson for yrs 1&2 on the senses of taste, small & touch. https://stemlearning.wistia.com/medias/csexk61v1n
- Young Ocean Explorers 21-day challenge is a cross-curricular resource for years 1-8 that can be used as part of guided inquiry. It starts on 15 Feb, More info here. [HoS]
- Nature of Science:
- Lesson plans on NoS, with accompanying resources. https://ncse.ngo/supporting-teachers/classroom-resources
- Science:
- The science of intoxication https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/from-first-sip-to-hangover-the-science-of-intoxication/C4QCN6GLFBITJXFCJLPS7WOEAY/
- Plenty of stimulating resources for the secondary sciences from Thom Adams at Vic uni. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/science/outreach/resources
- Science of COVID:
- NZH article on how genomics was used in NZ’s response to COVID.
- EfS:
- Climate change lesson plans. https://ncse.ngo/supporting-teachers/classroom-resources
- Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) is giving webinars on their resources (USA) https://cleanet.org/clean/community/webinars/webinars.html
Cheers, Mike