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
2 Feb	World Wetlands Day www.fishandgame.org.nz, www.doc.govt.nz
4 Feb	World Cancer Day http://www.worldcancerday.org/
7 Feb	National Periodic Table day http://www.periodictableday.org/
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.
Moon	3Q 5 Feb       NM 12 Feb      1Q 20 Feb       FM 27 Feb

1. After teachers gave MoE feedback about the draft materials for the new stds, the Science SEG made the final changes and developed more material. Delayed until the L1 decision was finalized, this is now available here https://ncea.education.govt.nz/science/science

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • Maori and Pacific women in science – thanks to Gerschen van Niekirk at Tuakau https://www.tepunahamatatini.ac.nz/2018/02/12/a-story-of-some-maori-and-pacific-island-women-in-science-from-the-14th-century-to-today/
   • MoE is providing a free service for teachers and support staff to learn te reo Māori. https://kauwhatareo.govt.nz/mi/resource/te-ahu-o-te-reo-maori-2/te-ahu-o-te-reo-maori-3/
2. Science Careers
   • Otago museum has a wonderful exhibition on women in Science celebrates the work of locals including Pru Casey, ex-OBHS. Runs until Feb 13.
3. Professional reading/watching:
   • Over Waitangi weekend there is free access to this online course: De-escalation – Working with Angry & Aggressive Young People. Fill in this form to receive an access code https://forms.gle/ATAzwxQVNPzYnjnk6

Resources

1. Biology:
   • The 1st video in this article on bees making honey shows research on waggle dances
   • NIWA’s comprehensive guide to sea slugs
   • Fish are what fish eat – This dataset gives students a way to see the concept of energy transfer in an ecosystem through real data.
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • A series of podcasts on finding sustainable solutions for managing weeds https://www.fortheloveofbees.co.nz/regenerative-horticulture-101
   • Trace the 9,000-year-old history of the domestication of corn, or maize, and its effects on global agriculture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6teBcfKpik
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Activity visualizing large numbers 1 million, 100 million, 1000 million to better understand time https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/149_Million.pdf
   • Article discussing what we’ve learned from 20 years on the international Space Station.
   • Julian Thomson videos on NZ geology are found on YouTube under Out There Learning
4. Chemistry:
   • PhET simulation on gas pressure and an activity on factors that affect it
   • Explaining titrations https://edu.rsc.org/ideas/5-ways-to-explain-titration/4012500.article
   • A game from RSC to showcase the vast range of career paths chemistry offers, all of which can make a real difference to people and the planet.
5. Physics:
   • NASA movie about EMS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwfJPc-rSXw
   • Cosmos article about the 2 thermonuclear pathways involved when the sun burns  hydrogen
   • Teach Engineering unit on simple machines
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Practical Primary science course. https://pstt.org.uk/resources/cpd-units/getting-practical
   • An online lesson for Yrs 1 & 2 on the importance of exercise, nutrition and hygiene w hands-on activities & investigations. https://stemlearning.wistia.com/medias/csexk61v1n
7. Nature of Science:
   • Resource from Australian Science exploring unconscious bias https://education.australiascience.tv/stem-pack-1-unconscious-bias/
8.  Science:
   • This set of resources explores the latest innovations in science https://education.australiascience.tv/future-now
9. Science of COVID:
   • How do RNA vaccines work? https://www.compoundchem.com/2020/12/02/rna-vaccines/
   • How do viral vector vaccines work? https://www.compoundchem.com/2020/12/30/viral-vector-vaccines/
10.  EfS:
    • 2021 Calendar of activities for Auckland schools from the Sustainable Schools team
    • In the Plastic Project students virtually meet peers in other continents while learning about global issues and innovations, finding solutions and taking meaningful actions. Runs over 6 weeks, mid-March – mid-May. https://www.earthproject.org/plastic

Help offered from other teachers:

Dave Thrasher explains how to download national NCEA data: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/How-to-gather-NZwide-NCEA-statistics-from-NZQA-secure-site-2021.pdf  & shares L1-3 Physics data he dowloaded: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2020-phy-che-bio-RESULTS-sharable-as-of-jan-27-2021.xlsx

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. You can apply to MoE for PLD for your dept. Deadlines to apply for Regionally-allocated PLD for 2021: 19 Feb, 14 May, 6 Aug, 29 Oct (end of week 2). Panel meets by wk 7, schools know wk 8 so can contact PLD facilitator & plan to start delivery in the following term. https://pld.education.govt.nz/ . Wellington is full.
2. I am running another workshop at Kohia on the draft new stds, 9 Feb. Flyer: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Science-L1-stds-workshop-Kohia-2021.pdf

Vacancy

The Auckland museum is looking for a learning specialist. Closes 5pm Feb 5. Linked In ad.

Cheers, Mike

With thanks to WARP SPEED COMPUTERS for their generous IT support