1 Jan	International year of fruit & vegetables http://www.fao.org/fruits-vegetables-2021/en/
31 Jan	World leprosy day (last Sun Jan) www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/world-leprosy-day
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
Moon	1Q 21 Jan FM 29 Jan 3Q 5 Feb NM 12 Feb

1. On Mon 25 Jan, the Prime Minister’s Science Adviser Juliette Gerard will have a discussion with Science teachers about the future of Science teaching in NZ schools.  Some time has been provided to discuss Science in Primary Schools, especially in relation to last year’s TIMSS report. A flier is attached with more details, (venue is now N580 – 5^th floor of N block) please RSVP using the link there: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Discussion-with-J-Gerrard-Jan-2021.pdf
2. Sea week is coming up soon, 6-14 March https://www.seaweek.org.nz/

Info

1. Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
   • Science Learning Hub resources on restoring wetlands, with a strong mātauranga base https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3001-repo-wetlands-a-context-for-learning
2. Revision:
   • Podcast and notes about retrieval practice https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast/2017/9/6/episode-2-retrieval-practice
3. Science Careers
   • Guide for providing STEM career experiences (STEM UK is free to join) https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/482786/developing-career-learning-stem

Resources

1. Biology:
   • An in-depth article for teachers on the genetic underpinnings of the current under-standing of human’s complex evolutionary history.
   • A padlet on algae https://padlet.com/TaupoForTomorrow/algae
   • A NASA unit on wetlands https://www.giss.nasa.gov/edu/res/WangMondaca_Wetlands.pdf
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • For the Love of Bees is providing a course on urban horticulture https://www.fortheloveofbees.co.nz/regenerative-horticulture-101
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Science Learning Hub has some resources on shadows, with respect to the sun and using materials of different transparency.
   • ABC documentary on the East Australian Current
   • A demo to help students appreciate the use of logarithmic scales when measuring large ranges. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/300_Spaghetti_quake.pdf
4. Chemistry:
   • PhET simulation on building an atom https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
   • RSC resource on the learning you can extract with the magnesium-steam reaction. https://edu.rsc.org/exhibition-chemistry/the-reaction-of-magnesium-with-steam/4012602.article
   • Combatting body odour https://cen.acs.org/content/dam/cen/98/36/WEB/09836-feature4-graphic.pdf
5. Physics:
   • New Scientist article on fast radio bursts being more common that thought https://www.newscientist.com/article/2259924-repeated-radio-bursts-from-nearby-star-suggest-such-signals-are-common
   • Make your own spectrometer with a DVD & a smartphone camera (with teacher, technician, & student guides). https://edu.rsc.org/resources/smartphone-spectrometer/2071.article
   • A series of electricity practicals https://www.liacoseducationalmedia.com/electric-circuits
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • ABC resource on insects – Minibeast heroes
   • A video for teachers wanting to investigate shadows with their class https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=qoDQXrq2wsc&feature=youtu.be
7.  EfS:
   • This PhET simulation explores the greenhouse effect. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/greenhouse
   • Climate change sorting activity:
   • This on-demand webinar offers free resources and ideas to teach about climate education—avoiding controversy and preparing students to lead a sustainable world. https://sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/preparing-students-lead-sustainable-world-climate-education-327690

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. From Learning Network NZ for both primary & secondary, face to face courses in Auckland
   • Hands-on Science & Creativity by Madeleine Collins, 19 Jun, 8:30-12:30 https://www.learningnetwork.ac.nz/events/creativity-3/
2. Science Learning Hub – free online PLD webinar, Te Repo – wetlands as a context for learning on Thurs 11 Feb, 4–4:45 pm. Register here.

Cheers, Mike

Kia tūpato, kia haumaru te noho, ā, me tiaki tētahi i tētahi
Take care, stay safe, and look after each other