28 Aug	Daffodil Day www.daffodilday.org.nz/
28 Aug	Deadline to apply for MacDiarmid Institute residential camps with top scientists: DC & NC
29 Aug	International Day Against Nuclear tests  www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/
30 Aug 1871	Earnest Rutherford was born http://www.rutherford.org.nz/
1 Sep	NZ Random Acts of Kindness Day  https://rak.co.nz/
1-30 Sep	Asthma Awareness Month  http://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/
4 Sep	Deadline to apply for 2021 Science Teaching Leadership Programme.
6 Sep	Tsunami warning siren test at the beginning of daylight savings
6-12 Sep	Tongan Language week  www.mpia.govt.nz
7-13 Sep	Keep NZ Beautiful Week (= Clean Up Wk)  https://www.knzb.org.nz
8 Sep	International Literacy day  https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all
Moon	1Q 26 Aug      FM 2 Sep        3Q 10 Sep      NM 17 Sep

Info

1. Resources for Māori language week 14-21 Sep:
   • Loopy cards https://www.akopanuku.tki.org.nz/assets/ResourceFiles/Loopy-Cards-Web-1.pdf
   • Posters of te reo Māori phrases for different sports (rugby, soccer, boxing, tennis). https://www.akopanuku.tki.org.nz/rauemi/curriculum/#filter=.poster.hauorahealth-pe
2.  Pedagogy:
   • A guide to gifted education https://theeducationhub.org.nz/an-introduction-to-gifted-and-talented-education
   • How can both primary & secondary schools help students transition between yrs 8 & 9. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/the-transition-to-secondary-school
3. Digital support
   • Australian Science Week is making a whole heap of science docos available online – https://scinema.org.au/ Worth a look- can’t see the list of films till you sign up (its free)
   • Home Learning on Duke on TV https://learningfromhome.govt.nz/HLTV#TV-schedule
4. NZCER is currently surveying teachers and leaders from a sample of secondary and composite schools as part of research on theeducational response to climate change. If you have any questions about this research please email Bolstad@nzcer.org.nz 
5. Although the Lab Managers role is mandated by legislation, currently its funding has to be negotiated within each school. Fiona Wolff & Samantha Farook have written a paper high-lighting the issue to PPTA members (see website). To get this passed by branch vote will take science teachers explaining the issues to colleagues. [Beirut explosion is a timely (if extreme) example of what happens if the management of hazardous substance is ignored.]
6.  Careers:
   • Wonder Project provides freeweekly 15-20-minute Zoom Webinars to inspire yr 7-10 students to see the wonder in all things STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths). The STEM professional hosts (aerospace scientists, mechanical engineers, bee research specialists) discuss their professional journey, with time for student questions. Mechatronic Engineer Ariel Yap talks on Th 27 Aug. More info https://bit.ly/32mijqO

Resources

1. Biology:
   • A reading, video and practice problems from Khan Academy on phylogenetic trees
   • Backyard Diversity is a series of 11 videos, tasks & activities with info on backyard wildlife and enhancing biodiversity wherever you are. Tasks here, videos & activities: http://www.rotokare.org.nz/Education/Backyard-Biodiversity—Taiao-Taiepa-Ki-Tua/

2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Resource From Paddock to Plate https://education.abc.net.au/res/teacher_res/3-paddock-plate.html

3. Earth & Space Science
   • BioGeoChemist Lisa Welp discusses carbon cycle, CHONPS, carbon sink, isotopes used as tracers in water and her career path. audio + splashscreen, Worksheet
   • An animation of how the moon has changed since its formation 4.5 billion years ago https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1590006/a-long-history-of-the-moon

4. Chemistry:
   • Video explaining groups of the Periodic Table & their properties.
   • If a heated solid melts, why does a boiled egg harden? https://edu.rsc.org/resources/chocolate-and-egg-experiment/441.article

5. Physics:
   • A chain reaction of basic discoveries that lead to the development of the atom bomb https://www.sciencenews.org/article/atomic-bomb-physics-fission-hiroshima-anniversary
   • The physics of a boomerang (students shown how to make 1 & given a chance to fly it) https://blossoms.mit.edu/videos/lessons/physics_boomerangs

6. Science of COVID-19:
   • An article on the science of facemasks https://www.newsroom.co.nz/the-latest-science-behind-universal-face-masks
   • Bill Gates discusses the results of COVID-19 research he funds https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_how_the_pandemic_will_shape_the_near_future/transcript

7. EfS:
   • Three short online videos depict the dramatic changes in Alaska’s marine ecosystems through interviews with scientists and Alaska natives. https://www.climate.gov/teaching/resources/faces-climate-change-introduction

8. Primary
   • ABC resource on animal and plant adaptations https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/444338/animal-and-plant-adaptations
   • Create a creature – this interactive game helps students learn about invertebrate body parts https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1497405/create-a-creature

9. Nature of Science
   • The evils of dihydrogen monoxide https://www.dhmo.org/facts.html
   • Our students will be hearing many conspiracy theories & need some tools to deal with them. A list of resources that may help. https://www.patreon.com/posts/40354143

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Science teacher PLD being planned for term 4
   • Physics 27 Nov at UoA https://sites.google.com/view/uoaptd2017/2020s-day-info
   • Biology Best Practice Workshop Making Assessor Judgements, Nov 12 (L2) & 13 ( L3) at Otago Boys’ High School, shared online as well. casey@obhs.school.nz
   • Rachel Heeney (EGGS) & Dave Gratton (Maurice Wilkins Centre) are planning some FREE Biology teacher PD perhaps the weeks beginning 9 and /or 16 Nov. Please contact Rachel if you are keen for one in your area – so far there is interest from Hawkes Bay, Whangarei and Hamilton. RHeeney@eggs.school.nz
   • If you are planning some science teacher PLD in term 4 in your area please let me know.
2. Kōtuitui Online Teachers Network is funded as a Network of expertise. Their experienced e-teachers are providing more free webinars on designing online learning. Info & registration link here https://hail.to/nex/article/OTp1TIC
3. Cracking the Code – Boys in Literacy. Otago, Canterbury, Manawatu/Whanganui, Ak., 7 Sep onwards. https://www.growthculture.co.nz/cracking-the-code-boys-in-literacy
4. Apply for the Science Teaching Leadership Program by Mon 7 Sep. Teachers develop their curriculum leadership skills in science and connect with others learning about the Nature of Science. Spend 6 months in a science organization and 6 months back at school making improvements to the science program, with support.
5. NZ Association for Gifted Students conference 19-20 Sep in Christchurch. https://nzagc.wildapricot.org/events
6. Application for Centrally funded PLD is now online. Proposals must be in by 9 Oct to be considered by the panel for your area. There are new priorities too – & webinars to explain them. See flyer: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Webinar-events-on-the-new-PLD-priorities.docx

Cheers, Mike