Mike’s News Aug 17

Posted on by Mike Stone
15-23 AugConservation week www.doc.govt.nz
18 AugNZASE online forum 3:30-4:30 pm for teachers of years 7-10. Register here
20 AugDeadline for abstracts for ULearn https://www.core-ed.org/events/ulearn
22 AugAlison Campbell’s Schol Bio Day, Sancta Maria College 10-3. Email details to Shane
28 AugDaffodil Day www.daffodilday.org.nz/      last Fri of August*
28 AugDeadline to apply for MacDiarmid Institute residential camps with top scientists: DC & NC
29 AugInternational Day Against Nuclear tests  www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/
30 Aug 1871Earnest Rutherford was born http://www.rutherford.org.nz/
1 SepNZ Random Acts of Kindness Day    https://rak.co.nz/
1-30 SepAsthma Awareness Month                 http://www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz/  
MoonNM 19 Aug      1Q 26 Aug      FM 2 Sep        3Q 10 Sep     

Info

  1. Pedagogy:
    • ITC publications & Learning Network NZ is offering all NZ teachers 1 month’s free access to their resources to help with remote learning – writable graphic organisers,  student activities and feedback strategies. Email resources@learningnetwork.ac.nz
  2. Student competitions:
    • The Chemistry Olympiad is in Osaka, Japan 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2021. A training group of 140 Yr 12 Chem students will be selected based on an on-line (Ed Perfect) test in late Sep. Entry is free this year – deadline 11 Sep. More info here.
    • Design a shirt to celebrate women in science Enter by18 Sep. Share with art too?
  3. NZCER’s Teaching,School, and Principal Leadership Practices Survey Tool(TSP) helps principals to inquire into teaching, school & leadership practices. Free til the start of Term 4. More info at tspsurveys.org.nz. It may also be helpful to view the summarised national picture & see a discussion sheet that considers practices in your school.
  4. Entries for the 2020 round of the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes are now open. A year 12 or 13 student can win $ 50,000 for a science or engineering project. A teacher can win $50,000 (with $100,000 for their school) for significant achievements in science education in the last 5 years. Applications close at 5pm on 9 Oct. https://www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz/
  5. Digital support
    • BrainPOP is offering your 1st month’s access for only $1 (using the coupon code 1for30bts) on a monthly Family plan. This will give you access to quizzes, learning games, mobile apps and 850 animated movies. https://www.brainpop.com/store/plans/cart
    • The Virtual Learning Network ran a series of pld on online learning, which are now available to view. https://hail.to/nex/publication/RTAchfq/articles/tag/n91EAJq
    • Reminder: ClassroomNZ2020 is a platform with online courses developed by Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura). The resources will be available til Mar 2021 and can be used to supplement school curriculum content. You need to register to get access. New content is being introduced for yr 7-10 students in the Auckland region.

Resources

  1. Biology:
  1. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
  1. Earth & Space Science
  1. Chemistry:
  1. Physics:
  1. Science of COVID-19:
  1. EfS:
    • Polar Explorer: Sea Level is a free app that lets users explore a series of interactive maps of the planet that show how climate -ice, the oceans, precipitation, & temperatures – have changed over time. Learn more online.
  1. Primary

MoE/NZQA

  1. NZQA is showcasing online case studies of assessment approaches that are innovative, while still meeting expectations of authenticity, validity, and reliability. They include examples of cross-curricular, project-based and personalised assessments. Each is accompanied by research & discussion tools so that they are useful for PLD. 

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. NZASE Online Forums 3:30-4:30 pm. Years 1-8 on Sep 9, Oct 14, Nov 11 (Aug event was on the 12th). Years 7-10 on Aug 18, Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 17. Register here.
  2. Yr 1-8 teachers can advance their expertise in maths & science by study ­– a Postgrad Certificate in Ed program in 2021 can be fully funded bythe Woolf Fisher Trust Postgraduate Scholarships. The program is part-time, with an online study option. WFT is hosting an online session on Wed 19 Aug to answer questions on the scholarships, program & course’s teachers. Register https://woolffisherinfosession.eventbrite.co.nz.
  3. Workshops on conservation skills Sat 30 Aug 10am – 4pm at Poukaraka flat campground carpark, Waiheke Island. Spaces are limited, and tickets are $20. Ph 09 372 9868. https://www.wal.org.nz/courses/introduction-to-conservation-skills-at-whakanewha
    • Natasha Beletskey from Auckland Council on native and introduced plants
    • Jo Ritchie from Te Korowai o Waiheke will explore native birds and predator control.

Cheers, Mike