7 Oct	World Habitat Day https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/
10 Oct	World Sight Day http://www.iapb.org/advocacy/world-sight-day
12 Oct	Ada Lovelace day, women in STEM http://findingada.com/
12 Oct	Welcome to the Birds open day at Pūkorokoro Miranda. https://shorebirds.org.nz/
13 Oct	NZ’s Get Ready Week to mark the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
13-19 Oct	Earth Sciences week (USA) http://www.earthsciweek.org/about-esw
13-19 Oct	Niue language week, Vagahau Niue www.mpia.govt.nz
16 Oct	ESSE webinar on geological processes that formed Zealandia 4-5pm. Register here.
16 Oct	Chemquest 2024, 6pm at Waikato uni for students studying L2 chem.
17 Oct	Applications close for School to Seas / School to Skies Teachers Camp Jan 2025
17 Oct	Supermoon
17 Oct	9:30 am NZ ShakeOut, EQ drill & tsunami evacuation.
21 Oct	Peak of Orionids meteor shower http://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/meteor-showers
21Oct-15Nov	Last MoE TOD https://ncea.education.govt.nz/teacher-only-days
Moon	1Q Oct 11      FM Oct 18      3Q Oct 24      NM Nov 2

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • NZ Inst of Ag & Hort Sci is holding a 1-day forum Nitrogen – Friend or Foe? Wed 23 Oct 8.50am – 3.30pm in the Stewart Lecture Theatre, Lincoln University, Canterbury. Info here.
2. The New Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo 20 – 23 Oct focuses on dark sky and light pollution. https://starlightconference.org.nz
3. A resource for next week’s language week: Classroom phrases Niuean
4. Nobel prizes announced this week – Physiology & Medicine Mon, Physics Tues, Chemistry Wed
5. Auckland Heritage festival events that may be useful for ESS teachers [thanks to Najin Suvi]:
   • Maunga to Moana walk (Meola Creek)
   • Tuia mātauranga: the ocean that binds us together (Maritime Museum)
   • Volcano Fest: Auckland’s Fiery Past and Future (University of Auckland):

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • Article from Tame Malcolm on a Māori perspective on poisoning pests [thanks Lauren Roberts] https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F6dXbsa39nfHY8R2V2c1oNupDonCGeb7/edit
   • The National Science Challenges set the government’s broad aims for science research and funding requires scientists to incorporate Māori and consider mātauranga. In this report scientists working on the NSC reflect on their Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey.
2. HoD:
   • Kōtui Ako/Virtual Learning Network provides an online L2 and L3 science course, useful for small schools https://hail.to/kotui-ako-vln/publication/0gBBdGW/article/kIZfbkG

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Enzymes lab using the effect of pineapple juice on jelly https://www.scienceweek.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Enzymes-in-Action.pdf
   • Activity investigating rates of photosynthesis in sun and shade plants.
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Rural Delivery website has over 1,300 stories (text, video and audio) on innovation, best practice, and sustainability in New Zealand’s primary sector! https://ow.ly/mezu50RMGY7
   • A guide to planting out kumara https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122211181664019394&set=a.122116367144019394
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Article on viewing comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS C/2023 A3: https://theconversation.com/the-best-comet-of-the-year-is-finally-here-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-239300
   • Activity based on NOAA’s sea floor map: Age Of The Sea Floor
   • Bruce Hayward’s videos on Northland geology – Volcanoes at Kaikohe and Sand Dunes/Lignite at Bayly’s beach. Useful for AS91189/ESS2.1 Geological processes in a NZ locality?
4. Chemistry:
   • Data Classroom activity identifying gold by density
   • Making ammonia from nitrate-contaminated water https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/new-reactor-could-more-than-triple-the-yield-of-one-of-the-world-s-most-valuable-chemicals
5. Physics:
   • A video showing pressure (deep) under water, compared to pressure at the surface (sealevel) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ft6QnBWJZqs
   • Posters on antimatter and atomic theory
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • A free lesson on the senses for L1 of the curriculum – lesson plan, teacher guide, video, questions, vocab, reading/listening, activity, quiz.
   • Watch video What Makes Bridges Strong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVOnRPefcno, discuss different bridge types, then make some with Lego and test strength
7. Middle School:
   • The latest Brian Cox School Experiments, designed for teaching students aged 11-14 years, includes three brand new topics; robotics, plastics and sustainability, and green energy. Comes with investigations, videos, worksheets, teacher guides.

1. Science:
   • Rocket Lab contact education@rocketlab.co.nz (not on website)
   • Explorify has lots of starter activities to get kids talking about their prior knowledge and experience that you can link to a science topic. https://explorify.uk/collections/have-you-ever
2. Education for Sustainability (EfS)
   • A recording of the launch of the new Environmental Science book from Biozone shows teachers what is on offer. https://vimeo.com/1012178508/5828283f22

MoE/NZQA

1. Check the subject associations for sample assessment tasks for the new L1 external exams in November. CB – BEANZ & SCENZ; PES – NZIP & ESSE; Sci – NZASE; Aghort – HATA.

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. STEM Learning (UK) has some free online PLD available as short videos. It’s free to join.
   • Questioning techniques – a variety demonstrated in primary & secondary settings
   • Intro to assessment for learning – with primary & secondary examples
   • Managing behaviour for learning
   • Planning for learning – taking into account both starting points & possible misconceptions.
2. Evaluation Associates offers a PLD program for middle and senior school leaders – face-to-face workshops, online group coaching sessions & webinars. https://www.evaluate.co.nz/courses/leading-edge
3. There are daily webinars during Earth Sci Week (USA) 14-18 Oct: Mon sustainability, Tues plastics, Wed Impact craters, Th Poles, Fri soil. Register here. Posters here.

Technician

1. The recipe for this blood typing activity works very well and uses cheap, easy to obtain ingredients. It doesn’t look like real blood, so no problem with queasy students. blood typing challenge
2. NZ Laboratory Education offer micro-credential courses for lab technicians on care of microscopes & physics equipment as well as on solutions. Free within NZ due to generous support thru the TEC.

Vacancies

1. Port Vila International School is seeking Chemistry, Physics (& Maths) secondary teachers. Expressions of interest to employment@pvis.edu.vu
2. Science Alive Charitable Trust is looking for a Science/STEM Communicator & Educator to work w primary children. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. https://www.seek.co.nz/job/79124712?ref=cm-ui

Cheers, Mike

Mike’s News is brought to you with the generous support of NZASE and Warp Computers

MN