19 Jun	World Albatross Day Link to RNZ
20 Jun	Matariki celebration (star cluster visible 19 – 22 Jun) teaching resources
21 Jun	Winter solstice NZ https://www.rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set-1
23 Jun	Deadline to enter Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow comp. Link here
26 Jun	8-4, Engenuity Day for yr12 & 13 girls interested in Engineering. UoA Grafton Rd campus
28Jun-6Jul	NZ Garden Bird Survey https://gardenbirdsurvey.nz/take-part/
28Jun-6Jul	NZ International Science Festival will be held in Ōtepoti Dunedin https://scifest.org.nz
30 Jun	Asteroid day https://asteroidday.org/
30 Jun	Deadline to give govt feedback on Predator free 2050 strategy. Access here.
Moon	3Q Jun 19        NM Jun 25        1Q Jul 3        FM Jul 11

1. Talks that may be relevant for us
   • Cafe Scientifique Tauranga 23 Jun Brett Roberts talks about AI (milestones, current capabilities trends). Tauranga Yacht Club Doors open at 6:30 for a 7pm start, $10. Register with Julia.
   • Missed NASA astrophysicist Dr Michelle Thaller? Catch her on RNZ.
   • An online talk on exploring Jupiter’s Moon Europa from the Lunar Planetary Institute. Tues 17 June 7:30 pm CT [18 Jun 12:30pm NZST]. Streamed here https://www.youtube.com/c/LPIUSRA
2. Matariki events & resources
   • A presentation by Rangi Matamua https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbR78Jd1nGU&t=2s
   • A feature film (90 mins, $7) https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/matariki
   • Resources from Science Alive https://46449820.hs-sites.com/your-science-alive-monthly-newsletter-3?
   • A new Matariki game https://matariki.twoa.ac.nz/guardian-of-the-stars-game/
   • Upper Hutt City Council is putting on Matariki workshops. Take part in story-telling, raranga (weaving), manu tukutuku (kites), and making tukutuku panels. Register here
   • Pā McGowan, Tangata Tiriti and rongoā/natural Māori medicine mātanga/expert, reminds us that Matariki isn’t just about the stars. 2min video clip 
   • Some ideas for teaching the science around Matariki (for both primary and secondary): PowerPoint
   • Silo Park (Ak) has an event Sat Jun 21, 5-8pm. Neon artwork, switching on Matariki Lights on the Harbour Bridge, live music, kai, fire pits + the Matariki experience, He Kakano, inside Silo 6.
   • Matakana workshops on weaving a basket $150 or a flower $75 Fri 20 Jun. Book here.
   • The Wellington Astronomical Society will have telescopes on the waterfront predawn 20 Jun
3. MOTAT’s LIVE Days (10am-4pm) are interactive, hands-on days filled with learning for the whole whānau! Weather 15 Jun; Energy 20 Jul; Flying 17 Aug; Communications 21 Sep

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori:
   • Māori use of stone https://teara.govt.nz/en/kohatu-maori-use-of-stone/print
   • Some resources on heat transfer in hāngi, umu or rēwena context. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Gc0MHFJPoDDFsKAgwd-SsJdjdDRbIMVi
2. Student opportunities:
   • Next year’s Entrance Exam for the NZ International Biology Olympiad team opens for entries 15 Jun so please encourage ākonga to register https://nzibo.org/registration/
   • CCSE is running a STEMM student challenge 29-30 Jul at Lower Hutt Town Hall. $10 per team (for years 5-13). Register by Fri 18 Jul
3. Teacher Opportunities:
   • Applications for the PM’s Science Teacher Award are now open. This prize is awarded to a qualified registered teacher of science (in a primary, intermediate or secondary NZ registered school or kura kaupapa) who is currently employed permanently. More information
   • Agriculture teacher taster camps at Telford Campus 29 Jun-2 Jul and 21-23 Sep.
4. Digital tools:
   • A Chem Ed article on teaching students how to better prompt generative AI https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00212?ref=recommended

Resources

1. Biology:
   • ABC article what do plants do all day? https://www.abc.net.au/education/what-plants-do-all-day/13777938
   • Use the resource Who Killed The Kiwi? to teach students about gel electrophoresis. UoO will send you a practical kit. Outreach Resources – Genetics Otago
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Massey Uni’s Whenua Haumanu regenerative agricultural research project can host students for a day to explore how dairy grazing on different pasture systems effects nitrate leaching.
   • Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani, who won the 2024 Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm, model best practice in combining Western science and mātauranga Māori. Rural Delivery
3. Earth & Space Science::
   • A video about the origins & power of Big Waves along the Northern California Coast. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/kqed07.sci.ess.bigwave/making-big-waves/
   • An Alpha on limestone: Limestone A103
4.  Chemistry:
   • Teach Engineering activity on oil spill solutions https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_enveng_lesson01_activity2
   • An EIC article on contextualizing chemistry https://edu.rsc.org/feature/contextualising-core-practicals/4021172.article (limit of 2 applies to classroom resources only)
5. Physics:
   • NZASE literacy and numeracy resources on testing conductivity and rocket forces
   • The physics of climate change https://perimeterinstitute.ca/news/physics-climate-change
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Resources from USA’s dinosaur week:
     • Eons series explores aspects of dinosaur evolutions in short 10 min clips
     • A video of a paleontologist exploring the cataclysm that wiped out the dinosaurs
     • The Dinosaur Train blends science, math, and critical thinking
7. Middle School:
   • YouTube videos with worksheets and assessments for astronomy https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17MYC-2t__RV4jnBcXVV4dfSDvOPBOzUklK5g55mMFSs/edit
8.  Science:
   • Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa / The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey citizen science project is taking place this year from 28 Jun – 6 Jul.
   • The science of getting the biggest splash to your manu https://www.sciencenews.org/article/biggest-splash-pool-manu-science
9. A science book you or your students might like to read
   • How My Koro Became A Star, by Brianne Te Paa, read aloud. Farewelling a koro at Matariki. Explores Matariki traditions, links to the stars and uses some te reo Māori.

Can you help?

1. NZIBO asks teachers to consider supporting this year’s NZ International Biology Olympiad team. They’re competing in the Philippines in the 1^st week of Term 3 and still need to fundraise. Please donate to their Givealittle page

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. NZASE’s term 3 PLD for secondary teachers focuses on Writing in Science & Explaining for understanding. Face-to-face. Find out more here and register here.

Technicians

1. Animates has laser pointers <1m. https://www.animates.co.nz/petsport-usa-laser-chase-interactive-pet-toy1.html
2. Inzect Direct will supply live crickets: Insect pet food supplier – iNZect® Direct New Zealand

Cheers, Mike

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