Mike’s News Jul 24

1-30 Jul Tūhura Tuarangi interactive space showcase at MOTAT, Auckland
20 Jul EdHub webinar, Dr Dione Healey on Understanding ADHD, 7:30pm. Register here
21 Jul 1969 1st moon walk www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11_40th.html#.UtmgLOuBr-k
30Jul-5Aug Cook Islands Māori Language week www.mpia.govt.nz
1 Aug Deadline to apply for funds from the Chemical Education Trust
4 Aug Deadline to apply for Science Teaching Leadership Program starting term 1 2024
Moon 1Q Jul 26         FM Aug 2         3Q Aug 8         NM Aug 16
  1. A resource for Cook Islands Māori Language week: Cook Island Maori phrases 2023
  2. At Café Scientifique Tauranga, Julia Graham talks about WBWT’s work protecting the region’s native birds. Mon 24 Jul, 7-9pm, Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Dr.
  3. Michael Park School in Auckland is hosting Dr Mary Miller talking with parents, guardians & teachers about navigating anxiety, helping students manage stressful times. 26 Jul, 7pm $12.
  4. ASTA is keen to get Auckland science teachers together for their annual social event, the ASTA dinner + quiz, held on Thurs, Aug 10. ASTA Dinner Flyer 2023
  5. The Predator Free Communities Programme can provide up to $5000 in funding. Apply by 4 Aug.
  6. Those who registered for Auckland’s 2 NZQA Biology MAJ workshops (North Shore, South Ak) have been sent confirmation emails. There’s still some spaces, to register late please email mikhal@actrix.co.nz
  7. Online Seaweek webinar on deep sea fish and squid 3 Aug, 7pm. Register here

Info

  1. Mātauranga Māori
  2. Student opportunities:
    • Interface’s Minecraft Competition challenges students to design & build a new exhibit for the National Aquarium of NZ. Entries close Fri 22 Sep. https://interfaceonline.co.nz/minecraft2023/
    • MacDiarmid Institute runs 2 fully-funded summer science camps for current yr 12 or 13 students:
      • Discovery Camp, 22-26 Jan 2024 Wellington, is for Māori and Pacific Island students with a genuine passion for the sciences. Apply by 27 Aug.
      • Nano Camp, 21-25 Jan 2024 Auckland, is for students with a strong academic background who are hoping to continue with science. Apply by 27 Aug.
  3. Digital support:
    • The results of a student survey on AI

Resources

  1. Biology:
    • Simulation of a heart beating, showing the valves
    • TED talk How CRISPR edits DNA by Jennifer Doudna who received a Nobel prize for this work
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
    • This American Soil Health Education and Outreach page has many teaching materials on soil — a soil life website & video series, lesson plans, posters, tests and guides to soil quality.
    • Massey Uni’s school of Agriculture and Environment has developed an online teaching resource that includes materials suitable for secondary teachers – videos, practicals and worksheets. To access email Emma at E.Scott@massey.ac.nz [HATA]
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4.  Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
    • This American site provides resources & lesson plans for teaching science ECE to grade 8.
    • Ideas for teaching instruments & sound from ABC
  7. Middle School:
  8.  Science:
  9.  STEM:
  10. New standards
    • Join up (for free) to record your signs and symptoms to help track flu and COVID. In return you get a weekly report and a map of respiratory illness. Great data for a pattern-seeking investigation in a microbes context. [Linda Haycock] https://info.flutracking.net/
    • HATA wants to establish a network of teachers to develop resources for the new L1 AgHort NCEA standards. If you want to be involved apply to https://forms.gle/nGs3mCqsaBGCeSLL7
  11. Congratulations to the NZ International Biology Olympiad team who returned from UAE with 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals, after competing against 79 other countries: Allan Han (Macleans), Jifei Shao (St Cuthbert’s), Ashleigh Bernacchi (Pinehurst), and Jacob Miller (Macleans).

MoE/NZQA

  1. Independent evaluation reports of the 2022 L1 pilots are now available. They show how the new NCEA materials and changes for assessment are working in practice and highlight many essential aspects for implementation, including ongoing support. ncea.education.govt.nz/ncea-pilots
  2. There are plenty of rumours on FB at present. For questions about the new NCEA stds & their implementation NIFs suggest you contact them: Rachel Chisnall, Nicola Foote, Paula Calver or Linda Haycock on first.last@education.govt.nz [Ian’s had a promotion]

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Step up to the World: Tū māia ki te Ao is a forum on global citizenship education, to be held in Auckland 11-13 Sep. More info: Step up to the World and flyer: Step up to the World flyer
  2. Teach Engineering is holding 2-day online workshops in August (on American time!) https://www.teachengineering.org/pdworkshops
  3. Waikato biology teachers! A reminder to register for the 27 July BEANZ workshop Engaging y9-13 Students in mātauranga Māori. Check in your inbox or contact michellei@haurakiplains.school.nz
  4. Free virtual PLD from CoreEd on incorporating equity into leadership. 31 Jul, 10-11am. https://nz.boma.global/all-events/2307-intro-to-equity-for-leaders
  5. Sow the Seed provides advice and support to AgHort teachers, one-on-one or in groups, face to face or online to help teachers gain expertise in the subject. Contact Suzy at S.newman@stpauls.school.nz or ross.redpath@inglewoodhs.school.nz [HATA]
  6. The next Science is Cool Unconference focuses on Physics beyond the classroom. Th 3 Aug 11 am – 4pm ET (Fri 4 Aug, 3 – 8am NZT!!). Register here to access the recordings.

Vacancies

  1. A trustee position is available for an experienced educator looking for leadership and governance experience, on the board at Life Education Trust North Shore. Voluntary role. Full details at https://interfaceonline.co.nz/2023/07/06/trustee-position-for-life-education-trust-north-shore/

Technicians

  1. The Biolab Sourcebook is downloadable for free at the moment and is very useful. Biolab Sourcebook – Science Resource Box

Cheers, Mike

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