1-30 Jul	Tūhura Tuarangi interactive space showcase at MOTAT, Auckland
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
8-14 Aug*	Maths Week www.mathsweek.org.nz/
9 Aug	deadline to Register for NZ International Biology Olympiad
10 Aug	ASTA dinner 6:45pm, Western Springs Garden Community Hall. RSVP & more info here.
Moon	FM Aug 2      3Q Aug 8      NM Aug 16      1Q Aug 24

1. SCINEMA runs from Aug 1 – 31 every year to showcase the best in science cinema from around the world. Free. Register here https://scinema.org.au/registration_form_2023
2. Post Viral Research ANZ is a crowd-funded research group looking at Long COVID, ME + others. They are holding a fund-raiser comedy night at the Birdcage, Auckland, 2 Aug. Buy tickets here https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/presenting-audiences-different-ages/
3. Fri 8 Sep the MAGS farm will host AgHort students from Auckland and Northland to compete across 18 modules young-farmer-style for a junior and senior prize. [HATA] AF Auckland Clash of the Colleges_2023
4. Kudos awards recognise exceptional achievements in science innovation and technology in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Nominate a science teacher before 31 Aug https://www.thekudos.org.nz/the-kudos-awards/
5. STANZ is looking for a venue to host the science technician’s conference ConSTANZ 2024. If you can help please email stanzpresident@gmail.com by Friday 4 August.
6. NZAEE and ASTA are holding a science expo, Auckland 13 Sep – a networking event with nibbles and drinks. Expo Call for Providers
7. TLRI funds research projects that aim to improve learner outcomes in Aotearoa. Full proposal applications to the Whatua Tū Aka pathway (to improve equity for Māori learners) are due by 5pm, Thurs 24 Aug. Apply here http://www.tlri.org.nz. More info here http://www.tlri.org.nz/apply-funding

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • Recordings of Stephen Ross’s recent webinar series on the mātauranga Māori and science interface: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z2FrMZxITKvlutg4FcHtAzeuyCqVR5dM
2. Student opportunities:
   • The Grow Me program offers presentations and field trips on forestry. [HATA] https://www.discoverforestry.co.nz
3. Digital support:
   • STEM Insights podcast 10 is on using micro:bits
   • MapMaker 4.0 Beta is a free, online GIS tool that is easy to use and provides interactive data. Explore the world in a 2D flat map or 3D globe displays with an intuitive interface. Designed for teachers, no login required & lesson resources are available to help you get started.
4. Science Careers:
   • The Story of Eunice Foote who discovered the greenhouse effect https://www.wowstem.org/post/eunice-foote
   • The NZIC Auckland Branch will be holding a Chemistry Careers Evening on Mon 7 Aug from 5-7 pm in WG201 at AUT, (55 Wellesley St East). Hear from a range of companies employing chemists and have a chance to chat with their representatives. RSVP here by Mon 31 July.
5. Nat Geographic has useful tips for adults presenting to your students https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/presenting-audiences-different-ages/
6. Research by ERO revealed that 1 in 5 children from ethnic communities experience frequent racial bullying at school. In response, some resources have been developed to equip educators and families to support Muslim tamariki transition to school. https://core-ed.org/en_NZ/free-resources/supporting-the-transition-to-school-for-muslim-children/#e4555
7. Congratulations to The Chemistry Olympiad team competing in Switzerland, the first one live since Covid. All members of the team got medals: Silver for Oliver Gunson (AGS), Bronze for Jayden Kumar (AGS), Isla Swanney (Nayland College), Cedric Siriwardana (ACG Sunderland).

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Teaching the big picture of the digestive system https://cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiology/post/seeing-the-digestive-system-how-i-teach-the-first-lesson
   • TED Ed talk on the 5 fingers of evolution https://ed.ted.com/lessons/five-fingers-of-evolution
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • MPI summary of effects of climate change on pasture, arable crops and fruit https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/impacts-agriculture-sep01.pdf
   • Nine 20-minute modules that introduce the concepts behind farming with native biodiversity https://www.biodiversity.nz/e-learning [HATA]
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • Do some star gazing with The Night Sky in August
   • A short engaging TED talk on how ocean currents work.
   • AF8 has released the final three modules in their What’s On Our Plates? Series on NZ & plate tectonics! https://af8.org.nz/explore-the-science/whats-on-our-plates
4.  Chemistry:
   • Testing rate of reaction with Diet Coke & Mentos https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-coke-mentos/
   • Prof Allan Blackman has created a YouTube Channel, Chemistry Matters, with nearly 50 videos that are useful to secondary school and first year university students. [Ian Torrie]
5. Physics:
   • Video playing sound signal and showing waves from 20Hz to 20 kHz, our audible range https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNf9nzvnd1k&t=68s
   • Science in a van on measuring sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4PDTkvZSW8
   • Corrections have been made to the NZASE map of NZ power stations
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Lessons & resources from American PBS https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/science/
   • Introduce young children to the extraordinary Marie Curie with the picture book I Am Marie Curie (ages 4-8) & the activity-packed The Science and Technology of Marie Curie (ages 9-12).
7.  Science:
   • Some start of year practical activities with which to introduce lab safety and equipment https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PhNskS8dzli0faDeJgxnmaAIMW-X8uvO
   • Human adaptations to extreme environments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI6aFO8svqA
8. Nature of Science:
   • Reading about peer review in science https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/how-science-works/scrutinizing-science-peer-review/
   • Activity where students peer review each other’s work.
9. New standards
   • Personal Genetics Education has some interesting info for prompting ethical discussions around genetics issues.  Useful for broadening Nature of Science with Yr 11. [Shannon Black] https://pged.org/lesson-plans/

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Just announced: Apply for Regionally allocated PLD by 13 Sep. This PLD will begin in term 1 2024. No information available on whether there will be any further rounds. Schools can use this PLD to support the implementation of NCEA (in the ‘Local Curriculum Design’ priority).
2. STEM Learning (UK) has some free online PLD available on demand (Free to join STEM Learning)
   • Managing Behaviour for Learning: https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/ondemand/45271/managing-behaviour-learning
3. Science Learning Hub:
   • In the next webinar, Th 10 Aug 4-4:45pm Greta Dromgool will host Pauline Waiti and Rosemary Hipkins co-authors of the recent Enduring Competencies report. They will talk about exploring and learning through both science and mātauranga Māori knowledge systems. Register here.
4. Learning Network NZ, Cnr Universal/Soljan Drives, Henderson, Auckland:
   • Trauma – Deep Dive: Kathryn Berkett, 16 Aug 9:30-3. https://www.learningnetwork.ac.nz/events/trauma23/
5. Face-to-face after 4 years! ULearn 2023 registrations are open. 4-6 Oct, Auckland. https://ulearn.nz/
6. Two Canterbury uni online courses on Iceland and NZ volcanoes, free with an option to upgrade. https://www.edx.org/professional-certificate/ucx-field-volcanology-and-hazards

Cheers, Mike

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