Mike’s News Apr 3

5 Apr Science is Cool Conference, 9am PT (5am NZT). Register here
7 Apr World Health Day www.who.int/ 🡪 Events calendar
11-14 Apr HATA conference at Napier Boys HS. Info here.
12 Apr International Day of Human Space Flight www.un.org/en/events/humanspaceflightday/
13-16 Apr SciCon at Rototuna High Schools, Hamilton. https://www.scicon.org.nz/
16 Apr Applications close, Innovative Young Minds residential program. https://iym.org.nz/
17 Apr World Haemophilia day http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=492
Moon FM Apr 6      3Q Apr 13      NM Apr 20      1Q Apr 28
  1. Virtual Learning Network (VLN) Primary and Online Learning Community (OLC) no longer exist. They have become a Year 0 to 13 organisation with a single governance and operational structure, Kōtui Ako Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa. http://kotuiako.school.nz/
  2. Project Twin Streams is offering awa, ngakau, pekapeka (water testing, forest trees and bat detecting), a field experience for west Auckland teachers Fri 21 Apr, 5-7pm.  PTTS Field experience
  3. At SciCon, NZASE will offer a prize draw of two Bronze House of Science memberships for teachers from eligible primary/intermediate/area schools. This would provide your kura with one House of Science kit every fortnight for the rest of the year.
  4. Schools attending SciCon 2023 will receive first access to a digital collection of course plans and resources from pilot schools featuring the Nature of Science standards. NZASE has paid for this work and hopes it will provide ideas, insights, and useful assistance with planning ahead.

Info

  1. Student opportunity
    • Year 11 or 12 students can apply to represent NZ in the Professor Harry Messel International Science School held in Sydney, Sun 2 July – Sat 15 July. 140 students participate from several countries. Accommodation costs, activities paid for by ISS, travel is not. ISS 2023
    • Young Reporters for the Environment is a great opportunity for students 11 – 25 years old to develop their skills & passion for environmental journalism through writing, photography or film. https://www.knzb.org.nz/programmes/education/young-reporters
  2. Jane Young has just published a book, Genomes at Work. It explores the details & use of genome technologies in conservation in NZ, as well as the effect of social, cultural, political and economic factors. Available from Triple Helix Resources triplehelix@slingshot.co.nz for $44. GAW info for schools

Resources

  1. Biology:
  2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
    • For those travelling to the HATA conference in Napier, SH 5 from Taupo is now open.
    • An article from Kia Ora magazine about a farmer growing crops for bird feed. https://7a3c073e.flowpaper.com/KiaOraMarch2023/#section=16
    • A latest issue of the NZ Journal of Agricultural Research contains articles on sorghum silage, herbicide resistance in plantain and urea as substitute for soybean meal for raising lambs.
  3. Earth & Space Science:
  4. Chemistry:
  5. Physics:
  6. Primary & intermediate:
    • The book Where the Weird Things Are follows an underwater robot, Meso, meeting some weird and wonderful creatures as it explores the deep ocean. Written by ocean scientists, the story helps kids embrace their inner weirdness and come to see diversity as a strength.
    • A ppt on animal migration developed for a year 3 class. Migration year 3
  7.  Science:
  8. Links with NZ History:
    • Te Ara Wai: Journeys is a free, self-guided virtual tour of culturally significant sites throughout the Waipā district.  By Te Awamutu Museum. https://tearawai.nz/
  9.  STEM:
    • A new STEM Insights magazine from UK. Primary version here. Secondary version here.
  10. Te reo science resources

MoE

  1. MoE now has NCEA Implementation facilitators employed to work around the country. Here are the science ones with their MoE regions and home bases. They are available to help you in your school, just ask. Emails are first.last@education.govt.nz
    • Rachel Chisnall, Science/Chemistry, Te Tai Runga – working out of Dunedin
    • Ian McHale, Science/Chemistry, Te Tai Runga – working out of Lower Hutt
    • Nicola Foote, Science/Earth and Space Science, Te Tai Whenua – working out of Hamilton
    • Paula Calver, Science/Physics, Te Tai Raro – working out of Auckland
    • Linda Haycock, Science/Biology, Te Tai Raro – working out of Auckland & Northland (from T2)
  2. A report evaluating the pilots for NCEA Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau | Literacy and Numeracy https://ncea.education.govt.nz/whats-new/evaluation-completed-new-approach-ncea
  3. List of pilot schools https://ncea.education.govt.nz/2023-ncea-nzc-pilot-schools

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

  1. Education Hub webinars
    • Dr Heidi Leeson will discuss social-emotional learning & share her latest research on what has most impact on academic performance and the developmental stages of learners. Tues Apr 4 at 7:30 pm. Register here
    • Learning Hub webinar: Assoc Prof Te Kawehau Hoskins & Prof Alison Jones discuss approaches to teaching about indigenous knowledge. Recent paper here. Watch the webinar here.

Cheers, Mike

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