17 Apr	World Haemophilia day http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=492
18 Apr	Chemistry workshop Wellington from SCENZ. Register here
20 Apr	Chemistry workshop Christchurch from SCENZ. Register here
20 Apr	Total Solar Eclipse, peak 01:34 pm
21 Apr	Chemistry workshop Auckland from SCENZ. Register here
21 Apr	Awa, Ngakau, Pekapeka field experience, 5-7pm. Email Natasha to register
22 Apr	Earth day www.earthday.net
24Apr-5May	A Teacher Only Day in these 2 weeks https://ncea.education.govt.nz/teacher-only-days
25 Apr	World Penguin day https://www.calendarr.com/united-kingdom/world-penguin-day/
25 Apr	World malaria Day http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/malaria/en/index.html
26Apr1986*	Chernobyl nuclear explosion Link here.
28 Apr	Save the frogs day https://savethefrogs.com/day/ www.nzfrogs.org/
Moon	NM Apr 20      1Q Apr 28      FM May 6      3Q May 13

1. Bioengineering the Future is a free event at the Cloud 9-14 May. They have spaces for groups of up to 100 students to visit the exhibition. Contact Nina at n.pettersson-fox@auckland.ac.nz to book.
2. The theme for this year’s Primary Science week (8-12 May) is Citizen Science.
   • Why not practice with iNaturalist in the holidays so you can use it with students next term? Step-by-step instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xENz1xRu0wI
   • Interactive webinar about real-world citizen science projects for tracking biodiversity at home. For learners of all ages. Thurs, 20 April, 8 pm ET [21 Apr 12pm NZT] Register here.
3. Auckland Writers Festival 16-21 May in the Aotea Centre has some science events to check out.
   • Th 18 May, event #6, But What can we do? Climate change discussion includes Shaun Hendy. 5:50-6:30, Kiri Te Kanawa theatre
   • Sat 20 May, #46, 1000 years forward, 1000 years back. Indigenous knowledge for living now. 1-2pm, Waitakere Room.
   • Sat 20 May, #49, The Book of Roads & Kingdoms. A mix of things including Islamic science. 2:30-3:30 pm, Kiri te Kanawa Theatre
   • Sun 21 May, #70, The Road to Gondwana. NHNZ film maker. 11:30am-12:30pm, Hunua Room
4. Tūhura Tuarangi is an interactive space showcase designed to excite students in yrs 5 to 9 about space, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, and space-related careers. Visiting locations in the North Island Apr-Oct. Dates & venues for Wgtn, Rotorua, Ak & PN here.
5. Cafe Scientifique Tauranga: Net Zero: the dream and the reality, April 24 at 7 PM. Register soon because space is limited. Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive
6. Public lecture by Dr Tim Payn on Cyclones, Land Use & Forestry, Wed 3 May, 6-7pm at Royal Society Te Apārangi, 11 Turnbull St, Wellington

Info

1. Mātauranga Māori
   • The SLH article Can customary harvesting of NZ’s native species be sustainable? Shows how drawing on mātauranga and science creates a powerful knowledge base to help managers make robust and evidence-based decisions about harvesting practices for mahinga kai.
   • How the University of York set about decolonising its chemistry curriculum. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00644-7
2. HoD:
   • Carly Fiorina on leading in a time of change https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/preserve-best-carly-fiorina

Resources

1. Biology:
   • Science Learning Hub has an article about a new species of NZ gecko – the discovery and naming as well as how we can take action to protect this taonga species.
   • Activity camouflaging a butterfly in your classroom https://www.facebook.com/100070122466091/videos/753774452874689/
2. Agricultural and Horticultural Science:
   • Country Calendar, all 199 episodes https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/country-calendar
   • Grow tomatoes from seed https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/Resources/Activity/Tomato-crop-sheet
3. Earth & Space Science:
   • PBS lesson on solar eclipse for the event next Thurs. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/buac18-68-sci-ess-expsolareclipse-lp/experience-a-solar-eclipse-lesson-plan/
   • Videos about identifying minerals – part 1 from observations and part 2 from tests.
4. Chemistry:
   • Article on the chemistry of making paper https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/the-complex-chemistry-of-making-paper/4017234.article (register to access 2 free articles a month)
   • Ferrocene and molecular sandwiches https://cen.acs.org/content/dam/cen/101/10/WEB/10110-feature5.pdf
5. Physics:
   • Using smartphone accelerometer apps on a roller coaster https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=14180
   • AI avatar of Newton explaining his theory of gravity https://www.facebook.com/doctorharves/videos/1214762829430532?idorvanity=346737702172016
6. Primary & intermediate:
   • Explorify’s toolkit for science leaders https://explorify.uk/teacher-support/toolkit (free to join)
   • A reading on bird migration for year 7/8, from a NZ perspective: Bird Migration for year 7
7. Education for Sustainability (EfS):
   • This SLH infographic highlights a few of the connections between our actions & the NZ climate and the effects the changes are having on the environment, our country and our wellbeing.
8.  STEM:
   • The Daily STEM is a 1-page resource published monthly with a news story, STEM career, challenge, puzzle & mystery photo. Download PDFs of every issue at dailystem.com/news
9. Links with NZ History:
   • He reo nō te puehu – A voice from the dust is a virtual reality experience from SLH showing Lake Moawhitu before Humans, during Māori Settlement, today and in the Future 2122.

MoE/NZQA

1. Science is being refreshed this year and the MoE Curriculum Refresh team are looking for schools to ‘fast test’ the drafts between 29 May and 9 June. This will involve an introductory webinar (1h), a discussion with your colleagues (1h) & completing a short survey. If interested, please contact NationalCurriculum.Refresh@education.govt.nz

Vacancy

1. Education Perfect needs an upper primary teacher to help advise content development, giving feedback to ensure their lessons are making a difference in the classroom. If you love creating content that inspires & engages our young people, are passionate about STEAM, & have a flair for organisation and attention to detail, apply now. https://educationperfect.bamboohr.com/careers/212

Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities

1. Apply for Regionally allocated PLD by 12 May. You’ll be notified of the outcome by wk 8 so you can contact a PLD facilitator & plan to start delivery in term 3. Secondary schools can use this PLD to support the implementation of NCEA (in the ‘Local Curriculum Design’ priority).

Cheers, Mike

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