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Mahuru / September newsletter

NZASE welcomes short articles about research and pedagogy for use as resources for teachers. Send any feedback and suggestions about this newsletter to Science Communicators Mike Stone and Jenny Rankine at comms@nzase.org.nz.

Contents

Register for your own NZASE account

This newsletter is the first of many to carry members-only content. Individual teachers can register for free to access this content on the NZASE website, if their school is a member. Membership also entitles teachers to free PLD workshops under the Networks of Expertise funding. Individual teachers in member schools can access Special Interest Groups for Primary Science, Chemistry*, Biology, Physics*, Earth and Space Science and technicians groups* (* Chemistry, Physics and the technicians group charge an additional fee). Individual teachers can join as members. Register here.

Using Minecraft in the science classroom

Chemistry teacher Rachel Chisnall outlines some of the ways in which the free game programme Minecraft EDU can be used to illustrate a range of science principles, while enabling students to demonstrate their learning visually (members-only content - if you can't reach this, please register on the NZASE site).

Research resource - Speciation in native feather lice

Professors Mary Morgan-Richards and Steve Trewick of Massey University outline how parasitic feather lice living on our native birds develop new species after their hosts become geographically isolated (allopatric speciation). Download this members-only research resource for Level 8 and Scholarship Biology (if you can't reach this, please register on the NZASE site).

Neuroscientist Donna Rose Addis profiled

At school in South Auckland, Samoan/Pālagi student Donna Rose Addis didn’t think of going to university. Then she was awarded a scholarship and er path changed again in a Psychology class when she became fascinated by how the brain works. She is now a renowned neuroscientist and memory researcher in Canada. Read our latest scientist profile here (member-only content - if you can't reach this, please register on the NZASE site).

Resources in te reo Māori

The Science Learning Hub’s webinar Opportunities for te reo Māori shares ideas and resources for teachers wanting to increase the amount of te reo Māori in their classrooms. See their page of resources in te reo

Achievement Standards review trial: Level 1 Science

The review of Achievement Standards and curriculum support resources for Level 1 Science will enable user testing and opportunities for teacher feedback later this year. Read about the process here.

China experience for science teachers

Science teachers have until November 6 to apply for up to 12 professional development opportunities in China through the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The trip, from March 21 to 26, 2020, will enable science and digital technology teachers to see how their subjects are taught in Guangzhou, China, and experience Chinese science and digital technology industries. Apply here.

DOC’s competition for primary students

The Department of Conservation competition - 50 things to do before you’re 12¾ - asks students aged up to 13 to submit their favourite outdoor activities by October 13. Students can write or draw their entries, and winning artwork will contribute to a poster of 50 things in a classic Kiwi childhood. Prizes include 50 ‘get out into nature’ prize packs. See details here.
 

Cross-curricular assessment survey

Masters student and Otago physics teacher Mary Rabbidge is asking science teachers about their interest in assessing science knowledge through creative story-telling assessments, such as podcasts, short videos, animations, infographics or song lyrics. Such assessments could allow learners to earn NCEA credits with work that reflects their strengths. Her Masters project aims to provide resources that help teachers provide creative cross-curricular assessment of science standards. Take her 10-minute survey.

Name a planet and star

New Zealand students of all ages are invited to name a planet and the star it orbits in a competition by the International Astronomical Union. Entries can be in te reo Maori and English. The planet, HD 137388b, is a gas giant that orbits an orange dwarf star, HD 137388, in the constellation Apus, 132 light years from Earth. Enter here.

Apply for Prime Minister’s Science prizes

Registered teachers who have taught Science and Pūtaiao curricula in primary, intermediate or secondary schools have until Thursday, October 10 to apply for the $150,000 Prime Minister’s Science Teacher prize. The winner receives $50,000 and their school $100,000 for the development of science. Applicants have to show evidence of their teaching achievements in the previous five years, and the winner will be announced in March 2020. Apply here.
Year 12 or 13 Science and Pūtaiao students who have carried out an outstanding science research project can apply for the $50,000 Prime Minister’s Future Scientist prize by Friday, October 25. Apply here.

ConSTANZ19

Just over 100 technicians will attend the Science Technicians Association of NZ annual conference in Wellington on October 8-10, including six from Australia. Workshops include assessment changes, the new laboratory experiment programme Lablogger, the Laboratory Manager role, pay equity with other qualified school support staff, and the first redrafting of the Ministry of Education’s Safety and Science manual since 2000. Registrations have closed; email the organisers here.

Children and science learning - Churchill Fellowship 

Past NZASE President Chris Duggan’s Churchill Fellowship enabled her to visit PLD and science centres in Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland and England. An NZASE grant also enabled her to attend the Primary Science Educators Conference in Edinburgh. Read her recommendations of what is needed to improve the quality and amount of science in primary schools here (23-page PDF, 1.5Mb).

Mahuru / September events relevent to Science

Save the date for SciCon from March 20-22 at Unitec in Auckland - registration will open soon. See our website list of October events around the country for teachers and students.
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