Pipiri Pānui/June Newsletter
Science Communicators Mike Stone and Jenny Rankine welcome your feedback and suggestions at comms@nzase.org.nz. ISSN 2703-5166
|
|
Growing kūmara
While there are few early varieties available today, kūmara was an important crop in the past. Mike Stone talks with one teacher about growing kūmara with her class and suggests some accompanying teaching and learning activities. Download this free resource.
|
|
|
Profile: Ornithologist Hokimate Harwood
Download our free profile of this multidisciplinary Ngāpuhi scientist, who has identified the feathers in all the feathered kākahu at Te Papa, and hopes to do the same for many of the 600 in national and international museums.
|
|
Dragon Man
A new hominid fossil, dubbed Dragon Man, was found in China in 2021. The results of its analysis, which includes possible links to Denisovans, are controversial. Mike Stone summarises what is known in our members-only resource. |
|
|
Building new school laboratories
Mike Stone talks to three leaders who have planned the building of new science laboratories, and draws out five key points to consider. Read this members-only resource. |
|
Wildlife sanctuaries
Our publicly available resource provides an overview of ecosanctuaries around the country, and the role they play in exploring ecology and conservation. |
|
NZASE primary and secondary PLD
Primary and secondary teachers can still join NZASE PLD clusters, network with others and learn more about local curriculum and Mātauranga Māori. It will be relevant no matter how far along the journey you are. See dates and register or email the facilitator for your region with any questions. |
|
|
Primary Science networking day
Registrations close on June 24 for this one-day event, Teaching Science: Making learning relevant inside and outside the classroom, from 9am-4pm on Monday July 11 in Auckland. It includes a range of presentations, focusing on climate change education, engaging with Mātauranga Māori in your programme and navigating the Health and Safety Guidelines. Speakers are Dr Sally Carson from the NZ Marine Studies Centre and Sian Carvell, Director of Future Curious. Register here: |
|
Webinars on the amended new standards
NZASE is running four webinars on the new Science standards, which were amended after piloting; see details of the current versions. Teachers involved in this year’s pilot will share their experience and answer questions. Please save the dates; webinar links will follow closer to the time.
| Standard |
Proposed webinar date |
| S1.1 Develop a science-informed response to a local socio-scientific issue |
Wed 22 June, 5pm (term 2, week 8) |
| S1.2 Use a range of scientific investigative approaches in a taiao context |
Wed 17 Aug, 5pm (term 3, week 4) |
| S1.3 Describe features of science in the development of a scientific idea in an Aotearoa/NZ or Pacific context |
Tues 15 Nov, 5pm (term 4, week 5) |
| S1.4 Demonstrate understanding of science claims in communicated information using māramatanga |
Tues 6 Sept, 5pm (term 3, week 7) |
|
|
|
|
Safety in Science webinars
NZASE is planning a series of online safety workshops in terms 2 to 4 for teachers; lab managers or HODs; technicians; and principals The first one is scheduled on July 5; details are on the NZASE website. Please express your interest here in those scheduled so far. |
|
Matariki
The reappearance of the Matariki star cluster signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. The new national Matariki holiday on June 24 is the first such official recognition of a traditional Maori event. Iwi celebrate Matariki at different times, such as on the first full moon after the star cluster rises or on the next new moon. For ideas on how to approach this season in science:
|
|
|
Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust
This trust, based around te Ātea a Rangi (a celestial compass) at Waitangi Regional Park near Clive in Hawke’s Bay, provides Mātauranga Māori programmes for teachers and classes, including PLD on traditional navigation, sailing and Pacific migrations; Māori astronomy; historic kōrero for the area; maara kai – traditional cultivated foods; and rongoā Māori. It sells a 47-page resource in English and te reo Māori ($8) in sets of 30, with a teacher guide ($20).
For primary and intermediate school groups it provides five-week Matariki programmes, with a whare whetū (portable planetarium); and five-week waka sailing programmes, as well as docked tours and kōrero on the voyaging waka Te Matau a Māui; and trips aboard the waka in the bay. See their Facebook page for Matariki events and details, or email info@atea.nz
|
|
|
2022 EPro8 Challenge
|
|
Marine science extension programmes
The Deep Thought Expedition is for Year 11 and 12 students, who are able and enthusiastic about science, or are gifted, not necessarily in the sciences. Applications close on June 19. Students spend five days (August 1-3 and 25-26) carrying out research on board a research vessel off Dunedin, mentored by postgraduate scientists. Up to three students per school, maximum 25 students, $50 (excluding GST) each. Download the application form.
Applications close on July 3 for a Year 9 and 10 programme by the NZ Marine Studies Centre involving four days studying pāua with scientists in Dunedin, on August 16-17 and Sept 1-2. It is open to Year 9 and 10 Pasifika students who are able and enthusiastic about science or gifted, not necessarily in the sciences.
|
|
|
|
ChemEd / BioLive conference
|
|
|
Young Reporters for the Environment
Students aged 11+ are invited to use media writing, photography or video to report on litter, waste or environmental pollution. Late school registrations are still accepted. Submissions are due by August 4. |
|
Photography competition
The deadline for entries for the 2022 NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year competition is July 13, 2022. The competition includes an exhibition, audience voting and an awards night, including one for photographers under 25, on September 30. Categories include Landscape, PhotoStory, Wildlife, Society, Aerial, Built Environment, and Adventure. Entry is free for those under 25; see details and enter. |
|
Doc Edge schools programme
The annual Doc Edge festival screens two education films each in Auckland, June 22-23, and Wellington, June 30 – July 1, as well as a virtual classroom for online documentaries you can watch any time between June 1 and July 10. Films of interest include Into the Ice about climate change research in Greenland; and Whetū Mārama/Bright Star about Sir Hekenukumai Busby and the renaissance of waka hourua and celestial navigation (Civic, June 24). |
|
|
|
Our next pānui is due out in the holidays on Rāhina Hōngongoi / Monday July 11.
|
|
|
|
|
