Pipiri pānui / June newsletter
Email Science Communicators Mike Stone and Jenny Rankine with your feedback and suggestions.
ISSN 2703-5166
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UNIQUE NZASE RESOURCES
Using Mātauranga Māori to sample kōura
In another of our series on combining Mātauranga Māori and Western science, Johnny Fraser of Nelson College explains how students used bundles of whakaweku (bracken) and whitebait nets to sample kōura (freshwater crayfish). Download this publicly-available resource.
Teaching genetics without Punnett squares
One teacher explains how to introduce students to traits that are influenced by more than one gene, to understanding the role of proteins, and using the concept of risk rather than causation. Download this members-only resource.
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ESS PLD
ESSENZ is running free all-day PLD workshops in three centres in June and July, with financial assistance available for rural and isolated teachers and those new to Earth and Space Science. They run in New Plymouth on Friday June 25; Christchurch on Friday July 2; and Hamilton on Thursday July 8. To register or apply for financial assistance email Jenny Pollock, stating which workshop you want to register or get assistance for.
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Contribute to the Primary Science Conference
The NZ Association of Primary Science Educators (NZAPSE) seeks teachers to share their classroom science approaches at their one-day conference on Teaching Primary Science on October 2 in Auckland. See the call for presenters here; the deadline is Sunday July 25. Conference speakers are Dr Sally Carson from the NZ Marine Studies Centre and Lorraine Spiller from NZCER. The day focuses on developing science capabilities, incorporating Mātauranga Māori into teaching programmes, and navigating Health and Safety Guidelines for events outside the classroom. Register here by September 3; PPTA members can apply for costs here. |
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The New Zealand Institute of Physics will host this forum on 12-14 July in Wellington, including over 100 workshops, talks and poster presentations covering the latest physics research and teaching methods. Speakers include Professor Cather Simpson, Dr Craig Rofe, Associate Professor Ben Ruck, Dr Michele Bannister, Dr Tim Haskell and Dr Michael Johnston. Register here.
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2021 Garden Bird Survey
The popular New Zealand Garden Bird Survey from June 26 - July 4 can be done as a class activity or at home. It can be built into the curriculum through animal classification, population studies, hypothesis testing, data gathering, data analysis and report writing, and can contribute to a Science Badge, the Duke of Edinburgh award and Science Fair entries. Students can also earn a DOC Kiwi Guardian medal for completing the survey. |
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Ngā Kete Mātauranga - Māori researchers
Ask your library for this book edited by Jacinta Ruru and Linda Waimarie Nikora, with stories from 24 Māori academics about how Mātauranga Māori is positively influencing Western-dominated knowledge disciplines. It provides a portal into te ao Māori for those wanting to know more about Māori world views.
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Squawk Squad primary resources
Conservation group Squawk Squad's teacher resources are now publicly available although the group has closed down. They include an 8-week environmental education programme exploring Antarctica and Climate Change, as well as multiple Conservation Week programmes with resources and lesson plans from 2017 - 2019. |
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Fight for the wild videos
Fight for the wild is a four-part video (45m) and podcast (25m) series exploring the goal of a Predator Free 2050 in Aotearoa. It examines the devastating impact of introduced mammals on our wildlife; what it will take to rid our country of rats, stoats and possums by 2050; what communities and researchers are doing; and the breakthrough technologies and innovations taking us towards that goal. Find your local Predator Free groups here.
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Survey on primary school greenspaces
MSc student Abigail Cunninghame is keen to hear from primary teachers about the ecological condition and uses of their school’s greenspaces, which are becoming more vital for a connection with nature in urban areas. Abigail aims to help use these spaces to benefit students, staff and the wider community. Take the ~15m online survey with a chance at three $50 prezzy cards. Email her or see the research webpage. |
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NEW EXHIBITIONS
Reef Alive at Te Puke Ariki
Reef Alive! is a new exhibition space in the Taranaki Naturally Gallery in New Plymouth, available for all year levels. It focuses on a reef off the South Taranaki coast, where marine scientists have been investigating the busy underwater environment. Visitors can sail out to the reef without leaving the shore to meet its fascinating inhabitants. Book classes here
MOTAT Love / Science exhibition
From July 9, MOTAT’s new exhibition uses digital, hands-on activities, and film to explore innovation in Aotearoa, highlighting the science behind Antarctic adventures, harakeke surfboards, the humble cup of tea, medical milestones and more. MOTAT’s educators can customise programmes to fit your classes; click to email them. |
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Events related to Science teaching
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