Te Pānui o Mei*/May Newsletter

PM’s Science Teacher Prize-winner
We're delighted that NZASE President Doug Walker, Science HOD at St Patrick’s College, Wellington, was awarded the 2022 Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao Science Teacher Prize last night. It's for engaging his students with innovative (and often explosive) experiments; building a large online student audience with experiments; encouraged 60 percent more SPC students to take science in the senior school by introducing new general science subjects. He has also established a network of teachers providing online NCEA tutorial classes for ākonga around the motu. He’s also active in the Capital City Science Educators.
Benji Smith, from Onslow College in 2022, won the PM's Future Scientist Prize for his research into mathematically modelling the behaviour of twisted elastic bands.

This new form of concrete has been developed to help with flooding in urban areas. Although the chemistry is complex, the basic principles are easily explained. We provide some practical activities in our publicly available resource.

It’s the season for these popular fruit, which provide lots of potential for science learning. They are useful in plant reproduction, our science research on plants, plant pests, and other contexts. Mike Stone shares what we know about feijoas in our members-only article.

New: Volcanologist profile
Jonathan Procter (Muaūpoko, Ngāti Apa, Ngāi Tahu) leads major research programmes into volcanic flows, forecasting eruptions and building resilience, drawing on mātauranga Maori and creating new geographic information systems (GIS). Read the publicly available profile.

The Doppler effect can be used to detect aspects of blood flow and tissue changes that help doctors diagnose illness. Mike Stone investigates this interesting application of physics in our publicly available resource.

There’s a lot you could do for Primary Science Week.Check out NZAPSE’s page with links to Ctizen Science ideas and activities, webinars and everything you’ll need to engage your ākonga.

Wellington Science education mini-expo
Primary, intermediate and secondary science teachers will be able to talk with more than 20 LEOTC providers and science education organisations at this expo in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. It will be held on Mei/May 10 at St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie from 3.45-5.30pm. Sign up here for updates or if you want to exhibit. 

Papa Taiao Earthcare courses
This PTE runs practical courses in sustainability education in many locations for NCEA L2 and 3, including predator and pest control, apiculture, fencing and environmental regeneration. See their Term 2 short courses, and consider negotiating a long course for your ākonga. 

LEARNZ online field trip
The stories behind Ngāti Maniapoto place names are explored in this virtual field trip, including videos, a Google Earth tour, background material and quizzes, available from 15 May. It encourages inquiries into the significance and stories of place names in students’ own rohe.

Nature at your place
This free, three-session programme by Zealandia in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington includes a sanctuary visit, with pre- and post-visits (~2h ea.) for 50 students in Yrs 1-13 at decile 1-6 schools. Learning outcomes can suit teacher objectives: eg, connecting students with the natural world; learning about native species; supporting native wildlife in school grounds, kickstarting a school project, or inspiring students to support native flora in their community. Email for details.

PLD: Molecular biology for teachers
The Queenstown Molecular Biology conference returns on August 28-30 after a Covid hiatus. Australasia’s largest scientist conference focuses on nanotechnology applications in health, agriculture, and other areas. Professor David Julius, 2021 Nobel Prize winner, gives the first keynote. Teachers can apply for three scholarships to attend by June 6, which pay for travel, accommodation, registration and the conference dinner, but not relief.  

Biosecurity laboratory outreach
The Plant Health and Environment Laboratory in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, which is responsible for identifying exotic pests and diseases affecting our environment, wants to support teachers in the Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato regions on biosecurity, and connect with their students about its work and careers. They are keen to hear from teachers about the best ways to do that, including laboratory open days and individual visits. Email David Waite or Jeremy Thompson.

*Names of months in te reo
Astronomer and Mātauranga Māori expert Professor Rangi Matāmua recommends using transliterations of Gregorian months, rather than te reo Māori names for lunar months, because they refer to different periods. See the differences here.