Our September pānui features sound, tidal communities, new Tongan climate change resources, topical citizen science and lots of resources to make your life easier. Find out about our upcoming PLD webinars.
New resources and support for learning at home or at school
If you think it’s a bit quiet around the motu, make some noise with Exploring sound, our latest update to the Building Science Concepts series. Sound is a great context for exploring waves and energy transformations. The Hub has at-home sound activities that range from the early years to secondary levels.
Our current favourite is Investigating movement and sound with a pūrerehua. Students can use a variety of materials to design and make a model pūrerehua (bullroarer), then take it outside to experiment with speed and pitch.
We’ve also published Tidal communities – the companion to Life between the tides. Both resources focus on key concepts, pedagogy and te ao Māori connections, and have links to relevant resources. Check out the activity Beach visits – habitats and food webs – great planning for the warmer terms.
Tongan Language Week
Celebrate Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e lea faka-Tonga with this new content:
- Ko e ha ‘a e feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘ea? – article
- Ko e feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘ea – ko e talanoa fakakoloa – activity
These new resources have been developed to support Tongan students in New Zealand and Tonga to engage in a meaningful way with climate change learning.
Citizen science – outdoors and online
Check out our citizen science section. Uniquely New Zealand projects, which can be done at home or in your neighbourhood, include Myrtle Rust Reporter, The Great Kiwi Earthworm Survey and The Great Kererū Count (last year for this one). Or you can help out with the New Zealand Bird Atlas, part of the worldwide eBird project. There are also online options – many of which provide relevant, engaging and useful learning for secondary students.
Free PLD webinars
Having fun with the science capabilities
If the science curriculum (and life in general) feels a bit overwhelming, let Dr Maurice Cheng and Greta Dromgool lighten things up as they demonstrate a playful approach to the science capabilities.
Date and time: 16 September 2021, 4:00–4:45 pm
Register here.
Tame Malcolm – indigenous pest management
Hear Tame Malcom’s story of how mātauranga and science come together in his work and study. This session will be valuable for upper primary and secondary school teachers, and anyone interested in mātauranga, science and pest management.
Date and time: 23 September 2021, 4:00–4:45 pm
Register here.
Support for distance learning
For educators and parents, we have resources to help you. This article curates our:
- ‘Grab and go’ ready-to-use, cross-curricular worksheets – a whole day’s planning in one place
- Home Learning TV episodes
- Specific COVID-19 resources.
We also have age-appropriate learning at home resources. Begin with Ideas to deepen learning – it has helpful questions and suggestions that can be used with learners of any age.
- Learning science from home – early childhood
- Learning science from home – lower primary
- Learning science from home – middle primary
- Learning science from home – upper primary
- Learning science from home – secondary
We’re here to help
As always, supporting educators is our priority. Contact us if you need any help, such as assistance with creating collections, lesson planning, Pinterest boards tailored to your needs or more. You can email us enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz or contact us via one of our social media channels, see the list below.
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Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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