Our pānui for Tīhema reflects on what we’ve accomplished – along with ideas to keep ākonga engaged and learning until the final bell!
Haere rā to 2024
As the year winds down, we’d like to say a huge thank you to you all for your work and interest in science and pūtaiao in Aotearoa. Although the education landscape is always dynamic, this year has had its challenges in both educational and scientific spaces, so your continued support is appreciated.
Highlights from the year
We’ve added over 600 resources to our site this year! Many are the results of collaborations with classroom teachers. They’ve been tried and tested in schools and kura across the motu – from year 1 to year 13.
So many of our new resources are underpinned by mātauranga Māori – it’s been an honour to work with kairangahau who have generously shared their knowledge with us.
And, as our core purpose is to tell the stories of science research and pūtaiao – our thanks to scientists and science organisations for their contributions. It’s exciting that the Hub is continually seen as the go-to site for science education and communication!
Keeping students engaged
The term isn’t over yet – so make use of some of our simple activities. They can be scaled up or down, depending on year-level, and many have cross-curricular components with literacy, art and technology. Take advantage of warm weather and take the learning outdoors:
- Investigating movement and sound with a pūrerehua – physics meets technological design
- DIY classification systems – using leaves or other objects collected at school or home
- Floating and sinking – use this interactive prior to hands-on investigations.
Bug of the year
Insects and other critters are plentiful this time of year. Go on a bug hunt or investigate some of the 21 species nominated for Bug of the Year. Use the delightful Fred the Thread poem to launch your own poems and poets. Or get inspired with some of insects featured in this curation.
Not your usual gifts
An illustrated poem, like the one above, can make for a bespoke more fun/less stuff gift. Other options include:
- adopt a star at Space Place or Stardome
- something from the Hub's Science gift Pinterest board
- make some lava fudge
- or perhaps choose an experience from our 2024/25 summer holidays events listing.
Keep in touch
A reminder to those of you who are changing schools – please remember to update your email address, (under details in your profile), so we can stay in touch and you don't lose your collections or favourites. Please email us at enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz if you have any questions.
Happy holidays from the Hub Team
Follow us
We offer added value through our social media. Contact us about creating collections or boards tailored to your needs. We can help foster connections between the education and science communities.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nzsciencelearn
- Pinterest: nz.pinterest.com/nzsciencelearn
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sciencelearninghubnz
Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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