Our February pānui introduces oodles of new resources and two webinars that will boost your science teaching.
New content: Mātauranga Māori, extremophiles, enzymes, and dairy farming
The Hub welcomes a new school year with a wealth of new resources. They join the more than 10,000 resources on our site!
Mātauranga Māori – innovative examples of science and technology
Discover how marine researcher Kura Paul-Burke used mātauranga ā iwi (local knowledge) as a starting point to restore kuku (mussel) beds in Ōhiwa Harbour. The research team enlisted weaving experts to create mussel ropes from natural fibres to encourage new kuku populations and to avoid creating microplastics.
February is the month for gathering rimurapa (bull kelp) to make pōhā – robust, airtight bags used to hold and preserve nga tītī (muttonbirds) for up to 2 years.
Extremophiles – making enzymes cool
Enzymes are biocatalysts that make things happen fast. This animation provides a visual explanation about how they catalyse cellular processes.
Take enzymes to another level by delving into extremophilic organisms – microbes that live in environments considered hostile to most forms of life. They have unique enzymes not found in other living things. Molecular biologist Adele Williamson discusses the challenges in finding extremophilic microbes and why she is investigating their DNA repair systems. This simple activity enables students to extract DNA from something much easier to source – a tomato.
Dairy farming, science and sustainability
Term 1 is ideal for farm visits. This interactive houses resources for year 11 students produced by Lincoln University. Dairying, science and sustainability – a context for learning provides curriculum links and information about Lincoln University’s demonstration farms in both the North and South Islands.
Free PLD
Join us for upcoming webinars. Both sessions will be valuable for primary and secondary school teachers.
- Science support at your fingertips demonstrates new developments on the Hub, including Google classroom accessibility, the interactive glossary, collections tool and new content.
Date: 17 February, 4:00–4:45 pm
- Local curriculum, mātauranga and science features Shawn Cooper on how to develop a local curriculum and what embedding mātauranga Māori into the science classroom could look like.
Date: 3 March, 4:00–4:45 pm
All of our webinars are archived and are available for viewing at a time that suits you. In addition, our PLD section has resources to help with planning and pedagogy.
Check out our latest article: Strengthening science learning. It highlights common themes that support effective science teaching and learning.
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
- Twitter: www.twitter.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. Any comments, ideas and/or feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
See all news