Our pānui for Māehe features the enduring competencies for science learning and new resources, which explain and support their development in the classroom.
New content to support topical issues
There’s a lot happening in the science and education spaces and we have new content to help inform and navigate these challenges.
Enduring competencies for designing science learning pathways
Dr Rosemary Hipkins joined us in a recorded webinar to discuss the concept of enduring competencies – competencies that can shape science education and better prepare ākonga to draw on their science learning as they address challenges in their lives beyond their school years.
For those who have yet to watch the webinar or read the research report, the four competencies are:
- Drawing on different knowledge systems
- Enacting a range of science inquiry practices
- Working with literacy practices of science
- Using science for decision making and action.
We’ve new resources to support these competencies – with lots more under development!
Drawing on mātauranga and science
We’ve added new resources to the Lakes380 suite. The article He reo nō te puehu – A voice from the dust explores the kotahitanga (collaboration) to restore Lake Moawhitu. Evidence from sediment cores supports the oral histories of local iwi Ngāti Koata – and looks even further back in time before people were present in Aotearoa. The mātauranga and scientific data were used to build a browser-based virtual experience: He reo nō te puehu – A voice from the dust. The 360-degree virtual worlds illustrate changes to the catchment and inspire hope for its restoration. This activity helps users navigate and deepen engagement with the virtual experience. The central issues explored in this mahi will be common for many roto in Aotearoa.
The article Can customary harvesting of NZ’s native species be sustainable? also draws on mātauranga and science to create a powerful knowledge base to help managers make robust and evidence-based decisions about harvesting practices for mahinga kai.
The literacy practices of science
Literacy in science focuses on the literacy skills needed for science communication and to access science information. Science communication has its own conventions and specialist vocabulary. It’s also multimodal – supported by diagrams and graphs. Take a closer look at how science is communicated in the following articles:
- Artificial intelligence offers simple explanations of quite complex technologies – using Minecraft analogies.
- A year on, we know why the Tongan eruption was so violent provides insights that are illustrated with excellent diagrams.
- Understanding infographics provides background information on how they are constructed and why they are useful communication tools.
Reading graphs in science and Using our glossary offer pedagogical help for explicitly teaching science literacies.
Using science for decision making and action
Awareness, innovation, ethical thinking and problem solving often underpin action. March is World Hearing Month and the article Helping you to hear better discusses hearing loss, helpful technologies and why we need to look after our ears.
Meet te mokomoko a Tohu: a new species of New Zealand gecko hidden in plain sight – it’s a great story about discovery, deciding how to name a new species and taking action to protect taonga species.
Become involved with the citizen science project Infection Inspection. Look inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics and decide whether it might be resistant or sensitive to an antibiotic.
National science educators conference SCICON23!
SCICON23 – the national biennial science education conference is back to face-to-face. Come along and experience amazing field trips, workshops, keynotes and more. Early bird registrations are open until 28 March. Secondary and primary educators – this conference is for you and if you are interested in science and science education you are welcome to attend this awesome collaborative experience. See you there!
The Hub team will be also supporting Science in a Van’s Hive Mind webinar. Join us on the new date 4 May 2023 from 4:00–4:45 pm for this lively event looking at citizen science.
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 we would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
See all news