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New resources and ideas to support learning at home and school

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.

Examples of pūrerehua made from a flax stem and a plastic lid.

Pūrerehua examples

These are examples of pūrerehua made from a flax stem and a plastic lid. Traditional pūrerehua are made from bone, wood or stone. Pūrerehua (also known as bullroarers) demonstrate the relationship between movement and sound.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

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:

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.

Myrtle Rust Reporter citizen science project image

Myrtle Rust Reporter

Help is needed to monitor the spread of myrtle rust.

Illustration by Giselle Clarkson.

Rights: Scion

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.

Some of the things you could use in a mystery box activity.

Mystery box equipment

Some of the things you could use in a mystery box activity.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

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.

A smiling Tame Malcolm sitting with arms crossed

Tame Malcolm

Tame Malcolm (Te waka o Te Arawa, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Whakaue) is interested in te ao Māori views and values on pest control.

Rights: Te Rawhitiroa Photography

Support for distance learning

For educators and parents, we have resources to help you. This article curates our:

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.

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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Published: 9 September 2021