Haere rā to 2024
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.
Kuia and moko
A kuia shares generational knowledge and understanding with her mokopuna.
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!
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.
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.
Fred the moth
Fred the Thread is a caterpillar that grows into a small but beautiful moth. Each adult is less than half a centimetre long with a wingspan of only 12 mm.
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
Meri Kirihimete from the Hub team
Meri Kirihimete from the Hub team, thank you for all your support throughout 2024. Have a wonderful festive break and see you in 2025!
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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