BAY SCIENCE

Connecting Bay of Plenty Science Educators

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Latest Spotlight

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

HATA and Sow the Seed invite kaiako to join the Term 4 Regional Hubs for AgriEducation. With new resources, Mātiki Minecraft tutorials, and updates from Muka Tangata, these hubs provide vital support for teachers nationwide.

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

Kaiako Opportunities

1 hour ago1 min read

Rūaumoko: Restless Land

General News

2 hours ago2 min read

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Science Curriculum Refresh

2 days ago1 min read

The energy in the room reflected the enthusiasm and passion teachers bring to creating authentic learning opportunities for their ākonga.

Kaiako Unite for Mātauranga Māori and Science Design Fair 2026

Kaiako Opportunities

4 days ago5 min read

Practice makes permanent, and Aqueous Chemistry in NCEA Level 3 is full of opportunities to practice calculations.

NCEA Level 3 Aqueous Chemistry Tool from Mat Synge, Aquinas College

General News

5 days ago1 min read

Rows of kiwifruit vines on an orchard in Te Puke, representing the importance of Agricultural and Horticultural Science in preparing rangatahi for careers in the primary industries

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Educator Association Updates

5 days ago1 min read

Education for Sustainability has been removed from the senior subject list.

Education for Sustainability Removed from Senior Subject List

Educator Association Updates

7 days ago2 min read

Table showing confirmed New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) science subjects for Years 11–13, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, and Primary Industry, with a note that two new science subjects are still to be confirmed

Senior Secondary Science Subjects for Years 11-13 for the New Zealand Curriculum

Science Curriculum Refresh

7 days ago1 min read

Recloaking the Bay

General News

Sep 71 min read

See All Spotlight Articles

RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

SheENG at Waikato

SheENG at Waikato is a free three-day residential programme for young women keen to explore engineering — hands-on labs, industry mentors, and a true taste of campus life in Hamilton.

SheENG at Waikato

Climate Ambassador Programme 2026

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā 2025: Mātauranga Māori and Science Fair Winners Announced

Young New Zealander of the Year | Te Mātātahi o te Tau 2025

More Rangatahi Opportunities

KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2025

Biology teachers across Aotearoa are invited to the Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2025, coming to Tauranga on 4 November. Hosted with BEANZ, this nationwide series connects kaiako with leading scientists to explore new frontiers in biology—from synthetic biology and antibiotic resistance to conservation and energy. A chance to deepen subject knowledge, link directly to NCEA standards, and bring fresh insights back to inspire rangatahi.

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

Kaiako Unite for Mātauranga Māori and Science Design Fair 2026

Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2025

Exploring Life’s Origins – A Geothermal Field Day for Primary Teachers

More Kaiako Opportunities

EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Agribusiness in Schools and Sow the Seed express deep concern over the Ministry of Education’s decision to remove Agricultural & Horticultural Science and Agribusiness as standalone senior secondary subjects, warning of risks to Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary industries talent pipeline.

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Education for Sustainability Removed from Senior Subject List

Educator Association Updates | September

Educator Association Updates | August

More Educator Association Updates

KAIAKO HIGHLIGHT

Kaiako Highlight: Jim Critchley

Jim Critchley is an Earth and Space Science educator who thrives on creating those chance encounters that open doors for students. Whether it’s connecting learners with industry, organising field trips that make science tangible, or guiding rangatahi to think critically in an information-rich world, Jim’s teaching is about sparking curiosity and showing how science and technology evolve together.

Kaiako Highlight: Whaea Tania Jackson

Introducing Whaea Tania Jackson, a secondary school kaiako of science and te reo Māori, and an emerging curriculum leader in kaupapa Māori. Her mahi spans both the classroom and the wider community, where she plays a pivotal role in the Tauranga Moana Māori Teachers’ Association.

Kaiako Highlight: Sky Smale

Meet Sky Smale, an educator, artist, and environmental advocate involved with the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust and Paraiti Catchment Care Group.

SCIENTIST HIGHLIGHT

Te Reo o Te Repo was created to give voice to our wetlands through the voices of our people, raising awareness of wetland values and restoration from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Tuihonoa Te Reo o Te Repo was developed in response to kaiako who wanted to support ākonga to become kaitiaki of their local repo. Yvonne with fellow co-editors, Cheri van Schravendijk-Goodman and Dr Bev Clarkson. Source: Image supplied, © Yvonne Taura

Scientist Highlight: Yvonne Taura

Freshwater ecologist Yvonne Taura (Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Uenuku, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) didn’t always see herself in science. Now her mahi is reshaping how kaiako, kairangahau, and communities think about wetlands, mātauranga Māori, and the purpose of science education in Aotearoa.

Lizzie Thompson conducting a diving survey as part of her marine science research.

Scientist Highlight: Lizzie Thompson | Marine Science

Marine scientist Lizzie Thompson is exploring how marine ecosystems recover after disruption. Find out how her work at Otāiti/Astrolabe Reef can support real-world science learning in your classroom—and what it’s really like to do fieldwork beneath the waves!

Juliet Linzmeier, a Master of Environmental Science student at Tauranga's Coastal Marine Field Station, is helping lay the groundwork for New Zealand’s emerging seaweed aquaculture industry. Our first Scientist Highlight aims to broaden the scope of curriculum and NCEA with real-world research examples, as well as capture researcher perspectives of what led them into STEM careers.

Scientist Highlight: Juliet Linzmeier | Marine Science

Juliet Linzmeier, a Master of Environmental Science student at Tauranga's Coastal Marine Field Station, is helping lay the groundwork for New Zealand’s emerging seaweed aquaculture industry. Our first Scientist Highlight aims to broaden the scope of curriculum and NCEA with real-world research examples, as well as capture researcher perspectives of what led them into STEM careers.

PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES

Pre-professional science education itself will have to morph as the traditional boundaries of physics, chemistry and biology are changing...

...I suspect that, over the next decade, we will have to see a new grouping of scientific subjects at the secondary school level to meet the changing balance of science and technologies.

Gluckman, P. (2011, April). Looking ahead: Science education for the twenty‑first century [Report]. Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee. https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2021-10/pmcsa-Looking-ahead-Science-education-for-the-twenty-first-century.pdf

Reimagining science education: model wind turbines and solar panels help students connect scientific concepts to the complex socio-ecological challenges of the Anthropocene.

Science Education: Fit for the Future

In a world grappling with the climate change polycrisis, biodiversity loss, misinformation, and deepening inequality, the way we teach science must change—urgently. Our rangatahi are not just stepping into this world; they’re already living it. The latest editorial in Research in Science Education (White & Tytler, 2025) makes a compelling case: if school science is to remain relevant and impactful, it must evolve to meet the complex demands of our time.

Science Education: Fit for the Future

Screenshot of the Provocations for Science Educators interactive tool by Science Learning Hub, showing clickable prompts on topics like equity, context, and mātauranga Māori.

Provocations for Science Educators | Science Learning Hub

Sir Peter Gluckman speaking at Queens Wharf, Auckland, in his role as Chief Science Advisor to the New Zealand Prime Minister. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Looking Ahead: Science Education for the Twenty-First Century | Sir Peter Gluckman

More Pivotal Perspectives

EVENTS

CURRICULUM REFRESH

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Agricultural and Horticultural Science has been confirmed as a standalone, Ministry-led subject in the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum for Years 12–13. The decision ensures a science-based academic pathway for students and reaffirms the vital role of AgHort in Aotearoa’s future.

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Senior Secondary Science Subjects for Years 11-13 for the New Zealand Curriculum

Curriculum Days 2026 & 2027

Science Curriculum Refresh Timeline Updated

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

NCEA AND THE RAS

Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

Earlier today, Minister Erica Stanford announced a significant proposal that could reshape the secondary qualification landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand.

BAY SCIENCE

View from Pāpāmoa Hills | Adobe Stock

Latest Spotlight

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

MORE RECENT STORIES

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

Rūaumoko: Restless Land

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Kaiako Unite for Mātauranga Māori and Science Design Fair 2026

NCEA Level 3 Aqueous Chemistry Tool from Mat Synge, Aquinas College

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Education for Sustainability Removed from Senior Subject List

Senior Secondary Science Subjects for Years 11-13 for the New Zealand Curriculum

Recloaking the Bay

RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

SheENG at Waikato

SheENG at Waikato

Climate Ambassador Programme 2026

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā 2025: Mātauranga Māori and Science Fair Winners Announced

Young New Zealander of the Year | Te Mātātahi o te Tau 2025

KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2025

Sow the Seed Regional Hubs Term 4 2025

Kaiako Unite for Mātauranga Māori and Science Design Fair 2026

Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2025

Exploring Life’s Origins – A Geothermal Field Day for Primary Teachers

EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Removed from Senior Subject List

Education for Sustainability Removed from Senior Subject List

Educator Association Updates | September

Educator Association Updates | August

KAIAKO HIGHLIGHT

Kaiako Highlight: Jim Critchley

Kaiako Highlight: Whaea Tania Jackson

Kaiako Highlight: Sky Smale

SCIENTIST HIGHLIGHT

Scientist Highlight: Yvonne Taura

Scientist Highlight: Lizzie Thompson | Marine Science

Scientist Highlight: Juliet Linzmeier | Marine Science

PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES

Science Education: Fit for the Future

Science Education: Fit for the Future

Provocations for Science Educators | Science Learning Hub

Looking Ahead: Science Education for the Twenty-First Century | Sir Peter Gluckman

EVENTS

CURRICULUM REFRESH

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Future Secured: AgHort to Remain a Ministry-Led Senior Science Subject in NZ Curriculum

Senior Secondary Science Subjects for Years 11-13 for the New Zealand Curriculum

Curriculum Days 2026 & 2027

Science Curriculum Refresh Timeline Updated

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

NCEA AND THE RAS

Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA

Empower KEA PLD: Redox Chemistry

BoP Cluster #2 2025

NCEA Feedback Wanted!

Network of HoDs for Moderation and Shared Expertise

Join Bay Science - It's free!

Young New Zealander of the Year | Te Mātātahi o te Tau 2025