BAY SCIENCE

Connecting Bay of Plenty Science Educators

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Latest News

As the year winds down, Bay Science will be slowing down and taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period.

A Summer Pause, and a Moment to Say Thanks

What began as a small, volunteer passion-project and experiment has become the front page of science-education news in Aotearoa New Zealand. To everyone who has taken the time to read an article, click a link, share a post, send through an event, or message with feedback — thank you. Have a safe summer break and we'll see you in 2026!

BAY OF PLENTY PĀNUI

A Summer Pause, and a Moment to Say Thanks

A promotional poster for “Many Roots, One Land,” a community planting and learning day on Saturday 13 December 2025 from 1–3.30pm at 540 Kaharoa Road, Hamurana. The poster features kūmara in the foreground and includes messaging about learning food forests, planting, and kūmara stories, with snacks and drinks provided. Logos for Kai Rotorua, the Lottery Grants Board, and the Rotorua Multicultural Council appear at the bottom.

Many Roots, One Land | Kai Rotorua Community Gathering

STEAM-ED has released its January 2026 Holiday Programme, packed with hands-on days for rangatahi who love robots, animation, Minecraft, creatures and creative making.

STEAM-ED January 2026 Holiday Programme

A full line-up of Summer STEM @ Tinkd holiday workshops are running for January 2026, with sessions ranging from Hour of Code, vinyl design, and laser cutting through to 3D printing, bubble wands, keyrings, and a free Pathfinder Egg Drop challenge.

Summer STEM @ Tinkd: Holiday Programmes

A scenic landscape still from Recloaking the Bay, showing Rotorua hill country, farmland, and a lake, used to promote the environmental documentary about catchment restoration.

Recloaking the Bay | Watch Online

opurererua Valley wetland in Tauranga, showing ponds, native vegetation, and surrounding hills under a bright blue sky. Scenic view highlighting the ecological significance of the Kopurererua Valley urban wetland reserve.

Kopurererua Valley Guided Walk

“Promotional flyer for the TMBC December Online Partners Forum on the Yellow-Legged Hornet. Shows event date Wednesday 3 December, 1–2 pm, online. Includes photos of speakers Mike Inglis, Karin Kos and Arnaud Cartier, and a large image of a yellow-legged hornet.

TMBC Response to the Yellow-legged Hornet!

Kai Rotorua Food Forest Planting Day

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NATIONAL PĀNUI

Astrobiology and Earth and Space Science teachers and scientists gathered in Te Moana a Toi for the ESSENZ Astrobiology Conference 2025, with representatives from NASA, the Blue Marble Institute, and Astrobiology NZ.

ESSENZ & Astrobiology Conference 2025: Highlights Reel

ChemEd Biolive 2026

The Ministry of Education has published new information outlining how schools and kura can take part in in-class trialling of the draft Years 0–10 learning areas (NZC) and wāhanga ako (TMoA) during Term 1, 2026.

In-class Trialling of Draft Curriculum

Teachers gathered in a professional learning session, listening to a speaker present on education and curriculum updates.

Open Letter: He Rau Ringa - The Joint Subject Associations of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Ministry has released the Phase 5 subject descriptors for Years | Tau 11–13 across both the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and Tūārere (TMoA).

Subject Descriptors for Phase 5 (Year 11-13) | But where is General Science?

The New Zealand Principals’ Federation has published a detailed response to the Ministry’s emerging knowledge rich curriculum direction for Aotearoa. With permission to share the full piece, Bay Science is helping kaiako stay informed about the thinking shaping curriculum reform.

England's Knowledge Rich Curriculum: Lessons for Aotearoa New Zealand

Image from Carmen Kenton's commentary on Aotearoa’s new Y9 science curriculum, reposted by Bay Science.”

Stuffing the New Y9 Science Curriculum | Carmen Kenton

Earth and Space Science Educators of New Zealand (ESSENZ) have published their findings-to-date of their curriculum survey.

ESSENZ: Draft Science Curriculum Survey Results

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RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

STEAM-ED January 2026 Holiday Programme

The STEAM-ED January 2026 Holiday Programme is packed with creative STEM activities for tamariki — from robotics and animation to bugs, butterflies and Minecraft. This spotlight gives a quick overview and links you straight to the full programme so you can plan ahead for the summer break.

STEAM-ED January 2026 Holiday Programme

Summer STEM @ Tinkd: Holiday Programmes

Lincoln University STAR Programme for Year 12 and 13

Forest & Bird Eastern Bay of Plenty Marine Studies Scholarship

More Rangatahi Opportunities

ChemEd Biolive 2026

ChemEd BioLive 2026 brings science and chemistry educators together for three days of Brilliant Bursts, hands-on workshops, and research-informed ideas that strengthen teaching practice. Explore sessions designed to support the refreshed curriculum, share innovations from Aotearoa classrooms, and connect with colleagues from across the motu.

ChemEd Biolive 2026

AEC Substack Live: Sifting through the Draft Science Curriculum (Dec 9. 4pm)

Expressions of Interest for Tirotiro Anō Panel – Report on the Proposal to Change the National Qualification

HATA Regional Hub 2025 — Term 4 Online Hui for Members

More Kaiako Opportunities

ASSOCIATION PĀNUI

Open Letter: He Rau Ringa - The Joint Subject Associations of Aotearoa New Zealand

A new He Rau Ringa open letter from the Joint Subject Associations of Aotearoa New Zealand raises concerns about the Ministry’s curriculum consultation process, calling for transparency, genuine engagement, and co-design with subject experts. We’ve extracted the full text for readability — noting that not all science associations appear among the signatories.

Open Letter: He Rau Ringa - The Joint Subject Associations of Aotearoa New Zealand

England's Knowledge Rich Curriculum: Lessons for Aotearoa New Zealand

ESSENZ: Draft Science Curriculum Survey Results

Educator Association Updates | December 2025

More 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.

SCIENCE IN ACTION

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.