BAY SCIENCE

Connecting Bay of Plenty Science Educators

View from Pāpāmoa Hills | Adobe Stock

Latest Spotlight

Sir Peter Gluckman speaking at an event in 2020 – New Zealand scientist and policy advisor, founder of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures.

New Zealand in a Global Science and Technology Revolution | Sir Peter Gluckmann

Join Sir Peter Gluckman in Rotorua for a powerful discussion on how Aotearoa can stay ahead in a fast-changing world. As one of New Zealand’s leading scientific thinkers and global policy advisors, Sir Peter will explore how we can respond to the pressures of climate change, economic instability, technological disruption, and shifting global dynamics. This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of science, innovation, and decision-making in Aotearoa.

New Zealand in a Global Science and Technology Revolution | Sir Peter Gluckmann

General News

1 day ago2 min read

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the BOP Science Fair for 2025 is no longer go ahead.

[Cancelled] Bay of Plenty Regional Science Fair

Rangatahi Opportunities

3 days ago1 min read

Kaiako Highlight: Whaea Tania Jackson

Kaiako Spotlight

7 days ago6 min read

Updates from our local association representatives highlighting trending topics in the Bay of Plenty from NZASE, KEA, BEANZ, ESSENZ, NZAEE, NZAPSE, SCENZ and NZIP.

Educator Association Updates | July

Educator Association Updates

Jul 113 min read

Term Three - NCEA Level 1 Sample Exams, Local Events, and Other Survival Tips

General News

Jul 102 min read

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

Scientist Highlight

Jul 75 min read

The Ministry of Education has published a new update to their five-year curriculum implementation timeline. The latest information suggests that consultation for Science and Pūtaiao will begin later this year in Term 4, which may continue into Term 1 of 2026.

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

Science Curriculum Refresh

Jun 292 min read

STEMFest 2025 is making a return on Sunday 28th of September!

Tauranga STEM Festival 2025 (STEMFest)

General News

Jun 251 min read

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair are excited to announce a new $5800 prize pool available to support two outstanding student-led projects that investigate an introduced species within the Te Arawa rohe. This prize pool has been kindly offered by the amazing team at Fish Futures!

Fish Futures and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair: Introduced Species Prize Package

Rangatahi Opportunities

Jun 242 min read

See All Spotlight Articles

RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair

Calling all tamariki and rangatahi! Are you passionate about science, our taiao, and making a real difference in the world? Join us from Wednesday 23rd July to Friday 25th July for the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair!

[Cancelled] Bay of Plenty Regional Science Fair

Fish Futures and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair: Introduced Species Prize Package

Birds, Bots, and a Mini Airport: A Holiday Programme That Has It All

STEAM-ED - Inspiring students and supporting schools

More Rangatahi Opportunities

KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao | The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

The Prime Minister's Science Teacher Prize has opened again for 2025! This award is the highest-level teacher award in Aotearoa New Zealand. The award includes a prize of $50,000 for the teacher, and an additional $100,000 to the recipient's school.

SCANZ Awards | Now Open for 2025!

KEA: Test Anxiety and Memory

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao | The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

BLAKE Awards: Now Open

More Kaiako Opportunities

EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Educator Association Updates | July

Your monthly live update from our local association representatives covering topics that are trending in the Bay of Plenty. Educator association updates include: NZASE, Empower KEA, BEANZ, ESSENZ, NZAPSE, SCENZ, NZIP, TMMTA, NZAEE. Where a regional representative is not available, news has been curated from a national-level newsletter or announcement.

Educator Association Updates | July

Educator Association Updates | June

Teacher Association Updates | May

Empower KEA Launches for High Equity Index Schools in Aotearoa

More Educator Association Updates

KAIAKO HIGHLIGHT

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

Scientist Highlight: Juliet Linzmeier

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.

SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH

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

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Georgina Tuari Stewart and Sally Birdsall summarise curriculum change in science based on two recently published articles, “What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?” and “Winds of change buffeting science education in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Science Learning Hub: Understanding the Basics of Climate Change

What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?

More Science Education Research

EVENTS

CURRICULUM REFRESH

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

The Ministry of Education has published a new update to their five-year curriculum implementation timeline. The latest information suggests that consultation for Science and Pūtaiao will begin later this year in Term 4, which may continue into Term 1 of 2026.

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Listening to Our Children: Returning to the Heart of Te Mātaiaho

Science Curriculum Update

What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?

NCEA AND THE RAS

Empower KEA PLD: Redox Chemistry

Empower KEA is excited to announce its second PLD hui run by Keri Tan Garlick for Level 2 and Level 3 redox chemistry.

BAY SCIENCE

View from Pāpāmoa Hills | Adobe Stock

Latest Spotlight

New Zealand in a Global Science and Technology Revolution | Sir Peter Gluckmann

MORE RECENT STORIES

New Zealand in a Global Science and Technology Revolution | Sir Peter Gluckmann

[Cancelled] Bay of Plenty Regional Science Fair

Kaiako Highlight: Whaea Tania Jackson

Educator Association Updates | July

Term Three - NCEA Level 1 Sample Exams, Local Events, and Other Survival Tips

Scientist Highlight: Juliet Linzmeier

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

Tauranga STEM Festival 2025 (STEMFest)

Fish Futures and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair: Introduced Species Prize Package

RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair

[Cancelled] Bay of Plenty Regional Science Fair

Fish Futures and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair: Introduced Species Prize Package

Birds, Bots, and a Mini Airport: A Holiday Programme That Has It All

STEAM-ED - Inspiring students and supporting schools

KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao | The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

SCANZ Awards | Now Open for 2025!

KEA: Test Anxiety and Memory

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao | The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

BLAKE Awards: Now Open

EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Educator Association Updates | July

Educator Association Updates | July

Educator Association Updates | June

Teacher Association Updates | May

Empower KEA Launches for High Equity Index Schools in Aotearoa

KAIAKO HIGHLIGHT

Kaiako Highlight: Whaea Tania Jackson

Kaiako Highlight: Sky Smale

SCIENTIST HIGHLIGHT

Scientist Highlight: Juliet Linzmeier

SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Science Learning Hub: Understanding the Basics of Climate Change

What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?

EVENTS

CURRICULUM REFRESH

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

Science Curriculum Refresh | Update to curriculum implementation timelines

Science in New Zealand schools: Viewpoint 2025

Listening to Our Children: Returning to the Heart of Te Mātaiaho

Science Curriculum Update

What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?

NCEA AND THE RAS

Empower KEA PLD: Redox Chemistry

Empower KEA PLD: Redox Chemistry

BoP Cluster #2 2025

NCEA Feedback Wanted!

Network of HoDs for Moderation and Shared Expertise

Cluster #1 2025

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