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

The year is well in motion and Term 3 is where the pressure points start to show. New curriculum implementation timelines, standards that were revised to be externals, heaps of major events to keep tabs on while the PLD budget starts to dry up—it’s a lot!

A model house for the teaching and learning of the "Healthy Homes" context. Source: Image supplied. © Lian Soh

The reminders below are for kaiako, but especially for middle leaders and heads of department who might appreciate the extra stocktake of things to do:

1. Put in your PLD / Leave Request to check out the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair.
   

2. The Astrobiology Conference is the Earth and Space Science Educators NZ national-level conference. Get your tickets sorted; it's right here in the Bay of Plenty!
   

3. While you're busy with the above, get your free tickets to STEMFest 2025!
   

4. NCEA Level 1 teachers, before you lock into teaching external standards, have you seen the sample assessments that been living on the NZQA page since the start of the year? CB1.3 - AS92022 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation in relation to an identified characteristic. Plus, don't forget the assessment specifications (incl. AS92023 Properties of Materials). PESS1.3 - AS92026 - Demonstrate understanding of the effect on the Earth of interactions between the Sun and the Earth-Moon system. Plus, assessment specifications (incl. AS92047 Energy) SCI1.3 - AS91923 - Demonstrate understanding of science-related claims in communicated information. Plus sample resource sheet. AND 2025 Assessment Specifications (incl. AS91922 Features of Science). AgHort1.4 - 91931 - Demonstrate understanding of environmental sustainability in primary production management practices. Don't forget the assessment specifications (including AS91930 Soil Properties).
   

5. Did you know that, in June, the ministry posted a revised curriculum implementation timeline?
   

6. You have checked out the updates (June) from our educator association representatives and are keeping tabs on our July updates.
   

7. Your paper work is in order to help your colleague receive a prestigious award!
   

8. You have seen the latest update about the NIWA regional science fair.

   
   

9. You have booked in with the Science Roadshow - they are coming in Term 3!
   

10. Bay Science will organise a Term 3 cluster. Get your team to join the mailing list (scroll to the bottom of any page) if they aren't regularly checking the website for news.
    

11. Need an accessible marine-science context for Biology 2.1 or Biology 3.1 which doesn't involve adding a superyacht onto the department budget? Check out Juliet's scientist profile.

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