The Briefing | Issue No. 12 - Bay Science Newsletter

Rātapu 3 o Haratua 2026

Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust is inviting photographers to submit high-resolution landscape images of New Zealand raptors for their 2026 fundraising calendar. Adobe stock.

Kia ora koutou

What a week! A huge mihi to John Marsh for championing the importance of 'Nature of Science' in the draft curriculum in this week's RNZ article. Ka rawe!

With Phase 5 (Years 11–13) curriculum drafts rolling out this month for a one-month feedback window, we want to know: is that going to be enough time for you and your team to have a say? Let us know in the open poll below.

This week there's heaps of events and opportunities around the motu. As a reminder for HOD's and school leaders, you should probably put your colleagues forward for NEITA.

As mentioned last week, if you are interested in joining Phase 5 feedback keep an eye on your inbox.

Kia kaha for all that you are doing,

Lian Soh

info@bayscience.nz

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      GENERAL NEWS

• Wingspan Photography Competition | Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust is on the hunt for spectacular imagery to feature in their annual fundraising calendar
  

• As part of the Connect & Protect Series, Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital is hosting an online session on 21 May focused on the discovery of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in Aotearoa and the ongoing national response.
  

• The International Science Council (ISC), in partnership with Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland) and the Pacific Academy of Sciences, is hosting a webinar on how scholars draw from intergenerational indigenous knowledge to address contemporary ecological issues (May 11)
  

• Whakatāne Kiwi Trust Hosts Kiwi Aversion Training Session on June 7 | Protecting our native bird population is a shared responsibility in the Bay of Plenty
  

•  This month, Café Scientifique Tauranga welcomes Jim Thomas from the Tauranga Astronomical Society | General Relativity and the Precession of the Orbit of Mercury
  

• New Zealand Geographic has officially opened entries for the NZ Geo Photographer of the Year 2026.
  

• 50% off General Admission for Canterbury Residents at the International Antarctic Centre!
  

• Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust has launched a new website!
  

• Did you make a little clay mushroom at the recent Fungi Fest NZ Community Day? They are now ready for pickup!
  

• [YouTube] 'Four years in Antarctica investigating Earth’s changing climate' by Professor Gary Wilson | In this lecture Gary will discusses geological evidence for the potential extent to which Antarctica will respond as we warm the planet beyond 15.7°C (450 ppm of atmospheric CO2; 2°C and up to 170 ppm of CO2 more than in pre-industrial times) and the impact on the rest of the planet.

Reminders:

• RASNZ 2026 Conference: Exploring the Skies Above Blenheim | May 15-17.
  

• Vote for NZ’s Fungus of the Year 2026! (Bioeconomy Science Institute)
  

• The NZFrogs Ambhibian Award aims to support projects that contribute to amphibian conservation, research or science communication; grants of up to $300 are available per project. Applications due 15/07/2026.
  

      EVENT FORECAST

Our full calendar is available here. More than half of our readers are from beyond the Bay of Plenty. Let us know how we can help promote your event. All Month

• [Bay of Plenty] This May Predator Free BoP are focusing on possums, one of the biggest threats to our native birds and forests. Trap possums throughout the month of May and go in the draw to win some great prizes! (Facebook)

May 11

• [Online] Indigenous Research and Knowledge Generation: Experiences from the Pacific (International Science Council)

• [Nelson] 2026 Geoscience Lecture Tour (Nelson Science Society)
  

May 12

• [Mount Maunganui] Waste-Ed with Kate

• [Tauranga] Rocket Fuel and NASA Involvement Talk (Tauranga Astronomical Society)
  

May 13

• [Online] Webinar 1: Understanding the Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board (ISB). This webinar is ideal for anyone new to standards‑based assessment, new staff, or those wanting a clearer picture of roles, responsibilities, and where to go for support.

• [Rotorua] Skip the Skip! with Darryl Church & Dr Marie Fleming. Come along to hear some practical examples of sustainable building in action, along with lessons learned and tips for anyone considering a new build or renovation.

• [Christchurch/Online] Inaugural Professorial Lecture – Professor Martin de Bock (University of Otago)

  
  

May 14

• [Wellington] Measuring Ore Moisture using Microwaves; where data and differential equations collide (Prof Mark McGuinness)

• [Online] Element C: Professional learning with purpose (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand)
  

May 15

• [Marlborough] Royal Astronomical Society of NZ Conference begins

• [Aotearoa] Early Bird Sale for UpliftED 2026 closes (AEC NZ)

• [Online] Budget 2026 Education Survey Closes (Aotearoa Educators Collective)

• [Online] NZFrogs Amphibian Award applications close

• [International] Applications for ClimateLaunchpad 2026 – Green Business Ideas Competition closes; The world’s largest green business ideas competition for early-stage climate innovation. Youth and early-stage teams can access bootcamps, coaching, and global finals.
  

May 17

• [Bay of Plenty] Moth Pod Plant Competition begins.

• [Auckland] Biodiversity Day (Seaweek / MERC)

• [International] Applications for the UN SDG Heroes of Tomorrow closes.

May 18

• [Tauranga Yacht Club] General Relativity and the Precession of the Orbit of Mercury (Café Scientifique)

• [Online] Agricultural and Horticultural Science Scholarship- Student workshop. Email: Suzy if you have interested students. s.newman@stpauls.school.nz.

May 19

• [Online] New insights from an updated New Zealand soil carbon inventory system (Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research)

• [Online] NZASE AGM; 6pm. Email Donna Sellers to register interest: nzase@xtra.co.nz

• [Wellington] GSNZ Public Lecture: The Origin of the Southern Alps (Geoscience Society of New Zealand)

May 20

• [Nelson / Online] Regional Physics Teachers Meeting (Physics NZQA) In person registration or Online registration.

• [Wellington/Online] ‘Critical’ Minerals, Mining and Sustainable Futures Symposium (Victoria University of Wellington)

• [Online] Calculating hope: How spatial modelling can help us plan strategies (Bioprotection Aotearoa)

• [Wellington] Botanical Insights Talk - From Ground Level to Treetops (Wellington Botanic Garden)

• [Wellington] From Insight to Action: Forest Thinking for Ocean Futures (Explore Your Coast)

May 21

• [Online] An Update on the Yellow-Legged Hornet NZ Response (Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital)

• [Wellington] Putting the 'where' into decisions: A 40-year journey with GIS (Victoria University of Wellington)

• [Wellington] 2026 Geoscience Lecture Tour (Geoscience Society of New Zealand)

• [Lower Hutt] Awa After Dark: Spotlighting in Percy Scenic Reserve (Mountains to Sea Wellington)

May 23

• [Rotorua] Community Planting Day @ Linton Park

• [Auckland] Sports Tech (MOTAT)

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CONFERENCE WATCHLIST

• 2026 NZ Bird Conference (May 30 - Jun 1)

  
  

• Science Communicators of Aotearoa NZ Conference (Jun 24-26); early bird registrations extended until May 7th!
  

• ASERA 2026 (Australasian Science Education Research Association) takes place in Brisbane (30 June - 3 July).

  
  

• UpliftEd by Aotearoa Educators Collective (July 8-9)
  

• NZ International Science Festival (15-19 July)

  
  

• NZ Plant Conservation Network conference (Oct 12-15)

  
  

• New Zealand Association of Environmental Education Conference (5 - 7 October Tāmaki Makaurau).

  
  

• Chem-Ed Biolive by SCENZ and BEANZ (Nov 18-20)

      RESOURCES & EXPERIENCES

The following have been added to our Experiences page and Resources directory. Our Resources directory only saves items which are free and which do not require a login.

• Infrared webcam hack from Science in School describes how to turn a cheap webcam into an infrared camera.
  

• A colouring page from Kiwi Conservation Club.
  

• A resource from RSC to run your own online titration.
  

• Measure the width of your hair with a laser pointer; Play with lasers and learn about diffraction
  

• Easy Magnet Sensory Bottles; for introducing magnetism to little ones.
  

• Investigate the effect of surface area or concentration on rate of reaction using oxalic acid in rhubarb and potassium manganate(VII). Includes kit list and safety instructions.
  

• A library of short biology videos.
  

• Test out this DIY phone speaker project by experimenting with various cup styles and cardboard tube lengths to hear how they transform the sound. It's a great way to explore acoustics using simple materials from around the house!
  

• Rangi by NIWA (Earth Science's New Zealand) has weather and climate lessons for teachers
  

• Teacher's notes for constructing a wave machine using skewers, lollies and tape.
  

• University of Otago's Marine Studies Centre has a library of downloadable PDF resources!
  

• Exploring the Solar System: Mission to Space board game | In this activity, learners play a board game in which they represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space.

      RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

• Westpac NZ and BLAKE are running a nationwide competition to giveaway 15 immersive VR learning experiences.
  

• To celebrate a decade of growth and innovation in our local aerospace industry, the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is inviting primary and intermediate students to leave their mark on history through the "Patch to the Future" competition.
  

• This King’s Birthday, Massey University students with Kiwi Conservation Club are looking for a group of curious tamariki to help them refine their latest design projects.
  

• FUSION Design Competition for IYPT 2027 Auckland | Design the Face of the World Cup of Physics (Y11-13 students).
  

Reminders:

• [Waikato] Teachers are being encouraged to register their school group(s) for Fieldays 10–13 June, at Mystery Creek Events Centre, with discounted student tickets available for groups of 10 or more at NZ$10 each, a 45% discount off the child rate. Fieldays provides opportunities designed to connect classroom learning with real-world careers across New Zealand’s primary industries.
  

• [International] Your Green Action is a 12-week environmental education initiative developed under the Wang and Tangang Foundation to help young people understand climate change and develop practical sustainability habits, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

  
  

      KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

• A meeting to support Physics teachers in making consistent and reliable judgements for marking and assessing internal standards at Levels 2 and 3. If time allows, the group will also review PESS 1.2 [In person registration] or [Online registration]
  

• Tātai Aho Rau Core Education has confirmed that their regional mentor teacher workshops are returning for Term 3
  

• Monash University is hosting a public lecture on June 16 to explore what it looks like to design learning environments where neurodivergent students are understood and respected. A recording will be available.
  

• Weaving Anti-Racist Futures: The First Antiracism in Education Conference takes place in AKL July 5-6.
  

• The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) has officially opened its 2026 prize round, including an educators award.

  
  

Reminders:

• The 2026 Tauranga Innovative Education Summit is set to return to the Bay of Plenty on June 12.
  

• Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Excellence in Teaching Awards, the longest running, community based awards program that recognises teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand.

• [Online, International] Science is Cool Unconference is coming up on July 23rd; an all day teacher PD. YouTube highlight reel below. This is now a two day event. Ngā mihi Jim Critchley for letting us know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYTw6tgO1Es

Reminders

• Dates and locations for the Maurice Wilkins Centre Biology Teacher Professional Development Day 2026 have been announced. More details to come.
  

      EDUCATION ASSOCIATION UPDATES

This month's updates are available here. New changes for the week are below.

• AEC

  • Sunday Read: Hypothesising possibilities ahead: ‘establish strong foundations for learning, well-being and life ou…’ (AEC NZ)

  • Waitangi Tribunal Series - Richard Manning (Richard Manning)

  • 500 versus 95,000 (Sarah Aiono)

  • When education becomes a Tui billboard (AEC NZ)

  • Where traditional schooling goes wrong (Bevan Holloway)

  • School Briefs - ERO's long term future, More from the Tribunal, Labour enters the debate (AEC NZ and Claire Amos)

  • We are not computers (Bevan Holloway)
    

• ESSENZ

  • Reminder: following from Term 1, ESSENZ also has a range of webinars scheduled for Term 2. Ngā mihi Najin and Jim.

    
    

• NZASE

  • NZASE has produced derived grade exams for 2026 Level 1 Science - 91922 and 91923. These are available free of charge for NZASE member schools, and at $50 for both exams for non-member schools. Access will be provided to one teacher per school. For more information visit here. 2025 exams are still available as well.
    

  • NZASE online AGM meeting will be held on Tuesday, 19 May at 6pm. To attend, please email nzase@xtra.co.nz to register.
    

  • NZASE’s latest newsletter, sent on 6 May, is available here. Highlights include the AGM (19 May), derived-grade exams, NZ Primary Science Week, resources, and upcoming science education events and dates for teachers.

• Erica’s God Complex (Engaging Learning Voices)

      SCIENCE CURRICULUM

• Phase 5 of the science curriculum will be released c.a mid May. Bay Science will be organising a working group hui to collate Phase 5 feedback. Our Phase 1-4 feedback remains public here.

Reminders:

• Science Learning Kits from MoE are also available with the opportunity for feedback.
  

• Additional annual plans are now available (this includes a range of subjects; for science, new unit plans in chemistry have been included).
  

• Curriculum and Assessment Roadshow for Leaders (register here)
  

      NCEA & ASSESSMENT

• The Ministry of Education NZ has opened registrations for a new series of professional learning and development opportunities. These sessions focus on strengthening how schools and kura measure student progress, ensuring that assessment remains grounded in the science of learning.

Reminders:

• A new exemplar for Science Level 1 AS91920 (S1.1 Science Informed Response) has been published on the NZQA website.
  

  
  

      PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES

Readings and talks which may be relevant to us; commentaries and research relevant to science education and curriculum reform.

• Building Strong Foundations for Life; Results from the 2025 Early Learning and Child Well-being Study (OECD). The first five years of a child’s life represent a critical window of opportunity, but also of vulnerability. Strong early skills prepare children to succeed in education and to develop into healthy, well-adjusted adults. But a poor start can hinder these positive trajectories.
  

• How Estonia delivers world class education, a conversation with Estonia’s Education Minister (OECD Top Class Education Podcast). In this episode, OECD Editor Duncan Crawford speaks with Estonia's Minister of Education and Research about the policies behind their sustained success in education.
  

• A new special issue of Science & Education (Vol. 35, Issue 2) is now available, featuring eight articles that examine the intersection of the history of science and modern pedagogy through socially conscious lenses. This edition explores diverse perspectives—including gendered, racialized, and decolonial approaches—to inform better science teaching and research. You can read the full issue and the opening editorial on the Springer website here (Ngā mihi Sara).

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What is a sufficient consultation period, per subject, to enable genuine consultation on Phase 5 (Year 11-13) subjects of the draft curriculum?

• 0%Up to 4 weeks (c.a one month)
• 0%5-8 weeks
• 0%One full school term
• 0%Longer

Findings from previous informal polls

• 56% of readers are not trialling or implementing the draft science curriculum, in Term 1 2026
  

• 88% of readers would like General Science to be a subject in Year 12 and 13
  

• 84% of readers have major concerns about the draft science learning area
  

• 69% of readers think that the pace of the science curriculum changes feels too fast 
  

• 94% of readers think that the Nature of Science should be explicitly taught in the science curriculum 
  

• 83% of readers do not think that draft science curriculum adequately prepares students for a world shaped by AI, climate change and global uncertainty.
  

• 67% of readers believe the science curriculum refresh process is not working well.
  

• 77% of readers believe the draft science curriculum provides very little opportunity for student agency and action.
  

• 80% of readers feel there is far too much content in the draft science curriculum. 13% say there is slightly too much.
  

• 85% of readers think that the science curriculum should teach students how science works, including how scientists and the wider science system operate
  

• 86% of readers would like Education for Sustainability to be a subject at Year 12 and Year 13.
  

• 91% of readers would like the Nature of Science remain a core component of Phase 5 (Years 11-13) of the science curriculum.
  

• 70% of readers believe the primary purpose of Year 12-13 science should support preparing scientifically literate citizens, as well as university study.

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Bay Science is a noticeboard for science education news and events across Aotearoa New Zealand, helping educators and community members across the country. If your organisation has a kaupapa, event, or opportunity to share with the science education community, we’d love to share it.