The Briefing | Issue No. 13 - Bay Science Newsletter

Rātapu 17 o Haratua 2026

As a subject association, Bay Science will be participating in the Phase 5 science curriculum consultation process. Take part in our survey here.

Kia ora koutou

Draft material for Phase 5 of the science curriculum is now available for consultation; this closes on June 15 at 11:59 pm -- on that note, all of you indicated in last week's polling that you'd prefer a consultation window of one term or more.

As a subject association, Bay Science will be participating in the consultation process. To develop our response, we have organised:

• a survey to gather your initial impressions and broad commentary,
  

• a Working Group Hui to take place early June to sift through the drafts. A flyer will be in the inboxes of our readers this week,
  

• a remote feedback option which allows individuals (or groups) to submit highly specific feedback by directly annotating on the draft materials. Please get in touch: info@bayscience.nz

Year 11 Science will also now become compulsory in 2028 as part of NCEA's replacement. We've collated the Beehive Press Release, Tāhurangi announcement and the email sent to principals here.

In other news, Bay Science is now a signatory of He Rau Ringa (the Joint Subject Associations of Aotearoa New Zealand) and a member of Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (special mihi to Priscilla for the connection!). Our website will be updated to reflect this news.

Kia kaha for all that you are doing,

Lian Soh

info@bayscience.nz

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      GENERAL NEWS

• [Tauranga] Happening tomorrow: Café Scientifique Tauranga welcomes Jim Thomas from the Tauranga Astronomical Society | General Relativity and the Precession of the Orbit of Mercury
  

• [Tauranga] The Tauranga Community Learning Hub has a range of sessions to help parents to better understand the NZ school system (Multicultural Tauranga).
  

• [Hamilton] The Endangered Species Foundation of New Zealand is holding a two-day hui in Hamilton this September to discuss the restoration of Aotearoa’s environment and biodiversity.
  

• [Online] 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.
  

• [Nationwide] The Bubble Spectacular, starring Dr. Hubble, is touring various town centres in the July school holidays. Tickets here.
  

• [Online] The Natural Hazards and Resilience Platform, Te Pae Tūroa, has just launched. Te Pae Tūroa is a collaborative research programme with a mission to accelerate Aotearoa New Zealand’s resilience to natural hazards.
  

Reminders:

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

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

• 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.
  

• 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
  

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

      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 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)

• [Online] Exploring the Lux space on School Kit (Science Learning Hub)

May 21

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

• [Tauranga] Victoria Uni Info Evening (Victoria University of Wellington)

• [Katikati] Healthy Home Workshop (20 Degrees and Sustainability Options)

• [Katikati] Cafe Scientific Katikati May Meeting (Cafe Scientific Katikati)

• [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)

• [Auckland] Simon Runting – Birds through his lens (Forest & Bird)

May 23

• [Rotorua] Community Planting Day @ Linton Park

• [Auckland] Sports Tech (MOTAT)

May 24

• [Auckland] Sports Tech (MOTAT)

May 26

• [Waikato] Hamilton Public Lecture: 'Being Human in the Age of Technology' by Professor Judy Bowen

• [Dunedin / Online] A question of balance: How cells manage stress, ageing and disease (Professor Elizabeth Ledgerwood)

• [Wellington] The Forces That Shape Our World (The Curious Society NZ)

• [Online] Protecting Conservation Land Webinar (Forest & Bird)
  

May 27

• [Tauranga] Information Evening (Toi Ohomai)

• [Wellington] Book Launch: The Evolving Story of Life (National Library of New Zealand)
  

May 28

• [Porirua] Awa After Dark: Spotlighting at Onepoto Park (Mountains to Sea Wellington)

• [Palmerston North] Info Evening Palmerston North 2026 (University of Canterbury)
  

May 30

• [Reminder] Last date of workshop acceptance notification; BioLive ChemEd

• [Wanaka] 2026 NZ Bird Conference (Birds New Zealand)
  

May 31

• [Reminder] Super Early Bird Registrations for BioLive ChemEd Close

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CONFERENCE WATCHLIST (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)

• 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)

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

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

• 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.

• The climate crisis explained in seven graphs (United Nations Environment Programme); this resource uses seven graphs to break down the primary drivers, current state, and projected future risks of the global climate crisis.
  

• Earth Sciences New Zealand has launched a free calculator to help local glasshouse growers predict savings when switching from natural gas to geothermal heat.
  

• Nextstrain is a website which aims to provide a real-time snapshot of evolving pathogen populations. Examples include the Andes Hantavirus, Seasonal Influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.
  

• An activity that models how we measure sea floor depth. See also: modelling seafloor mapping.
  

• What is this bug? is an interactive tool from Bioeconomy Science Institute to help you identify bugs from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
  

• A practical activity on organic solar cells using berries.
  

• A project which investigates how microbes affect the taste and rise of sourdough.
  

• An interactive for visualising the effect of refraction on apparent depth.
  

• An online tool to calculate your carbon footprint.
  

• Energy4Me has a big collection of resources and practicals for teaching about energy sources.
  

• Make a DIY Stomp Rocket using a 2 litre soda bottle and some tubing.

      RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

• [Nationwide] The Get Ready Civil Defence Schools Challenge has returned for 2026 with 15 iPads to be won for participating schools (Closes June 12).
  

• [Nationwide] Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide competition challenging New Zealand’s next generation of innovators to unleash their creativity and use STEAM to help improve their communities (Closes June 12)
  

• [Wellington] The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Wellington branch has locked in June 17 for its chemistry quiz and titration competition.
  

• [Nationwide] The University of Canterbury (UC) has organised a range of information evenings around the motu.
  

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.
  

• [Nationwide] Westpac NZ and BLAKE are running a nationwide competition to giveaway 15 immersive VR learning experiences (Closes May 31).
  

• [Nationwide] 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 (Closes June 5).
  

• [Wellington] 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 (Closes June 1)
  

• [Nationwide] FUSION Design Competition for IYPT 2027 Auckland | Design the Face of the World Cup of Physics (Y11-13 students, closes May 29).

  
  

      KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

• [Nationwide] HATA is bringing back Sow the Seed Regional Hub Workshops. Highlights for this year include Ministry of Education curriculum updates and insights from the Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board.
  

• [Nationwide] The Maurice Wilkins Centre (MWC) has just announced its 2026 Teacher Professional Development Days.
  

• [Nationwide] NZCER is inviting kaiako to share their personal stories through a new research initiative to understand why people enter, stay in, or leave the teaching profession. Respondents go into the draw to win one of five $100 vouchers.
  

• [Nationwide] The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study has officially released its highly anticipated findings drawing on national data collected from student learning. To help educators unpack what these findings mean for the science classroom, the study team is hosting a range of short, free webinar series this June which also includes a specific focus on science.
  

Reminders:

• [Nelson / Nationwide] 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]
  

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

• [Nationwide] 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.
  

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

• [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

  • New senior secondary qualifications – NZCE (Year 12) and NZACE (Year 13) (AEC NZ).

  • School Briefs - (un)manageable curriculum, budget survey, sector reform bill is coming (AEC NZ, Heemi McDonald, and Claire Amos)

  • A Recolonised Health Curriculum for our Rangatahi (AEC NZ)

  • Collective Matters (AEC NZ)
    

• SCENZ

  • For ChemEd-Biolive, May 30 is the last day for workshop acceptance, and super early bird registrations close on May 31.

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

  • Newsletter No.2 was sent to members on May 12.
    

• ESSENZ

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

    
    

• NZASE

  • Reminder: NZASE has produced derived grade exams for 2026 Level 1 Science - 91922 and 91923.
    

      SCIENCE CURRICULUM

• The Ministry of Education has released Phase 5 (Years 11-13) of the draft Science Curriculum for consultation. As a subject association, Bay Science will be submitting an organisational-level response via:
  

  • a survey to collect initial impressions and broad commentary.
    

  • a Working Group Hui early June to sift through the drafts; details for registration will be emailed to readers very shortly.
    

  • a remote option to provide highly specific feedback for those who are unable to make a face-to-face hui. Please get in touch: info@bayscience.nz

  
  

  Our Phase 1-4 feedback remains public here.
  

• The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study has officially released its highly anticipated findings drawing on national data collected from student learning. To help educators unpack what these findings mean for the science classroom, the study team is hosting a range of short, free webinar series this June which also includes a specific focus on science.

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 Government has confirmed details of the new qualification that will replace NCEA from 2028. The Beehive Press Release, email to principals, and Tāhurangi announcement have been collated here.

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.

• Martyn Reynolds and Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga show that Pacific role models do more than just inspire careers; they affirm identity, belonging and possibility (New Zealand Association for Research Education, Ipu Kererū).
  

• Claire Amos chats with Cheryl Doig about the importance of looking to the future when leading change, the concept of used futures and some great tips and strategies for how any teacher and leader can ensure that they are both evidence informed whilst also forecasting and engaging in meaningful future's thinking (DisruptED TV, Spotify)
  

• Greening education begins in the classroom, with educators leading the way. Teachers, school leaders and education support personnel are instrumental in enabling learners to understand climate change in their own contexts and contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient societies—but they can only fulfil this role if they have the conditions, resources and support they need (Greening Education Partnership)

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How much confidence do you have that sector feedback will actually improve the final curriculum?

• 0%High confidence
• 0%Some confidence
• 0%Little confidence
• 0%No confidence at all

See All Results

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.
  

• 79% of respondents want a consultation period of more than one term for each Phase 5 subject. 21% want one term.

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The Briefing is Bay Science’s weekly email newsletter for anyone interested in the latest developments in science education. Subscribe below to receive each edition.

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.