The Briefing | Issue No. 16

Rātapu 14 o Pipiri 2026

Bay Science's public submission includes over 1300 comments and almost 450 A3 pages from science educators. However, it is vital that you also complete the consultation process individually.

Kia ora koutou

If you haven't already, you have until Monday 15th June, 11:59 PM, to complete Tāhūrangi's survey on Phase 5 of the science curriculum.

Some of the following could be useful:

• Claire Coleman's Phase 5 consultation portal for science has snapshot summaries to help you quickly respond to the Tāhūrangi consultation survey questions.
  

• Skim and scan Bay Science's public Phase 5 submission to find your preferred specialist areas and see what science educators have noticed.
  

• Read A Vision for Science Education in Aotearoa New Zealand: Discussions from a National Summit for key themes identified by science educators during a 2024 summit. See the summit slides/material on Science Learning Hub.
  

• Three curriculum concerns and a strategy by R. Hipkins briefly outlines three concerns relating to aspects of knowledge, and shares a strategy to move forward.
  

• Check out NZAEE's (NZ Association for Environmental Education) guide for submitting feedback on Phase 5. This is also accompanied by a recorded webinar.

Organisations in the community are also beginning to share more of their holiday programmes; check them out in the Rangatahi Opportunities section below.

Kia kaha for all that you do,

Lian Soh

info@bayscience.nz

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      GENERAL NEWS

• Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka begins next week! Check out the full programme of events here to find a range of workshops, toi Māori exhibitions, kapahaka performances and whānau events across Tauranga Moana.
  

• Kiwi Conservation Club:

  • Sign up to Kiwi Conservation Club this June and be in to win a cuddy kūwharuwharu (longfin eel).

  • To celebrate World Oceans Day 2026, KCC are giving away 20 sets of 30 magazines to schools and community groups. Each pack has 30 copies of our Deep Sea issue of Wild Things. Enter here.
    

• Maker Festival (MakerFest) is a sustainable tech event with free tickets to be released soon! This festival tackles the reliance on fossil fuels, environmental impacts, limited access to sustainable technologies, insufficient public engagement in climate action, and the skills gap in green technologies.
  

      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. June 15

• [Reminder] Consultation on the draft phase five science curriculum closes at 11:59 PM. Submit your feedback here.

June 16

• [Online] ESSENZ Webinar | RAMP Changes to Level 3 External Standards

• [Tauranga] Matariki Te Tauranga o Ngā Waka events begin.
  

June 17

• [Online] Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board Professional Development Webinars | Pre‑assessment moderation – designing assessments that work

• [Christchurch] Future Principals' Development Forum (Brightstar)

• [Online] Love Rimurimu: Creating Connection (Mountains to Sea Wellington)

• [Tauranga] Space for Nature Workshop - Cats as Precious Pets (Space for Nature)
  

June 18

• [Online] Using AI in the chemistry classroom (Royal Society of Chemistry)

• [Katikati] Restoring the Past Protecting the Future (Cafe Scientifique Katikati & Project Parore)

• [Timaru] Info Evening South Canterbury (University of Canterbury)
  

June 19

• [Tauranga] Zero Waste Oversized Tee workshop (Envirohub)

June 20

• [Rotorua] Rotorua Repair Cafe (Envirohub)

• [Whakamārama] Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop (Mārama's Mushrooms)
  

June 21

• [Ōhope] Community Planting Day: Ōhope (Coast Care Bay of Plenty)

• [Rotorua] Fungi Photography with Lee Ormsby Andricksen (EcoSci Events)

• [Hamilton] Building A Climate Of Hope - Free Presentation (WIFCO - Waikato Interfaith Council / Te Tiaho Uenuku)

  
  

June 22

• [Tauranga] Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Restoration (Café Scientifique)
  

June 23

• [Bay of Plenty] Info Evening Bay of Plenty (University of Canterbury)
  

June 24

• [Online] Efficacious and engaged: Insights into students, teachers and principals Latest research from Aotearoa NZ (Curriculum Insights and Progress Study)
  

June 25

• [Christchurch / Online] Two Nations, One Orbit: How Australia and New Zealand are making their mark in the global space sector (Humanitix)
  

June 26

• [Online] Urban aerobiomes and your microbiome (People Cities Nature)
  

June 27

• [Tauranga] Metal Tape Mushroom Journaling with Ninette Kruger (Turning Point Trust)

• [Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre] Nature Nerds Network: Marine Conservation Workshop (Faculty of Science, University of Auckland)

• [Omanawa] Mushroom Discovery Walk for Children (4-7 years) - McLaren Falls Park (EcoSci Events)
  

June 28

• [Tauranga] Mini Pottery Workshop: Mushroom Characters (The Pottery Studio Tauranga)

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CONFERENCE WATCHLIST (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)

• 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).

• 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.

• [Reminder] Down the Back of the Chair has heaps of resources (incl. Matariki themed activities and readings) that you can order. Your school will have a unique username and password, usually held by a resource teacher, librarian (or whoever is in charge of ordering school journals).
  

• [Interactive] NASA's Eyes is a suite of 3D visualisation apps that allows everyone to explore and understand real NASA data and imagery in a fun and interactive way.
  

• [Interactive] Google Earth Timelapse is a global, zoomable video that lets you see how the Earth has changed since 1984.
  

• [PDF] Estimating sundown using just your body from Kiwi Conservation Club.
  

• [Interactive] The Mycorrhizal Infrastructure Map is an online map that estimates the location and thickness of underground fungal webs. These networks act like the Earth's veins, constantly transporting huge amounts of water, carbon, and nutrients between different plants.
  

• Matariki resources: We'll repeat this section in our next newsletter. If you have any ideas, send them through!
  

  • Te Papa has a downloadable activity book.
    

  • Te Wananga o Aotearoa has downloadable handbooks, posters, and printable activities.
    

  • AUT has a Matariki art resource pack; each poster has a QR code that can be scanned for information about the star cluster.
    

  • Christchurch City Libraries has a range of crafting activities with downloadable instructions.
    

  • How to weave a harakeke whetū (star) from Manaaki Whenua Youtube.
    

  • This page from Te Ara describes how to make a manu taratahi. See also: How to make a Manu Tukutuku from Ruapehu REAP.
    

• You may have heard through the Bay Conservation Alliance newsletter that we recently dropped off our lifesize replica Little Bush Moa skeleton to support their education programmes. We hope to share more news with you once this is ready!

      RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES

• [Nationwide] ANZCCART's secondary student essay competition is now open. Students who are sitting NCEA Level 1 to 3 exploring biological ideas in a socio-scientific issue could be very well well placed to enter. Entries close August 14 2026.
  

• [Auckland] Te Whatu Stardome has a brand new paid intership opportunity for rangatahi aged 16-19 who share an interest in mātauranga Māori and astronomy.
  

• [Tauranga] STEAM-ED has released its next round of school holiday programmes, running from July 6 to July 17.
  

• [Tauranga] Bricks 4 Kids LEGO® STEAM Holiday Programmes are running these school holidays from July 6-17 at Golden Sands School and Greerton Marist Rugby Club.
  

• [Tauranga] Tauranga's new library and community hub is scheduled to open this coming October. A competition is now open for rangatahi (ages 18 and under) to design their new library card!

Reminders; these opportunities are still open!

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

• NIWA Science and Technology Fairs are happening in various regions from August 24 to September 05.  It's also probably not too late to register for Te Tūkohu Ngāwha Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair.

  
  

      KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES

• Primary and intermediate kaiako from across Aotearoa can now apply for the BLAKE Inspire for Teachers 2026 programme, a week-long environmental education programme funded by the Ministry of Education.
  

Reminders:

• [Nationwide] Information for The Maurice Wilkins Centre (MWC) 2026 Teacher Professional Development Days.
  

• [Nationwide] Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Excellence in Teaching Awards. Closes June 30 2026.
  

• [Nationwide] The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) has officially opened its 2026 prize round, including an educators award. Closes July 31 2026.

      EDUCATION ASSOCIATION UPDATES

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

• AEC

  • UpliftED is no longer running this year. Instead, regional pre-election roadshows will take place. More details to follow.

    
    

• NZASE

  • NZASE’s latest newsletter, sent on 3 June, is available here. Highlights include curriculum updates, survey links, resources, and upcoming science education events and dates for teachers.

    Recent articles:

    • NZ Scholarship Biology | Dr Alison Campbell reflects on two decades helping students prepare for one of New Zealand’s toughest science assessments. Read online

    • NZ Scholarship | Experienced and new teachers, along with a recent recipient, share the challenges and rewards of Scholarship exams. Read online

    • Science Posters | Meet space photographer Max Alexander and explore an out-of-this-world science career. View posters

    • Teacher Q&A | Antarctic microbiologist Dr Sarah Boyle shares her journey into science teaching. Read online

    
    

    Not receiving the NZASE free bi-weekly newsletter? You can sign up here.

    
    

• NZAEE

  • NZAEE has a consultation guide and recorded webinar for Phase 5 feedback.
    

• NZIP

  • NZIP has significant concerns about the draft Year 12-13 Physics curriculum and strongly encourages educators, academics and colleagues in the wider physics community to engage with the public draft.

• SCENZ

  • BioLive ChemEd details are now live. Discounted super early bird rates close on June 15.
    

  • SCENZ has a number of opportunities available for professional growth either now or at the end of the year. Some roles are voluntary and some are part-time contracted paid positions.
    

    • A vacancy is open for a regional representative in the Auckland area (preferably Northland).

    • SCENZ is funded to support the new curriculum via resourcing and PLD (face to face / online). If this interests you, get in touch.

    • SCENZ is looking to contract someone to produce their newsletters from 2027.

    
    

      SCIENCE CURRICULUM

• Consultation for Phase 5 of the draft science curriculum closes on Monday June 15 at 11:59 pm. 

• Expected release date of the finalised curriculum for Yr 0 - 10 is the start of Term Three, around the middle of July.

Reminders:

• Consultation for Phase 5 of the draft science curriculum closes on June 15 at 11:59 pm.
  

• 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

NZQA has published a new Insights paper about the NCEA co-requisite assessments, which have been the recommended option for students to meet NCEA Literacy and Numeracy requirements since 2023.

Reminders:

• 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.

  
  

      PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES

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

• A Vision for Science Education in Aotearoa New Zealand: Discussions from a National Summit [Read Here] Aotearoa New Zealand is in the midst of a curriculum update, with much attention focused on what the new draft science curriculum will look like after a 2023 draft resulted in much public discussion and was abandoned. To stimulate and support national conversation about key considerations of an inclusive, future-facing science curriculum, the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao and Royal Society Te Apārangi hosted a one-day summit in July 2024. This paper reports on key themes emerging from roundtable conversations of participants in relation to the purpose of science education, important outcomes for science education, school science and curriculum design, and challenges and opportunities moving forward. The findings are salient in the current context of change.
  

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What is the name of this bird?

Change Image

• 0%Kōkako
• 0%Hīhī
• 0%Touhou
• 0%Yellowhead

Answers next week!

Findings from previous informal polls NB: As curriculum consultation closes, this section will be retired after this issue.

• 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.
  

• 92% of readers have little or no confidence that sector feedback will actually improve the final curriculum.
  

• 64% of science educators have identified extending the consultation timeline as a top priority, followed by reinstating the Nature of Science and reducing content overload (21%, 14% respectively).
  

• 77% of readers do not think NCEA should be replaced (15% don't know, 8% yes).

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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 science teacher association with national reach. Our website serves as a noticeboard for science education news and events across Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting 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.