The Briefing | Issue No. 24 - Bay Science Newsletter
- 22 hours ago
- 9 min read
Aotearoa NZ's home of science education news.
Rātapu, te 30 o Ākuhata 2026
Kia ora koutou
A big ngā mihi nui to the kaiako who presented at Science Learning Hub's "Practical approaches to multiple knowledge systems in secondary science" on Wednesday 26th - this recording will be out soon, and on September 14th Science Learning Hub is also organising a live curriculum discussion on their LUX space.
NZAEE's "Unpacking the Final Year 1-10 Science & Social Sciences Curriculum" is also now available for viewing, as is AEC and Bay Science's recording - the information microsite is also available here, however we are working on a post-recording edit which will be easier to watch.
Last week, we also had the pleasure of checking out Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair. The event floor also included local council, environmental care groups and scientist features. We found these two resources which we though younger students might enjoy: Where's Wallaby and a Papercraft Kōura. Kia kaha,
Lian and Vicki info@bayscience.nz
Bay Science Newsletter
GENERAL NEWS
Manawahe Adventure Run 2026 School and Family events
The Manawahe Adventure School Run and Family Run is returning on October 16 and October 17th. See their flyer here (Facebook) for details.
Backyard Beekeeping (Tauranga Libraries)
Join Chris Mitchell and Silvana Nieto, from Lakeside Bees, to learn more about beekeeping and the importance of bees in our environment. https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/whats-on/event-details/tctl/24327_eventdetails/event/08cbf06f-216c-4b32-9cee-c9aad4d955e0
Closing Soon: Win a Wildlife Poster
Predator Free New Zealand Trust currently have a short Canva quiz where you'll go into the draw to win a poster!
Te Tira Whakamātaki Membership
Te Tira Whakamātaki have created membership options for individuals as well as community groups where kaitiaki, marae, hapū, Iwi, researchers, practitioners, responders, supporters, and organisations can connect with each other. https://ttw.nz/membership/
New 2026 AME Physics Workbooks Have Arrived! In addition to Level 2, 3 and Scholarship Biology, LearnWell have just released new AME Physics Workbooks. A multibuy discount is also available on their website. https://learnwell.co.nz/
Beta Geonet Phase one of GeoNet beta was released last week.
REMINDERS
Rongoa Workshops | Kawhia, Tauranga, Tāmaki Makaurau, Northland Titoki Education has organised a range of Rongoa Workshops with Pā Ropata (Rob McGowarn) and Donna Kerridge from August - November. https://titokieducation.co.nz/workshops/
MakerFest 2026 tickets now available! It's Free! STEM Wana is proud to announce the inaugural MakerFest, a two-day sustainable technology festival taking place on 12–13 September 2026. Discover the secrets to big savings and a cleaner future. Early bird tickets are now sold out, but general tickets are still free! events.humanitix.com/makerfest-2026-innovate-and-electrify
FORTNIGHTLY EVENT FORECAST
Our full calendar is available here. Let us know how we can help promote your event.
August 31
[Reminder] NZQA External Assessment Marker and Verifier Applications Close (NZQA)
[Reminder] Climate Canvas Previous Resources Entries Close (Envirohub Bay of Plenty)
Hepetema 1
[Tāmaki Makaurau] EAGE Workshop on Exploration (European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers)
Hepetema 2
[Tāmaki Makaurau] EAGE Workshop on Exploration (European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers)
[Kirikiriroa] 74th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference
[Kirikiriroa] Endangered Species National Hui 2026 | An Urgent Call to Act
[Pōneke] Wellington Climate Festival in Review (Kate Kirkwood)
Hepetema 3
[Kirikiriroa] 74th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference
[Kirikiriroa] Endangered Species National Hui 2026 | An Urgent Call to Act
[Multiple Locations] Association for Women in Sciences Triennial Conference (AWIS)
[Pōneke] Botanical Insights Talk - Unravelling Photosynthesis (Wellington Botanic Garden)
[Pōneke] Building from scratch: How materials science is decarbonising the world (Victoria University)
Hepetema 4
[Kirikiriroa] 74th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference
[Multiple Locations] Association for Women in Sciences Triennial Conference (AWIS)
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year Begins (Forest and Bird)
Hepetema 5
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Pōneke] Turn Your Climate Concern into Confident Action for a Better World (Active Hope)
Hepetema 6
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
Hepetema 7
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
Hepetema 8
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Online] Mainstreaming biodiversity into the agriculture sector: supporting the implementation of the KMGBF (United Nations Biodiversity)
[Online] The international launch of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 report (OECD)
Hepetema 9
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Online] Drivers of change in cities: Small spaces matter (UoA + UoW)
[Pōneke] Astronomy for Beginners (Wellington Museum)
Hepetema 10
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Hawke's Bay] PPTA Hawke's Bay Curriculum Hui (PPTA)
Hepetema 11
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
Hepetema 12
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Tauranga] MakerFest NZ: Innovate & Electrification! (STEM Wana)
[Pōneke] New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Conference (NZPCN)
[Pōneke] Te Āhua o te Haenga, Pollination in Motion (Wellington Gardens)
Hepetema 13
[Nationwide] Bird of the Year (Forest and Bird)
[Tauranga] MakerFest NZ: Innovate & Electrification! (STEM Wana)
CONFERENCE WATCHLIST (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)
New Zealand Association of Environmental Education Conference (5 - 7 October Tāmaki Makaurau).
Endangered Species National Hui 2026 (Sept 2-3)
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. While we may share resources here, directory only saves items which are free and which do not require a login.
Auckland Council Flood Viewer
Auckland Council's Flood Viewer lets you discover how water moves through your street and where it ends up. The key also includes coastal inundation predictions, flood prone areas and overland flow paths.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/cbde7f2134404f4d90adce5396a0a630
Kōura Paper Craft
Fish Futures NZ have A4 and A3 templates to create a 3D papercraft kōura. https://fishfutures.co.nz/koura-paper-craft/
Where's Wallaby? A downloadable colouring and 'search' sheet. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/55105-Colouring-activity-fact-sheet-and-Wheres-Wallaby-answers
Get Firewise NZ Get Firewise for year 1 and 2 is a sequenced programme of learning experiences designed to give five and six year olds knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that will keep them safe around fire.
https://www.fireandemergency.nz/teachers-and-schools/get-firewise/
Science in School: Climate in the Classroom As part of Climate in the Classroom Week, Science in School (EU) has linked a range of practical resources:
Model the ice albedo feedback. Albedo and ice: positive feedback in action
How much carbon is locked in that tree? Measure the carbon stored in a tree.
A longterm school experiment to determine the biomass of a known area of herbaceous plants.
National Science Week (Australia)
Just in case you might be interested, Australia has just concluded their National Scince Week. Many of their resources are available here: https://primezone.edu.au/science-week-26/ A full range of their food and fibre resources are also available: https://primezone.edu.au/search/
Big Blue Aotearoa
An animated comic by Toby Morris to raise awareness of how human activities impact our oceans. https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/07-12-2022/big-blue-aotearoa-how-our-ocean-connects-us-and-why-we-need-to-protect-it
Observing Soil Respiration An easy activity using an indicator, soda bottle and soil to observe soil respiration. https://www.earthsciweek.org/resources/classroom-activities/observing-soil-respiration/
Te Kawa o Tangaroa Take a deep dive into nine curriculum-aligned sustainable fishing & ocean-related topics. Designed for Year 7-10 and adaptable for Year 11-13 NCEA Biology, Science & Geography. Includes activities, unit plans, film clips, worksheets and PowerPoint slides.
RANGATAHI OPPORTUNITIES
Little Scientists Holiday Programme (Auckland)
Little Scientists have released their September/October 2026 holiday programmes for Birkenhead, Glen Innes, Hillsborough and Freeman's Bay.
https://www.littlescientists.co.nz/holiday-programme-auckland
STEAM-ED Holiday Programme (Tauranga)
September and October 2026 holiday programmes are now available for booking at the STEAM-ED website. See lineup here. https://steamed.nz/holiday-programmes/
Study Rural Pest Control Level 3 for Free NZMA are offering free* pest control courses for their upcoming 2026 intakes.
https://www.nzma.ac.nz/our-campuses/online/rural-pest-control
Registration for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge is now open
The NASA Space Apps Challenge offers opportunities for anyone with an interest in space and science to address real-world challenges through their annual hackathon and global community. All ages, skill levels, and professional backgrounds are welcome. At NASA Space Apps, there's always space for one more!
https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/
REMINDERS
Fully Funded STEAM for Flood Resilience Workshop for Schools | STEAM-ED Tauranga STEAM-ED is excited to offer “Te Hīkoi o te Wai – Flood Resilience through STEAM-based Kaitiakitanga”, a fully funded, hands-on STEAM workshop suitable for students from Years 5 - 8 . The workshop blends practical engineering design, science-based decision-making , and Te Ao Māori perspectives, empowering students to see themselves as guardians and future problem-solvers in their communities.
NZ Bird of the Year This year, the NZ Bird of the Year competition is embracing the youth vote by making it easy with a complete resource pack for schools. Get your school or classroom onboard by registering here.
INSPIRE Festival 2026 INSPIRE Festival 2026 offers two days of student selected challenging discussions and hands-on workshops all focused around STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths, and Society). This year the festival is being hosted at Nayland College! www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/inspire-festival-tickets-1981551629265
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 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. Final submissions are due 18 September 2026. www.samsung.com/nz/solvefortomorrow/
KAIAKO OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Communications Advisor For those interested in a career change to science communications, Cawthron Institute are on the lookout for a Senior Communications Advisor. Nelson, Aotearoa NZ, Fulltime, Permanent.
Te Kura Raunui Te Reo Māori Training
Expressions of interest to study Level 1 and Level 2 Te Reo Māori via the Ministry of Education are now open. https://kauwhatareo.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/te-kura-raunui---te-reo-m-ori-training/5637323078.p
Closing Soon on August 31: NZQA External Assessment Marker and Verifier Applications Interested in being an NZQA external assessment marker? The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is currently inviting suitably qualified secondary teachers to apply for vital roles in the upcoming examination cycle.
REMINDERS:
PPTA Hawke's Bay Curriculum Hui This hui is an opportunity for PPTA members to come together and discuss curriculum changes and form a collective voice on issues. We will be inviting local MPs and candidates along to hear from teachers. This hui is being organised by the Post-Primary Teachers' Association Hawke's Bay Region. https://events.humanitix.com/ppta-hawke-s-bay-curriculum-hui
Closing September 30th: Applications for the 2026 Prime Minister's Science Teacher Prize Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao. Teachers can now apply for the most prestigious science educator award in Aotearoa New Zealand are now open. Applications close September 30th. https://pmscienceprizes.org.nz/about-the-prizes/teacher-2-2-2-2/
Kura Conference 2026
National curriculum changes are here. Is your school up to speed? A two day conference where you'll hear from teachers, principals, educationalists and ministry consultants. November 10-11 2026.
https://brightstar.co.nz/events/the-kura-conference/
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION UPDATES
Aotearoa Educators Collective
AEC have uploaded their latest Afterschool Special: Analysis of the NZC Science Phase 1-4 Curriculum with Claire Coleman, Lian Soh and Sara Tolbert. Links to an analysis resource, as well as the literature referred to, can also be found here: https://guide-to-the-final-scien-s6d4mk6.gamma.site/
Biology Educators Association NZ
NZQA Scholarship Bio
Earth and Space Science Educators NZ
Reminder: The ESSENZ conference and AGM is coming up in the Term 3 holidays. Tuesday 6th-Friday 9th October 2026. The cost of attending ESSENZ three-day conference will be $350, which includes access to activities and workshops, accommodation in Christ's College on the 6th October (including breakfast and dinner) as well as transport to and from Tekapo. Click here to register for this awesome conference
NZ Association of Environmental Education
A recording of the Thursday 27th webinar "Unpacking the Final Year 1-10 Science and Social Sciences Curriculum" can be viewed here.
Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association
Reminder: Agribusiness Conference information is now available. See attached flyers below. Both conferences are free to attend. While schools are expected to cover travel and accommodation costs, PPTA members can apply for a grant of up to $850 to assist with travel, accommodation, childcare, and other expenses via: https://www.ppta.org.nz/forms/subject-association-grants-pre-approval-form
I mōhio koe? (Did you know?)
Australian Science Teacher's Association Earlier this year, ASTA's shared a position paper on Inquiry VS Explicit teaching. See it here.
SCIENCE CURRICULUM
Pūtaiao for Years 0-10 is now available. See the Tāhūrangi announcement here. https://kauwhatareo.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/y0-10-putaiao-released
NCEA & ASSESSMENT
Biology Scholarship Examination This is now offered digitally and on physical paper. Candidates who are entered digitally for biology will get a physical resource booklet.
Closing soon: NZQA External Assessment Marker and Verifier Applications Interested in being an NZQA external assessment marker? The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is currently inviting suitably qualified secondary teachers to apply for vital roles in the upcoming examination cycle. Closes August 31.
EDUCATION LITERATURE & PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES
Whakaaro which may be relevant to us as science educators.
Can you help? Masters' student Surandini Siriwardhana from the Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in Tauranga is looking for teacher participants for their study 'Inquiry-Based Learning in Science teaching'. https://www.bayscience.nz/post/invitation-to-participate-in-research-on-inquiry-based-learning-in-science-teaching
The international launch of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 report Don't miss the launch of the PISA 2025 results. The world's largest international education survey evaluates how over 760,000 15-year-olds from 91 countries and economies apply their knowledge in reading, math, and science to everyday problems. https://www.oecd.org/en/events/2026/09/the-launch-of-the-oecd-programme-for-international-student-assessment-pisa-2025-report.html
Bay Science is an unincorporated national teachers association standing for progressive and inclusive science education. Our channels serve as the most comprehensive noticeboard of science education news and events across Aotearoa New Zealand. The Briefing is a free weekly email newsletter for members. Sign up below. If your organisation has a kaupapa, event, or opportunity to share with the science education community, we’ll happily share it here. |
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