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The Briefing | Issue No. 27 - Bay Science Newsletter

56 minutes ago
9 min read

Aotearoa NZ's home of science education news.

Rātapu, te 20 o Hepetema 2026


EarthFest 2026 poster with Earth science icons, Rotorua, Sun 29–Mon 30 Nov at Toi Ohomai Rec Centre, free for everyone.


Kia ora koutou


Before we try to just survive the last week of school, I want to give a special mention to Earth Fest 2026 which is happening in Rotorua on November 29-30. Given that PLD budgets dry up in Term 4, put in your applications quickly and encourage your seniors to go; there might be some study sessions to support exam revision with a healthy dose of career aspiration to keep them motivated!


This week's resources follow a theme of 'fun and crafty'. Marshmallow catapults? Giant bubbles? Bug hotels? There's also heaps of school holiday programmes to talk to your students about.


There's also been heaps of updates to curriculum in terms of the implementation timeline. We've rebuilt our timeline tracker to improve readability. PS: GO VOTE IN BIRD OF THE YEAR. IT CLOSES TONIGHT. Kia kaha,

Lian and Vicki info@bayscience.nz


Bay Science Newsletter


  • Practical approaches to multiple knowledge systems in secondary science In case you missed this webinar, Science Learning Hub have uploaded a recording and slide deck. https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/practical-approaches-to-multiple-knowledge-systems-in-secondary-science

  • NZ Species Edit-a-thon Join Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand on 17th October at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Wellington Central Library where you'll be guided by experienced Wikipedians to help improve articles focused on Aotearoa New Zealand's native species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/Wellington/NZ_Species_Editathon_17_October_2026

  • NASA's new Artifact InSPECtor Project needs volunteers Telescope images often contain false features called “artifacts” that can mimic real astronomical objects. When you join the Artifact InSPECtor project, you’ll help scientists manage these artifacts, so these new space telescopes reach their full potential. People of all ages are contributing, no experience required!

    https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/artifact-inspector/

  • Dinosaurs: Surviving Extinction at Tūhura Otago Museum Dinosaurs: Surviving Extinction brings prehistoric life roaring back with impressive large-scale displays, including aTarbosaurus stretching over eight metres long, a juvenile Oviraptor, and a Teratophoneus skull. https://tuhura.nz/whats-on/dinosaurs-surviving-extinction

  • For the birds. For the bush. For the bay! Envirohub Bay of Plenty Did you know Miramar Wellington is predator free? At this public meeting, Predator Free Wellington will share their story: How they got started, what they’ve achieved, and what they’ve learnt along the way. Drawing on their expertise, experience and learnings, we’ll explore what we can take from the Miramar story and what the next steps could look like for the Bay of Plenty. https://envirohub.org.nz/event/for-the-birds-for-the-bush-for-the-bay/

  • DOC Sounds of Science Podcast Episode 36 In this episode, Graeme Elliott talks about the quirky behaviour of wandering albatross, the incredible birdlife on predator free subantarctic islands, his love for ‘dickie’ birds, and his pivotal research on mohua and beech seed fall patterns in Fiordland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOuPYqAtyuc


Reminders:


  • BLAKE Awards NZ Nominations for the 2026 BLAKE Awards are currently open until September 24, 2026, celebrating New Zealanders working toward a sustainable future. Categories include science, education, communication, community, young leaders, schools and business.

    https://blakenz.org/programmes/blake-awards/

  • Friends of Tauranga Museum Photography Competition Capture the people, places, landscapes, traditions and moments that tell the story of Tauranga. Entries close October 31. https://tauranga.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42644jWndHJDRMW

Our full calendar is available here. Let us know how we can help promote your event.

Hepetema 21

  • [Pōneke] Student Talks Part 1 (Wellington Botanical Society)

  • [Tauranga] Lets go down to the lab and see what's on the slab with Prof. Chris Battershill; $10 door fee. Email Julia Banks (julia.banks60@gmail.com) to confirm attendance. (Cafe Scientifique Tauranga)

  • [Nationwide] Clean Up Week (Keep New Zealand Beautiful)


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Hepetema 27

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Hepetema 28

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CONFERENCE WATCHLIST (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)



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.


  • Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre (Wairarapa) Visit Pūkaha these school holidays with FREE transport from Masterton with Tranzit Coachlines. https://pukaha.org.nz/bus-booking/

  • Marine Education & Recreation Centre Holiday Programme (Tāmaki Makaurau) Give your child a day of ocean adventure, new friends, and outdoor discovery, right on the doorstep of the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. https://merc.org.nz/day-programme/

  • Te Whatu Stardome School Holidays (Tāmaki Makaurau) School holidays at Stardome offer a range of immersive planetarium experiences for all ages, with daytime shows from just $12.50 per person (or free for annual pass holders). https://www.stardome.org.nz/whats-on/school-holidays



REMINDERS


REMINDERS:


I mōhio koe? (Did you know?)


Whakaaro which may be relevant to us as science educators.



Bay Science has updated the science curriculum implementation super-timeline with a new look, and improvements to readability and sourcing.


Save the date: Bay Science is joining a super cluster on November 9th 2026. Invites to follow soon.


Follow Bay Science on our social media channels:


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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© 2025-2026 Lian Soh and Vicki Alderson-Wallace

info@bayscience.nz

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