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The Briefing | Issue No. 31 - Bay Science Newsletter

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Aotearoa NZ's home of science education news.

Rātapu, te 1 o Noema 2026


The Briefing Issue 31 Bay Science newsletter cover showing dawn mist over Lake Āniwaniwa (Lake Aniwhenua) in Murupara.
Navigating the newly released Years 0–10 curriculum takes a village, and this week’s issue rounds up the huge line-up of Term 4 PLD webinars, cluster workshops, and teacher days being run for kaiako by Bay Science, AEC, ESSENZ, NZAEE, NZIP, and SCENZ. Pictured: Early morning mist rolling across Lake Āniwaniwa (Lake Aniwhenua) near Murupara in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Kia ora koutou


Welcome to Issue 31 of The Briefing, our weekly Bay Science newsletter bringing together science education news, classroom resources, and professional learning across Aotearoa New Zealand.

As senior students prepare for exam season and junior classes dive into hands-on Term 4 inquiries, we have two great opportunities to connect over the coming days: this Wednesday 4 November at 4:30 PM, we are joining forces online with the Aotearoa Educators Collective (AEC) to unpack the finalised Phase 1–4 Science Curriculum, followed on Monday 9 November (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) by our in-person Bay of Plenty Science Cluster Workshop at Pāpāmoa College. Whether you are dialing in from across the motu or joining us locally in the Bay, we would love to see you there.  Kia kaha,

Lian and Vicki info@bayscience.nz

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  • Whiti Ora by Sir Mason Durie (Huia Publishers) Released as part of Huia's Change-makers collection, Whiti Ora brings together key ideas from Sir Mason Durie's work on Māori health and hauora in Aotearoa. The collection explores Indigenous approaches to mental health and wellbeing, whānau health and community-led care, rongoā Māori and its role in healing, Te Tiriti o Waitangi's influence on health systems, and Māori contributions to public health.    https://huia.co.nz/collections/change-makers

  • New Book Launch — Butterflies and Moths of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson Packed with hundreds of full-colour photographs, diagrams, fun facts, and backyard identification guides, Liv Sisson's new book Butterflies and Moths of Aotearoa is officially launching this Tuesday 3 November 6:00 PM at Unity Books Pōneke with more events at Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin. This book could be a brilliant addition to any school library or entomology corner for summer bug-hunting. https://www.penguin.co.nz/articles/5426-butterfliesandmothsofaotearoa-booklaunch

  • Pounamu Confirmed as the Toughest Stone of Its Kind in the World (Earth Sciences NZ) Analysing seven samples from the Beck International Jade Research Collection, materials scientists at Earth Sciences New Zealand have confirmed what Māori carvers and tohunga have known for generations: high-quality Aotearoa pounamu is an extraordinarily tough stone with a unique interlocking fibrous crystal structure that researchers hope could inspire new ultra-tough synthetic materials. https://www.earthsciences.nz/news/pounamu-toughest-stone-of-its-kind-in-the-world

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

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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.


  • 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Lesson — Chiral Molecules The official Nobel Prize education team has released a ready-to-use classroom lesson package exploring the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on molecular mirror images (chiral molecules) and how they are created. https://bit.ly/48hAK0C


  • The Science of Slime — Viscoelasticity & Materials Science (Science in School) From Issue 67 of Science in School, this hands-on activity guides ākonga through how viscosity works in everyday materials and food products, challenging them to engineer slime with a specific balance of viscous and elastic properties for two real-world applications. https://scienceinschool.org/article/2024/the-science-of-slime/

  • "Where Can Physics Take Me?" Free Classroom Posters & Pathway Stories (The MacDiarmid Institute) The MacDiarmid Institute has created physics pathway stories profiling graduates with Bachelor's, Honours, and Master's degrees—including Marama (Energy Analyst), Jessica (Auditor and Operations Analyst), and George (Machine Learning Engineer). Science teachers can request free printed posters for their kura and links to teacher-only classroom resources by emailing macd-admin@vuw.ac.nz

  • Shy Safari A quirky website where you choose a habitat. The longer the room stays quiet, the more species which appear. https://www.shysafari.com/

  • Science Journal for Kids and Teens Hundreds of science articles. Written for students. Approved by scientists.

    FREE. Forever. https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/

  • Isaac Isaac is a platform of physics simulations. The idea is similar to that of a graphing calculator in mathematics: you change the inputs of a physical law and see what happens. https://isaac3d.com/

  • [Whangārei] Junior Astronomy Club — Telescopes & the Nature of Light (Northland Astronomical Society) Happening on Sunday 15 November (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM) at Planetarium North (Maunu, Whangārei) for tamariki aged 4–12. After a shared warm-up, participants split into two age groups: First Step Astronomers (ages 6 and under) exploring foundational astronomy concepts, and Junior Astronomers (ages 7–12) taking a closer look at how telescopes work and the nature of the light they collect. https://events.humanitix.com/junior-astronomy-club-rgyp9r8u

  • [Ōtautahi & Tāmaki Makaurau] Mission to Space Camps — 3-Day Secondary Aerospace Programme (Aotearoa Aerospace Academy) Delivered in partnership with SpacewardBound.NZ / Star Safari and It's Not Rocket Science, this hands-on 3-day space-science and aerospace programme invites secondary ākonga and school groups to plan and operate a Mars rover mission, design and launch model rockets, train like an astronaut, and work with robotics:

    • Ōtautahi Christchurch (21–23 December 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily): Hosted at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram (register here).

    • Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (25–27 January 2027, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily): Hosted in Takapuna, Auckland (register here).

  • [Closing Soon] Te Māhuri Scholarship: Summer Science Experience (Bioprotection Aotearoa) Open to Year 11–12 students in Waitaha Canterbury, running 7–18 December 2026. Applications close 8 November 2026. Questions: Meikura.Arahanga@lincoln.ac.nz https://bioprotection.org.nz/research/te-mahuri-scholarship/


  • BoP Science Cluster 2026 (Mon 9 Nov) Bay Science is organising the science-arm of an upcoming super cluster where a range of local associations will convene in the afternoon of November 9th. Science teachers of all year levels and specialities can register their interest here: https://www.bayscience.nz/post/cluster-3-2026-bay-science

  • Auckland Earth & Space Science (ESSENZ) Teacher Day — Full Itinerary Released (Mon 9 Nov): Hosted at the University of Auckland (Symonds & Wellesley St, Building 302, Room 130) from 9:00 AM sharp to 3:00 PM, next Monday's ESS Teacher Day brings together primary to secondary kaiako across Tāmaki Makaurau. The programme features:   

    • 9:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Craig Miller (GNS) on volcano monitoring and eruption forecasting; Roger Warren & Alex Rowe-Meerdink on high-altitude stratospheric drones; and John Smith introducing the ESS Hackathon.   

    • 10:50 AM – 12:30 PM: Catherine Qualtrough & Ben Taylor on the TPA-2 satellite project, followed by the group ESS Hackathon and judging.   

    • 1:30 PM – 2:50 PM: Ross Stephen & Najin Brock (ESSENZ) presenting on global perspectives and Phase 4 & 5 Earth Science curriculum changes.   


      Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScP69Auah79lsFF3rOt2nWuVBB9Ul2BF8Ra89E96mJ_9f2-xg/viewform

  • Reminder: Science Teacher Days A variety of specialist science teacher days are happening this term.

  • Specialist Classroom Teacher (SCT) Association Mathew Synge and colleagues have revived the national SCT Association and support group to help Specialist Classroom Teachers connect, share ideas, and support one another—with over 100 SCTs already registered. If you are an SCT (or know the SCT at your kura), email nz.scts@gmail.com to join the mailing list and Facebook group.

  • TriOceans Bay of Islands Marine Field Course (23–27 November 2026)  Places are still available for TriOceans' 5-day residential marine field course in Te Tai Tokerau (NZ$3,200 per person, accommodation included, trioceans.org). Participants design digital data collection systems, practise vessel navigation, deploy baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs), operate ROVs and photogrammetry rigs, and analyse marine ecology data.

  • SCENZ Paid Contract — Newsletter Editor With Ian Torrie stepping down after the final 2026 edition, SCENZ is seeking expressions of interest for a paid Newsletter Editor to compile 8 issues per year. Contact Ian at ian.torrie@gmail.com for details.

  • SCENZ & NZASE Paid Contract — Year 9–10 Chemistry Resource Reviewers (Nov 2026 – Jan 2027) SCENZ and NZASE are contracting experienced kaiako over the November 2026 to January 2027 window to review and edit AI-assisted draft resources aligned to the new Year 9–10 Chemistry curriculum. The package includes approximately 288 two-page lesson plans, 29 unit plans, 145 formative checks, a login-free annual planner (JSON/Excel/PDF), and a downloadable website. Expressions of interest can be sent to Alayna Pulham at Alayna.pulham@mags.school.nz


REMINDERS:

  • Aotearoa Educators Collective (AEC):

    • Phase 1–4 Science Curriculum Webinar (Wed 4 Nov, 4:30 PM) Co-hosted with Bay Science to unpack the finalised Years 1–10 Science Curriculum.   

    • From Blueprint to Action Vision Series AEC is hosting two further online sessions unpacking its five-ambition blueprint: Re-professionalising Teachers with Viv Anderson (4 Nov) and Building Shared Understanding of Education with Derek Wenmoth and Anthony McKay (11 Nov) at https://aec.org.nz/

    • Open Letter on Ethical Electioneering & School Briefs Read AEC's open letter calling for cross-party consensus (Beyond the Policy Ping-Pong) and watch the latest School Briefs video unpacking NCEA reform concerns, teacher aide funding, and financial literacy https://youtu.be/J18czxnDrmA


  • Secondary Chemistry Educators New Zealand (SCENZ):

    • 2026 AGM & Executive Roles The SCENZ AGM will take place on Wednesday 18 November at 4:55 PM during BioLive ChemEd in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Nominations are open for Auckland/Northland Regional Rep, Junior Vice President, and members interested in shadowing the Secretary or Treasurer.

    • Years 7–11 Chemistry Webinar Series SCENZ is developing a series of four to five 1-hour webinars tailored for new and non-specialist teachers covering Years 7–11 Chemistry.

    • SCENZ Paid Contract — Newsletter Editor With Ian Torrie stepping down after the final 2026 edition, SCENZ is seeking expressions of interest for a paid Newsletter Editor to compile 8 issues per year. Contact Ian at ian.torrie@gmail.com for details.


  • Earth and Space Science Educators NZ (ESSENZ):

    • Weekly Phase 4 Science Webinars (Tuesdays, 4:00 PM) Water Cycle runs this Tuesday 3 November, followed by Plate Tectonics on Tuesday 10 November and The Solar System on Tuesday 17 November

      https://forms.gle/uBSzQqD61LHo1sGCA


  • New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) Coming up this month:

  • Horticulture & Agriculture Teachers Association

    • HATA and the Sow the Seed Advisory team are running their Term 4 Regional Hub meetings across the motu.

    • 1.4 Sustainability Practice Exam: A new Level 1.4 Sustainability exam is available on the HATA website

    • Free Grow Game Copies: Any school that has not yet requested their free copies of the Grow Game can still order them via HATA's form: https://forms.gle/kukLagjDt6JvueeN7



  • Te Akatea Media Release — UN Concerns & Waitangi Tribunal Findings on Education Reforms Te Akatea, The Māori Principals' Association, has highlighted concerns raised by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June 2025) and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (December 2025) alongside two independent Waitangi Tribunal reports released in September and October 2026 (WAI 3553).

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED2610/S00034/how-can-aotearoa-have-a-world-leading-education-system-un-concerns-and-treaty-breaches-challenge-stanfords-claims.htm

  • Full Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (Tau 0–10) & NZC (Years 0–10) Released on Tāhūrangi Te Poutāhū (Curriculum Centre) has published the complete updated PDF suites for both Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (Tau 0–10) and the New Zealand Curriculum (Years 0–10) on Tāhūrangi (with interactive HTML versions to follow later this year), accompanied by new "What's New?" summary infographics and concept maps. https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/years-0-10-curriculum

  • Senior Secondary (Years 11–13) Hub, and final Y11-13 subjects, now ive A dedicated Years 11–13 subject hub is now live on Tāhūrangi to house senior secondary curriculum updates. https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/years-11-13-curriculum


Whakaaro which may be relevant to us as science educators.


  • NZARE Ipu Kererū Blog — "Restoring Māori Time through Story" Nikki Ferguson-Brown explores how teaching stories by Māori writers highlights Māori conceptions of space-time and questions Western linear assumptions of time—an insightful read for kaiako exploring mātauranga Māori perspectives on astronomy, maramataka, and space-time. https://nzareblog.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/maori-time-story/

  • Curriculum Insights & Progress Study — "Turning Insights into Conversations" CIPS have released a new web app which enables you to interactively take a closer look at what students can do in mathematics, reading and writing at Years 3, 6 and 8. https://curriculum-insights.nzcer.org.nz/

  • OECD TALIS 2024 Report & Webinar — "What Do Teachers Value in Their School Principals?" Following Andreas Schleicher's recent OECD webinar, the full recording, slide deck, and Value of School Principals in TALIS 2024 report are now available, examining how system-level support for school leadership directly shapes teacher retention and classroom practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZCNR8iUnYM

Join us this week and next!

  • Monday 9 November (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM): Bay of Plenty Science Cluster Workshop at Pāpāmoa College A reminder that registrations are open for the science arm of our upcoming regional super cluster on November 9th! Make sure you lock in your spot here: https://www.bayscience.nz/post/cluster-3-2026-bay-science

  • Wednesday 4 November (4:30 PM): Finalised Phase 1–4 Science Curriculum Webinar (Bay Science x AEC, Online)   Bay Science x Aotearoa Educators Collective will be hosting a live webinar on November 4th to discuss what's changed since the release of the finalised science curriculum, and how to prepare for the road which lies ahead. https://open.substack.com/live-stream/428993

  • 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 the free weekly Bay Science 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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