New Zealand Science Learning Hub Newsletter Autumn 2013
Welcome
Kia ora and welcome to the Science Learning Hub newsletter for Term 2 2013.
Autumn is an exciting time for science. Bar-tailed godwits are on their non-stop 7400 km flight to Alaska. Earthworms are active and closer to the surface. Rainy weather lends itself to studying the water cycle. But best of all, autumn brings us mild weather and early nights. Take advantage of these ideal conditions to introduce your students to our latest context: Satellites.
New context: Satellites – learning about natural and artificial satellites
Where would the modern world be without satellites? Communications, television, navigation, weather and national security – the list could go on and on! The ancient world also relied on natural satellites – like the Moon and the planets – for navigation and communication via storytelling.
Gravity and circular motion allow satellites to remain in orbit. In addition to explaining these science concepts, Satellites also traces how our ideas about the solar system and gravity have developed and changed with time.
Read how New Zealand scientists use satellites to study the atmosphere over the Antarctic and measure the sea ice. Use the Satellites and orbits interactive to learn about the function of various satellites and why they use a particular orbit. Find out how to turn an umbrella into a satellite dish and observe natural and artificial satellites.
Upcoming content
The Science Learning Hub has some great new content on the way.
New collection: Innovation
Innovation is a collection of resources to support young people in developing an ability to recognise how innovation happens, to understand the value it can bring and, in doing so, to develop skills, attitudes and values that better prepare them for contributing to our fast-changing world.
Innovation showcases contemporary stories of New Zealand innovators and innovations. These resources are designed for use in a range of learning areas, from science to technology to social science, and over a range of levels, from primary to NCEA.
Innovation will be live on the Hub soon.
New context: Soil, Farming and Science
Farming makes up a huge part of New Zealand’s economy and our national identity. The last century has seen significant changes in our farming practices. The use of fertilisers, irrigation and improved plant and animal breeding have made it possible to increase the amount of product a farm can produce.
Increased productivity is good for the economy and is vital to feed a growing world population, but intensification can come at an environmental cost. The Soil, Farming and Science context will introduce students to some soil basics, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, farm nutrient management and some of the creative ways in which science is helping to protect the environment.
Soil, Farming and Science will be live on the Hub later this year.
New collection: content for early primary years
We know that teachers are able to adapt resources to suit their students’ level of understanding but we hope to make it easier for those teaching in the early primary years. Under development is a new set of resources and formats for younger primary students. First up will be a resource on plant reproduction and seed dispersal. The collection will be published later this year.
Making the most of social media
The Science Learning Hub is now on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/nzsciencelearn
). This allows us to display resources from across the Hub in a variety of ways. For example, our boards highlight some of the big ideas in science: cycles, adaptation and models. Other boards display a collection of resources such as student alternative conceptions. Boards will be updated on a regular basis. You do not need a Pinterest account to view our boards. Simply follow the links.
Twitter (@NZScienceLearn) continues to be an effective way to communicate with the amazing and varied group of science teachers and educators around the country. We let you know how our resources link to current events and highlight other quality resources, and it’s a great way for you to ask us questions. To follow the Hub on Twitter, follow this link: https://twitter.com/NZScienceLearn
Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz
Best wishes
The Science Learning Hub Team
URL: www.sciencelearn.org.nz
