Getting to the heart of topical issues
Our pānui for Hūrae introduces free webinar opportunities and new resources, which cut across science, society and education.
New resources on topical issues
There’s a lot happening in the science and education spaces and we have resources to help build your understanding and confidence.
Knowledge systems
The artwork Strands Intertwined contains a DNA strand worked into the landscape, with earth on one side and a sky full of stars on the other. The artist's concept was that science could bring the land and the whānau together.
Free PLD webinars
Te Mātaiaho – the curriculum refresh – places mātauranga Māori at the heart of learning areas. It’s at the heart of our upcoming webinars, too.
Local curriculum at its best! Get to know your local trees with He rauemi reo Māori mō ngā rākau – Te reo Māori plant resources. This webinar is looking to be our most popular yet!
Date: 27 July, 4:00–4:45 pm
Pauline Waiti and Rosemary Hipkins look at the question What is a knowledge system? and use familiar science concepts to show which of them might be appropriately explored through science and mātauranga knowledge lenses.
Date: 10 August, 4:00–4:45 pm
And for some light-hearted fun and a good dose of hands-on science, join Science in a Van’s Hive Mind webinar to explore light and colour.
Date: 31 August, 4:00–4:45 pm
Exploring te ao Māori concepts
The maramataka is a traditional Māori lunar-stellar system based on the movements and phases of te Marama and ngā whetū. This article provides a brief introduction along with links to additional resources.
Artificial intelligence is changing our world. What effects might ChatGPT have on Māori data sovereignty?
Decolonising science is a Conversation article proposing pūtaiao, conceptualised as kaupapa Māori science, as a means of decolonising and redefining science into the future.
Māori data sovereignty
Graphic illustration completed by Fuselight Creative during a presentation by Dr Te Taka Keegan titled Issues with Māori Sovereignty over Māori Language Data.
The presentation was given at the HELISET TŦE SḰÁL ‘Let the Languages Live’ – 2019 International Conference on Indigenous Languages hosted by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation in Victoria B.C., Canada.
Original illustration © Fuselight Creative.
Antimicrobial resistance – a wicked problem
We usually think of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a human health issue, but the interconnectedness of humans, animals and ecosystems makes this a wicked problem. New Zealand Food Safety and the Hub have created a suite of resources to support learning about AMR:
The history of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance introduces the origins and uses of antibiotics and includes an interactive timeline to show how scientific thinking has changed as AMR has developed.
Reducing the risks of antimicrobial resistance has useful tips for human and animal health.
Antimicrobial resistance – a context for learning provides pedagogical and curriculum information and includes an interactive planning pathway, which groups resources into planning themes.
Antimicrobial resistance – planning pathways
Use this interactive to discover a range of resources about microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance. Select a label for more information.
Go here for further information, including the transcript.
Consider how you can use these resources at part of World AMR Awareness Week – 18–24 November 2023.
Some things to think about
The early winter nights are a great time to try one or more of our astronomy activities.
Look out for new resources coming soon on RNA interference – a novel way to silence genes. We look at how it is being used overseas to control varroa mites and myrtle rust and consider its social implications for use in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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