Introducing our PLD
The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao offers a range of opportunities to support teachers’ science teaching and increase their own science knowledge and understanding. These include the resources and articles published in the Teacher Professional Learning and Development (PLD) section. You'll find information from webinars, and about planning and pedagogy. Other opportunities are outlined below.
We advertise upcoming webinars under the Professional development filter in our Events section and in the Education Gazette. To be alerted to upcoming sessions or find out about other new content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter (see the bottom of each web page to subscribe or update your Profile). Keep an eye on the notification bell on our website (top right-hand corner) to see alerts on upcoming PLD. We also regularly promote upcoming events via our social media channels, such as our Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram pages.
We have a very helpful video about our PLD content and support in the How the Hub can help article here. Our webinar Science support at your fingertips gives you an overview of our site's capabilities. Our recorded webinar What does the Hub look like in the classroom? demonstrates what it looks like to plan using the Hub and how you might adapt resources for your students.
Poutama pattern
The poutama pattern can represent learning.
Webinars
We host a large number of webinars that have been recorded, edited and uploaded as webinar articles. These can be viewed online or downloaded. The live webinars are generally held on Thursday afternoons from 4.00–4.45 pm. The published articles also usually include a downloadable slideshow and related links. The Science Learning Hub produces about 8 of these each year, and they cover a wide variety of topics ranging from contextually based sessions to those designed to support teachers in planning and pedagogy.
Well done! So glad I was a participant today – resource rich, fun, totally engaging and relevant. Ka mau te wehi korua.
Information about our webinars are also shared through our social media channels, newsletters and on our website.
In our Teacher PLD section, use the PLD type – Webinars to filter to see all our recorded webinars.
Upcoming PLD webinars and opportunities
Watch this space for information on our PLD webinars lined up for 2026.
Sign up by 27 May for our free 4-week PLD course Unravelling the science/s of learning created in collaboration with NZASE.
If there is anything you would like, we'd love to hear from you, please email us: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Using School Kit to access our live webinars
School Kit runs the largest active professional community of teachers in New Zealand and provides private, professional spaces where teachers connect, share and support each other. We've collaborated with School Kit to create Lux, a dedicated space for science educators and a live stream host for our webinars. Our webinars are free to join and view.
If you are a member of the School Kit Squad already, fantastic! Please register to attend via our event listing and then and check out the Lux Space and RSVP through School Kit.
You will need to sign in to School Kit to enter the live stream webinar.
If you are not a School Kit Squad member it is straightforward to sign-up. You just need to create a username and password to get in. Use the link to get into the Lux space. We encourage you to do this prior to the event and also to RSVP through School Kit.
All those who register via our event form will receive an email the day before the webinar with a link that brings you into our Lux space and access to the webinar live stream. Registering via our form provides an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters, and you’ll be on the list to get an email when our edited recording with supporting materials is loaded in our Teacher PLD section.
Before the webinar follow these simple steps:
Register via the Science Learning Hub form for this event.
Sign in to School Kit Lux space.
It will ask you to create a profile, we encourage you to do so.
Under the tab ‘Events and Webinars’ you will see a link to the webinar.
Click the RSVP button and select ‘Going’.
Joining the webinar on the day
You will receive an email before the webinar live stream with a link to the School Kit Lux space.
Sign in to School Kit.
Under the tab ‘Events and Webinars’ you will see the link to the webinar.
Click the RSVP button and select ‘Going’.
To join in – selet the live stream button on the top of the Lux page. Alternatively go to the ‘Events and Webinars’ calendar section, select the webinar and you should see a clock counting down to the 4 pm start time.
Then you can:
Watch, listen and respond via chat to the presentation and discussion.
Ask questions using the chat at any time.
The Science Learning Hub team will be there to support you and answer questions or you can email us.
The Lux space
The Lux space is for more than webinars! We're building thriving community of teachers working together to inspire great science in classrooms across Aotearoa. We'll be sharing exciting resources, supporting innovative practice, building capability and confidence, and acknowledging that Lux grows stronger through collective illumination.
The article Introducing our Lux collaboration with School Kit has information about how to join and navigate the Lux | Shining the light on science space.
Planning
Many of these articles have been written specifically to support teachers in planning science programmes and activities. Some of these are based on specific science topics, and others are more generic. The resources offered here include planning pathways, unit plans and contextual support materials. These can be used as is or downloaded and modified to suit specific needs. Some of the webinars are also designed to support planning.
In our Teacher PLD section, use the PLD type – Planning filter to see all our Planning content.
Pedagogy
The Science Learning Hub offers a range of articles written to support teachers in effective science pedagogy. These resources include case studies of different approaches taken to science teaching, aspects of curriculum implementation, science capabilities and the nature of science. As with the resources to support planning, some are embedded within a particular context, and others are more generic. Some of the webinars also offer pedagogical support.
In our Teacher PLD section, use the PLD type – Pedagogy filter to see all our pedagogy content.
Collections tool
The collections tool helps you sort and classify resources when you are signed in. It has been developed to help you with your science planning and teaching. You can save, sort, classify and annotate resources. Students can also use the collections tool for class tasks such as research or as a study tool. PLD providers or school leaders can use it to provide support and ideas for others. You can access your personal collections from your profile page.
Use the ‘Add to collection’ button on individual resources to begin a new collection or add to an existing collection.
Within a collection, use the notes function to add comments to resources, including public or private notes. These can be used for creating a lesson plan, notes for extension ideas or prompts for students.
Your collections are private, but you can create a shareable link – just copy and share the public URL. If you receive a shareable collections link, click the copy icon to make it part of your private collection. You can now rename it, make changes and/or add extra notes. You can also collaborate with others by inviting them to your collection. Our Creating collections article has more tips on making the most of the collections tool, including a how-to video.
The Science Learning Hub team has created some collections for you to use – you will find them within the related content boxes on some of our resources – some examples are The periodic table of elements, Climate change and Takahē – science capabilities. There's a full list in the Creating collections article.
If you need more help navigating through your collections, please just ask the team – enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Curated resource collections on Pinterest
In Pinterest, we have curated collections of resources that have been compiled to support a context or theme, such as the topic of a webinar or a current event, for example, Conservation Week or Seaweek.
Curation of media articles
The Science Learning Hub uses social media platforms like Pinterest to curate content specific to the needs of educators. Here, we set up a board to collect media articles around the Rocket Lab Electron rocket test in 2017 for a class at Napier Central School.
Social media
The Hub has an active presence across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. These social media platforms allow us to interact with and support Hub users by facilitating closer connections between scientists and educators. They are also key in promoting other relevant resources, connections and conversations in the science/technology education and communication space. You can also find us on Pinterest.
Following us is a great way to make connections between topical events and Hub resources and for keeping up to date with upcoming events and new content. Find out more on how we can help you here.
