Welcome to the New Zealand Association
of Primary Science Educators

The NZAPSE is a branch of the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE). Our role is to celebrate science in Primary Schools and to enhance the teaching and learning of science at primary level. The NZAPSE runs an annual Primary Science Week in Term 2 proving an opportunity for all New Zealand schools to engage in science learning.

 

Primary Science Week 2021

17 – 21 of May 2021 (Week 3 Term 2) is Primary Science Week.  Our theme is Whakanui Pūtaiao Engaging with Māori Scientists and their mahi. Go to our Primary Science Week  page to find out more about this topic and some activities and resources you can use with your classes.

PLD for Primary Science Week

Webinar from the Science Learning Hub

Whakanui pūtaiao 13 May 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

Join us to hear achievable, practical ideas from primary teachers classroom experiences and discover resources to support the growth of mātauranga pūtaiao in your Science programme. All details here.

 

Improving Science Teaching: Ideas from the Education Review Office

Have a look at these three reports from information collected from schools around New Zealand. See what schools have done to improve their teaching.

These reports can be found here

  • Science in the Early Years: Early Childhood and Years 1-4
  • Shining a Light on Science: Good Practice in Early Childhood Services
  • Growing Curiosity: Teaching Strategies to Engage Years 5-11 Students in Science

 

NZAPSE Newsletters

Each newsletter will contain useful resources and teaching activities.
Term 2 2021 available now – Including ideas for Primary Science Week and recommendations about resources for improving the teaching of Science from the ERO reports.
Topics and links to newsletters can be found here.

 

Helpful Resources Collected for Online Teaching

(if it happens again)

If you click this link you will find a range of experiments, activities, resources and helpful hints that were useful when teaching online. They are still useful  now you are back in the class room. Resources will continue to be added, so come back soon to see what is new.

Professional Development for Primary Teachers 2021 

You can apply to MoE for PLD for your school. Deadlines to apply for Regionally-allocated PLD for 2021: 19 Feb, 14 May, 6 Aug, 29 Oct (end of week 2). A panel meets by week 7 and lets  schools know week 8 so you can contact your PLD facilitator & plan to start delivery in the following term. https://pld.education.govt.nz/ . (Wellington is full) For help with this process we have some helpful information on this page of the website.

 

Don’t Forget

Questions and Answers

Here is a chance for you to ask those questions about Primary Science that you can’t find the answers to yourself. Click on this page for all details as well as questions asked by others.

Centrally Funded PLD for Primary Science

Do you need help to revamp your Science programme? Are you new to the role of lead Science teacher? There is funding available to support you. Go here to find all the information you need and where you can get help in this process.