Term 1 2025 Newsletter

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Kia ora and Happy 452 to all you maths nerds! 😊

This term’s newsletter includes some useful ideas to set up a science area in your classroom, some of the exciting science ‘happenings’ around the motu and PLD opportunities for 2025. More resource ideas are found in previous newsletters – here.

 Primary Science Week 2025 (12-16 May – Week 3 Term 2) Mark this on the calendar now!

Ready to explore the world of science? This year’s Primary Science Week dives into Science Exploration with fun competitions, exciting webinars, and plenty of hands-on learning. It’s time to spark curiosity and discover the wonders all around us. Keep an eye out on the NZAPSE website for more information as it becomes available.

Setting up a Science ‘Space’ in your room

How about setting up a small science/nature table in your classroom. A place to encourage curiosity, experimentation, and a love for learning. Here are some suggestions to start you off! More ideas found here

  • Sink or float: Provide a container of water and various objects like coins, feathers, and sponges. Let students test their predictions about buoyancy.
  • Magnetic mystery bag: Hide magnets inside different objects and challenge students to find them using only a metal wand. Discuss the properties of magnets.
  • Flower heads – eg a sunflower, dandelion (think seed dispersal here too!)
  • Cones, shells, feathers, cicada shells and wings

Be sure to include a bit of a word wall with relevant explicit science terms!  Here are a list of words that could be used in your science area. How about sending us a photo of your science area!

What’s on this term:

  • NZ Bug of the Year (January 1 – February 17): A national competition hosted by the Entomological Society of NZ
  • Big Butterfly Count (February 8 – 16): Participate in citizen science projects to count butterflies. This year we will be doing our Butterfly Counts for a longer period, a whole week (especially for schools) and over two weekends.
  • Festival of Women and Girls in Science (February 15) An inspiring day of hands-on science! Perfect for young scientists aged 5-15 and their whānau. (Christchurch)
  • Young Ocean Explorers 21-day Challenge (February 28 – March 20): A challenge for students in Years 1 – 8 to explore marine life.
  • Seaweek (March 1 – 9): Celebrate our seas with local events and resources.(see also Science Learning Hub for resource ideas)
  • Seaweed Fest 2025!  (March 1 – 9): Celebrate our underwater forests with events happening across Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
  • World Wildlife Day (March 3): Learn about wildlife conservation and participate in related activities.
  • World Water Day (March 22): Celebrate and learn about water preservation with activities related to climate change.

PLD Opportunities

Become a member! It’s free!

NZAPSE is a branch of the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE). Our role is to support science in Primary Schools and enhance the teaching and learning of science at primary level. NZAPSE runs an annual Primary Science Week, Week 3 Term 2. Other ways to be updated is to keep an eye on NZ Primary Science Teachers fb page and our website.

It is currently free for all Primary schools to become member organisations with NZASE and you can find out more about this here.

…and just for a laugh!

Why did the physicist break up with the biologist? 
 - There was no chemistry

What do you call an acid with an attitude?
 - A-mean-oh acid

What do you call it when your science teacher lowers your grade?
 - Bio-degraded

Got a question?

To get in contact with us – visit the Contact Us page on our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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