Our June pānui features the night sky, the deep oceans and pedagogy on scientific investigations.
Celebrating Matariki – and lots of new Hub content!
Winter brings opportunities to view the night sky. As Aotearoa New Zealand approaches the rise of the Matariki star cluster for 2021, look upward for authentic cross-curricular science learning.
Matariki
Matariki is one of the most widely known star clusters around the world! The Hub has several resources that introduce both the science and mātauranga of this special group of whetū:
- The Matariki star cluster – article
- Te iwa o Matariki – labelling interactive
- Naming the whetū in te kāhui o Matariki – activity
- Constellations in the night sky – activity
Observing the night skies
Matariki is part of te Maramataka – the traditional Māori lunar calendar. Whetū and ngā mata o te marama (phases of the Moon) inform many traditional practices, including wayfinding.
Learn more about the Moon (and some of its misconceptions) before going outside to observe how the Moon appears to move across the sky.
Investigations in science
Science and mātauranga pūtaiao use investigations to collect data and help us make sense of the world around us. All learners are able to gather data – from the early years to high school and beyond. Our new article Investigating in science unpacks what this might look like in the classroom. It contains the interactive Ways of investigating in science, which covers a range of scientific approaches along with helpful videos and links to practical resources.
Using infographics to communicate in science
Science knowledge is often communicated through visual representations. The Hub has teamed up with the Department of Conservation to host marine infographics that illustrate and explain key science ideas surrounding habitats, biodiversity and establishing special reserves. Explore:
- Marine diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand
- New Zealand marine habitats
- Threats to marine habitats
- Areas of marine ecological importance
- Mussel reefs and biodiversity
Visual representations like infographics have literacy components that students may need support to understand. The activity Using infographics helps students think about how the data is presented and what message the representation is trying to convey.
Take the opportunity to visit a marine reserve, even if winter is keeping you indoors!
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We offer added value through our social media. Contact us about creating collections or boards tailored to your needs. We can help foster connections between the education and science communities.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nzsciencelearn
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/NZScienceLearn
- Pinterest: nz.pinterest.com/nzsciencelearn
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sciencelearninghubnz
Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Regards
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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