In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.

Bill Nye the Science Guy is talking about archaeology – can you dig it?

Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill+Nye+Archaeology/1_zqpa6xvx

The Canterbury coastline is spectucular in its variety, from Kaikoura to Pegasus Bay and from Banks Peninsula/Horomaka to South Canterbury.

Bill Nye’s trying to tell you something – about communication.

Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyW8iuCkc-I

This article describes how the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed nearly 2000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, were preserved by the eruption and now show people what life was like in these cities long ago. Modern technology has allowed archaeologists to excavate the volcanic ash and to discover details about the eruption and about the artefacts that remain.

During the Christchurch earthquake, the Christchurch cathedral was so badly damaged it couldn’t be used. Therefore, the people in charge of the cathedral worked with architects, engineers, and builders to build an innovative new temporary cathedral.

Pauline Harris, a scientist of Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungunu descent, is working with a team of researchers to collect and record mātauranga from iwi and hapū about plants and animals in Aotearoa. The team is using a computer program to record the mātauranga and connect it to particular times and places in history. They hope that this information will help us understand how climate change is affecting Aotearoa’s wildlife and ecosystems, knowledge that we can then use to plan for the change.

This comic biography tells the story of Betty Batham, a pioneering marine biologist. Born in an era when a woman’s place in society was largely limited to home and family, Betty rose to become a noted scientist whose legacy in the sciences lives on.

Squawkzilla is a giant parrot that lived in New Zealand 19 million years ago. Its bones were dug up in 2008, but it was not correctly identified for another ten years. This article tells the story of Squawkzilla’s discovery. It demonstrates how scientists work and how it is possible to make educated guesses about what life used to look like millions of years ago. It shows that scientific “discoveries” often take time and require careful observation and teamwork.

This article describes the evolutionary development of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and addresses the question of why our flora and fauna are so distinct. It introduces and explains the concepts of evolution and adaptation and offers a brief overview of how the land itself changed over many millions of years.

Connected promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical literacy so that students can engage in a critical and informed manner with real-life science- and technology- related issues and authentic, context-based mathematical explorations. Connected is provided to all primary schools.

We can dish the real dirt about dinosaurs, thanks to fossils – traces of theses astonishing animals.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XjqxgfZwqI&list=PLC1A0KOYvlM4Xqyn3GdQqjVm2-THJY-ZH&index=3

These PDF posters, student worksheets, Quizzz quiz and teacher notes provide an introduction to: A history of the America’s Cup, the history of sailing, how Genesis is powering Emirates Team New Zealand

Looking out for the nine stars of the Matariki this Māori New Year? Check out this article for tips on how to find the star cluster in the early morning sky.

Hold it right there, buddy – it’s the “Forensics” show

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3xuHnbXM4

Here’s hoping you’ll dig Bill Nye the Science Guy in the “Fossils” episode.

Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d-cXkkPecE

This book provides the opportunity for children to investigate fossils and how they are made (the process of fossilisation). By doing so, children gain further evidence that life on Earth was different in the past and have the opportunity to develop their concept of things changing over time.

Creating your own fossil is a fun project that will show you how scientists use them to research extinct species such as dinosaurs.

Have fun as you make a fossil and learn about the science behind them. Fossils are one of the reasons scientists know so much about animals such as the dinosaurs which lived on earth millions of years ago.

Hydro turbines let us harness the energy of water and with the help of a generator, turn it into electricity. People have used the power of water for more than 2,000 years. Did you know the ancient Egyptians used water wheels for grinding grains? Watch our video to make and test your own hydro turbine with housing at school or home.

Matariki is a cluster (group) of stars that set during May/June, and rise during June/July annually. The rising of the Matariki star cluster signifies the Māori new year, a time to celebrate new lives, and those who have passed on, with kai (food), waiata (song), and haka (dance), a time for reflection, planning, and coming together as a whānau. Māori tūpuna (ancestors) look to Matariki to time preservation of crops for winter, and to predict the success of the coming year’s harvest.

Suzy returns to her old primary school (Well, one of them. She went to three in the space of 5 years) to look at how things have changed.

A Colossal Squid, known only from the Southern Hemisphere, has joined the fish at Portobello. Please help us design a home for our newest resident.

Curriculum resources to promote deep learning based around safe travel, citizenship and big events.