Start the year with joy and curiosity in nature
Term One can be a hot time of year, as we move into the last part of summer and look forward to harvesting delicious kai in autumn. Make the most of your outdoor learning spaces and local area as you start the year, with lots of time in te taiao, exploring and connecting with the environments around you.
Summer nature exploring seasonal slideshows from DOC are a great way to add nature connection activities to your learning.
The start of a new school year is also the perfect opportunity to encourage ākonga and your wider school community to use active travel options, with events over February and March including the Aotearoa Bike Challenge and in the Wellington region Movin' March.
Click on the bold headings below to access resources, websites and more information about events happening this term.
Events this term
Week 1
Feb 2 World Wetlands Day
This year's theme is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing. Closer to home, it provides an opportunity to find out where your local repo | wetlands are (or used to be), using resources from the Science Learning Hub.
Week 1 - 2
Jan 1 - Feb 12 NZ Bug of the Year
The Entomological Society of New Zealand is proud to launch the second ever Bug of the Year competition with 20 incredible nominees vying for the top spot. Voting closes on Monday Feb 12, so make sure you check out the website in the first few weeks of school!
Week 3
Feb 12th: LEARNZ virtual field trip: Pakake, New Zealand sea lions
Join an immersive journey, alongside iwi and scientists, to locations around Ōtepoti Dunedin to find out about the population recovery of pakake
Week 5
Feb 26th: LEARNZ virtual field trip: Environmental guardianship in Tamatea Dusky Sound
Uncover unique ecosystems above and below the water, cultural heritage, and conservation efforts
March 1 - April 12: Young Ocean Explorers 21 Day Challenge
Inspirational Young Ocean Explorer Riley Hathaway, and her father Steve, will take you above and below the glistening waters of the Hauraki Gulf to meet all the amazing species and their habitats, learn about the challenges the Gulf is facing, and be inspired by the amazing people making it a better place. Aimed at Levels 1 - 4 of the NZ Curriculum, teachers receive 21 lesson plans as part of the programme.
Week 6
March 2 - 10 Seaweek
Celebrate connecting with our seas, with lots of resources and local events happening around the motu (click the Seaweek link to find out more).
We've created a Spotlight article to help with ideas for learning: Moana | Marine Resources for Seaweek
March 3 World Wildlife Day
The theme this year is Connecting People and Planet: Exploring digital innovation in wildlife conservation.
March is Whio Awareness Month
There are some great links here between World Wildlife Day and the international days for rivers and water, all happening in March. If you don't have Whio in your area you could choose another freshwater bird or animal to focus on this term.
Week 7
March 14 International Day of Action for Rivers
The link above takes you to the Science Learning Hub website, with lots of great links to river resources and stories.
Week 8
March 20 Autumn Equinox
Ngahuru | Autumn Seasonal Activities has lots of ideas and resources to help you celebrate this time of year, when the day and night length are equal (it usually falls on the 21st, but is on the 20th this year).
March 22 World Water Day
The link above takes you to the Science Learning Hub website, with links to relevant resources. The theme for World Water Day 2024 is Water for Peace.
