Ngā mihi o te wā
Seaweek is a great reminder to take opportunities to learn about and connect with our beautiful and unique marine environments. Scientists estimate that there may be as many as 65,000 marine species in New Zealand waters, and many of these species are not found anywhere else in the world!
This edition of Pitopito Kōrero highlights various marine education resources that you can use during Seaweek and beyond, and ideas to engage in Whio Awareness Month.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you require any advice, or have any feedback about this newsletter or our resources. We would love to hear from you!
Ngā manaakitanga,
DOC Outreach and Education team
Seaweek- Kaupapa Moana | 29 Feburary-8 March
Seaweek focuses on learning in the sea, about the sea and taking action for the sea. It’s about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to develop connections with our beautiful marine world! It’s a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habitats, characteristics and inhabitants better.
Seaweek- ideas for your classroom
Protecting our marine world
Use this inquiry unit to learn about a local marine environment and take action to help protect it. The unit contains literacy sheets to support learning about our unique marine species and connections within marine ecosystems.
The resource links to the New Zealand Curriculum at levels 1-4, but can be adapted for use at various levels.
Nature taster activities
These activities can be a fun way to explore and connect with a local marine environment.
Protecting our Estuaries
This new inquiry unit aims to provide students, teachers and their communities with opportunities to grow their knowledge, skills and understandings about estuaries, so that they can help resolve environmental challenges for their local coastal areas and beyond.
The resource links to the New Zealand Curriculum at levels 1-4, but can be adapted for use at various levels.
Marine Metre Squared is an easy way for anyone to survey the plants and animals living on their local seashore.
The NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, is encouraging everyone to participate in long term monitoring of their marine environment. Anyone can take part – individuals, families, schools and community groups and it can be used on different types of shorelines - sandy, rocky and muddy! Take a moment to join the Marine Meter Squared project – it's easy and free.
This interactive website enables you to explore life in the deep ocean.
Science Learning Hub have curated a range of articles and activities to support learning about the marine world.
Check out the variety of Seabird activities and resources on the DOC education page
Get into a marine reserve near you this Seaweek with Experiencing Marine Reserves
GET A FREE COPY OF THIS POSTER! Email us
conserved@doc.govt.nz
Using specialised 360-VR video technology New Zealand Geographic has produced VR experiences across six sites from Niue to the Hauraki Gulf.
Become a Water Champion with the Toyota Kiwi Guardians 'Toa Tiaki Wai' action medal
Young Ocean Explorers has a range of videos and quizzes to help bring the beauty, awe and fascination of the ocean and its inhabitants alive.
The Gulf Journal poster series is usable anywhere in New Zealand and includes an augmented reality app
Become a Guardian of the Ocean and make a difference by taking action with this list from Blue The Film
Whio Awareness Month is celebrated during March, when young adult whio which have been reared in captivity are released back into the wild. We celebrate the month with stories, events and competitions through our partnership with Genesis in the Whio Forever Programme.
Here are some ways you can get involved-
Based on and inquiry learning process and covering multiple learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum, the Junior (Years 1-4) and Senior (Years 5-8) resources contain teaching and learning material to support a unit of work based on whio. The resource is grounded in Environmental Education for Sustainability (EEfS) themes and incorporates aspects of Te Ao Maori.
Check out these new activities linked to the digital technology curriculum which use whio as a context for learning-
Follow the Whio Forever Facebook page for the latest news (including cute duckling pics!) and for chances to win some awesome prizes during the month, including Allbirds shoes and awesome whio Honeywraps!
Send us our outdoor teaching and learning goals for Term 1!
Whether it's to go on a weekly walk outside, try out one of the nature taster cards or start a nature inquiry - we want to know!
Tell us your goal and be in to win a New Zealand Nature Heroes book for your class!
In the next edition of Pitopito Kōrero, we will be sharing your goals to help inspire others to get outdoors and teach in nature.
To celebrate 50 years of Conservation Week in 2019, DOC asked kiwi kids to share their favourite outdoor activities – at the beach, the river, local parks and backyards.
The 50 winning entries received a 'get into nature' prize pack and will be featured in a new ‘50 things to do before you’re 12 ¾' activity sheet.
The downable resource will be available on the DOC website by Autumn 2020 to inspire young people to get outdoors and connect with our nature.
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Photo: Experiencing Marine Reserves Poor Knights Annual Competition Trip 2017 by Darryl Torckler