The SLH, NZASE and NEX have collaborated to offer primary and secondary teachers of science with a fresh way to learn, connect and upskill.
Primary PLD News
Secondary PLD News
Latest PLD News
Latest PLD News
NZASE and NEX bring more PLD Term 3
More free PLD opportunities for teachers of primary and secondary. See below.
NZASE term 2 Secondary PLD- presentation
Available here
Latest news from NZQA and MoE
On Friday 21st March NZQA and MoE published new information for Level 1 standards.
| Examplars | 2024 Moderator's Reports | Sample resources for external assessment in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Science | 91923 (Science related claims) |
| Chem/Bio | Chem/Bio | 92022 (Genetics) |
| PESS | PESS | 92046 (Sun, Moon, Earth) |
| AgHort | AgHort | 91931 (Sustainability) |
Overseas Trained Science Teachers Webinar
Hot on the heels of the PPTA Overseas Trained Teachers (OTT) webinar, NZASE wants to provide subject specific support to science teachers.
Hear from our primary and secondary OTT panelists in how they navigated the NZ science curriculum, the resources + supports they found useful, and connect with other OTTs to build your network.
This event has past but you can access the recording here
NZASE PLD in 2025
Primary Science PLD 2025
Free NEX Funded Science Alive Workshops!
Ready for something a bit different? Science Alive has been inspiring New Zealand’s next generation in science and technology since 1991, and now thanks to NZASE, we’re bringing brand new educator workshops to you!
Term 4 – online PLD
Join the Science Alive team to unpack our brand new suite of observation resources supported by NZASE. Start 2026 with a clear guide to enhancing the nature of science in your classroom. Our wide range of free resources are here to support all ages and are seamlessly integrated into an already busy curriculum.
From teacher guides, scientific discussions, interactive lessons and hands-on investigations – there is something to suit every classroom. Whether you’re aiming to build your confidence or refine your skills, don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your teaching practice!
These sessions will be recorded and distributed to attendees.
Who: Primary and Intermediate Classroom Teachers (Year 0-8)
When: 3:30pm – 4:45pm, Tuesday 21st October or Wednesday 22nd October
Cost: Free! (funded by NZASE and TDA)
Register: HERE
South Island
From the 21st July – 6th August, join us as we travel around the South Island delivering hands-on, in-person workshops designed to strengthen your science teaching by integrating literacy and numeracy. Gain practical tools, boost your confidence, and learn strategies to seamlessly incorporate science into your existing timetable!
Who: Primary and Intermediate Educators (Year 0-8)
When: 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Afternoon Tea Provided)
Cost: Free (funded by NZASE and TDA)
Register: HERE
| Area | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson | Tāhunanui School | Monday 21st July |
| Greymouth | Grey Main School | Wednesday 23rd July |
| Timaru | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School | Tuesday 29th July |
| Oamaru | St Joseph's School | Wednesday 30th July |
| Christchurch | Cotswold Primary School | Thursday 31st July |
| Queenstown | Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau | Monday 4th August |
| Invercargill | James Hargest Junior College | Tuesday 5th August |
| Dunedin | Tahuna Normal Intermediate School | Wednesday 6th August |
North Island
From the 12th May – 3rd June, join us as we travel around the North Island delivering hands-on, in-person workshops designed to strengthen your science teaching by integrating literacy and numeracy. Gain practical tools, boost your confidence, and learn strategies to seamlessly incorporate science into your existing timetable!
Who: Primary and Intermediate Educators (Year 0-8)
When: 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Afternoon Tea Provided)
Cost: Free (funded by NZASE and TDA)
Register: https://www.sciencealive.co.nz/events/bring-science-alive–educator-workshops
| Area | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Rotorua | St Mary's Primary School | Monday 12th May |
| Hamilton | Berkley Normal Middle School | Tuesday 13th May |
| Auckland (North) | Northcross Intermediate School | Wednesday 14th May |
| Whangārei | Whangārei Intermediate School | Thursday 15th May |
| Napier | Napier Intermediate School | Monday 19th May |
| Palmerston North | Freyberg High School | Tuesday 20th May |
| New Plymouth | Highlands Intermediate School | Wednesday 21st May |
| Wellington | Wellington South Intermediate School | Thursday 22nd May |
| Auckland (South) | Papatoetoe Intermediate School | Tuesday 3rd June |
Secondary Science PLD 2025
With the new NCEA standards in their second year, we will continue to support teachers with developing their understanding to the best of our ability. We will also expand our workshops to include more for those in the junior sciences, with a focus on literacy and numeracy in Science, as well as preparation for level 1.
Linda will be traveling around the country again, trying to reach as many of the smaller areas as possible. There will also be an online session for those that miss out on the face to face workshops.
If you have any requests or suggestions, please feel free to email Linda [email protected]
Term 1
Main Focus: Unpacking Moderation, Writing and Critiquing Assessment Tasks. Information flier here
To register : http://forms.gle/57yQo1aRGp4pQwmq9
Presentation recording: click here
| Area | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waikato | Cambridge High School, Cambridge | Thursday 6th March | 2-5pm |
| Hawkes Bay | Lindisfarne College, Hastings | Monday 10th March | 12-4pm |
| Oamaru | Waitaki Girls High School | Wednesday 12th March | 10am-2pm |
| Dunedin | South Otago High School | Friday 14th March | 10am-2pm |
| Auckland | Tangaroa College, South Auckland | Monday 17th March | 10am-2pm |
| Northland | KerikeriHigh School, Kerikeri | Tuesday 25th March | 10am-2pm |
Term 2
Main Focus: Numeracy + Context = Science , Writing Assessment Schedules and Moderating Student Work. NZASE Term 2 2025 Workshop poster
To register: click here
Presentation recording: click here
| Area | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waikato | Te Aroha College | Monday 12th May | 10am-2pm |
| Whakane | Whakatane High School | Tuesday 13th May | 10am-2pm |
| Palmerston North | St Peter's College | Thursday 15th May | 10am-2pm |
| Wellington/Lower Hutt | Taita College | Friday 16th May | 10am-2pm |
| Christchurch | Haeata Community Campus | Tuesday 27th May | 9:30am-1:30pm |
| Methven | Mt Hutt College | Wednesday 28th May | 10am-2pm |
| West Coast | TBA | TBA |
Term 3
Main Focus: Literacy in Science: Explaining for understanding
NZASE Term 3 2025 Workshop poster
To register: click here Email: Linda Haycock
Presentation recording: click here
| Area | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invercargil | Southland Girls | Monday 28th July | 1-4pm |
| Alexandra | Dunstan High School | Tuesday 29th july | 12-4pm |
| Dunedin | Logan Park high school | Thursday 31st july | 2-5pm |
| Auckland | Western Springs College | Moday 4th August | 2-5pm |
| New Plymouth | New Plymouth Boys High School | Thursday 7th August | 10am-2pm |
Term 4
Main Focus: Science education: moving forward
Looking back at 2025 science education, L1 standards, inclusion of literacy and numeracy, then looking forward to the next steps for 2026.
| Area | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taupō | Wednesday 12th November | 1-4pm | |
| Gisborne | TBA | ||
| Wellington | TBA | ||
| Nelson | TBA | ||
| Christchurch | in conjunction with CSTA conference |
Science subject associations and PLD
All Science subject associations have Networks of Expertise funding to provide PLD. This will be important to help teachers prepare for new standards coming into effect in 2024. To get on their PLD contact lists, email: Allan for BEANZ (Biology); Suzanne Scourfield for SCENZ (Chemistry); Helen for NZIP (Physics); Donna or Jenny for ESSENZ (Earth & Space Science); and Kerry for HATA (Agriculture and Horticulture).
Primary teachers can find resources and support at the New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators: nzapse.nzase.org.nz
Level 1 resources:
General Resources for Level 1 2024 onwards
Linda has gathered resources she has come across over time. These include:
- 800 word literacy articles that can be used for S1.3 & S1.4
- Ideas for teaching students to unpack resources for assessment of S1.3 & 1.4
- Examples of resources that could be used for formative and summative assessments
Previous PLD
2024 Access to resources from PLD
2024 Term 3
Member only Science 1.4 practice assessment resources
2024 Term 2
The PowerPoint, shared resources and discussion summary from the term 2 clusters are available here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gypbqQsezk-P3fkN07J4YnMS2yYLOoF6?usp=sharing
2024 Term 1
In term 1 2024, PLD involved weekly support for L1 NCEA Science. Each presentation was recorded and, together with the PowerPoint, a written summary of the discussion and some shared resources, are available at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AgNV7hp3jVO7Wpl-drQRJKjS4lVXkfLi?usp=sharing
2023 Access to resources from PLD
L1 Unit Plans
In mid-November 2023, NZASE brought together a group of 12 experienced teachers, four from pilot schools, to create these L1 units. They are intended to show teachers what units might look like for a L1 course assessed with the NCEA Science standards. We hope you find these units helpful.
Please make a copy of the folder or files, and then you will find those copies in your own computer’s Google Drive (look for My Drive on the left side of your screen).
Pilot school resources
Watch the December 1 2023 panel discussion with some pilot schools on the new L1 Nature of Science standards.
This Google Drive includes the resources developed earlier by pilot schools piloting the L1 Science standards, which are now available to all Science teachers.
Please be aware that these are based on pilot standards. The specifications have changed for all standards to a varying degree.
PLEASE CHECK AGAINST THE CURRENT STANDARD BEFORE USE.
2022 Access to resources from PLD
Webinars on L1 Science standards with pilot schools
In 2022, NZASE organised four webinars, each focussing on one of the L1 Science standards. In these, teachers from four pilot schools were interviewed about how they approached each standard, the teaching and the assessment. View these webinars below.