CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LATEST WINNERS

Thanks to everyone who entered the competitions in our February issue. There were some choice items up for grabs.

The Bits & Bytes Coding Card Game is on its way to Karen Nicholls, Matamata Intermediate, Waikato.

The Desktop Condenser Microphone was won by Sue Way, Wellington Girls’ College, Wellington. There were two 3D Hologram Visualisers on offer. The first names drawn from all entries were Michelle Warren, Hobsonville Point primary School, Auckland, and Janine , Harewood School, Christchurch.

Lastly, there was a choice of gold or black for the two JVC Portable Bluetooth Speakers. The two winners are Gaylia Bundle (gold), Katikati College, Bay of Plenty, and Elizabeth Trudeau (black), Garin College, Nelson.

Congratulations to you all. Missed out this time? You could try our new competitions on pages 34 and 35

NETSAFE LAUNCHES BITE-SIZED ONLINE SAFETY MODULES

Netsafe has unveiled new educational resources called ‘Micro Learning Moments’. Designed specifically for Year 9-11 students, the new classroom-friendly materials are bite-size interactive modules that can be used to encourage critical thinking around topics important to young people, as well as improve their digital literacy and online safety. The Ministry of Education funded initiative is available free to schools across Aotearoa. More on page 14.

Resources Keeping It Safe Online For Young People

N4L ADDS PARTNER COMPANIES FOR WI-FI UPGRADE Network for Learning (N4L) has partnered with five private sector IT companies to upgrade schools’ Wi-Fi networks. One of the largest IT projects in the country, Te Mana Tūhono (TMT, ‘the power of connectivity’) programme is being delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The initiative involves the design, procurement, replacement and support of Wi-Fi networks in schools and kura across the country.

“Our IT and Installer partners play a pivotal role in delivering new and upgrading existing products and services,” said N4L CEO, Larrie Moore. “They know the schools and they have worked hard to build the trust of principals over many years. Knowing we have a network of partners with long-standing relationships and a proven record of delivery makes us confident about delivering a world-class Wi-Fi service to schools and kura across the motu.”

Te Tari Taiwhenua’s ‘Keep it Real Online’ has information and resources to help educators keep young people safe online. The Department of Internal Affairs’ website contains age-appropriate tools, information and advice from a number of organisations for primary, intermediate and secondary school children. Educators can use these tools to empower their students to stay safe online. The site also contains resources such as videos that can facilitate those more challenging conversations about online harm in the classroom. More at keepitrealonline.govt.nz

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The new agreements with TTS, MB3, Isometric Solutions, GoCloud and Entity Hub mean N4L now has partnerships with 15 IT companies and 17 companies focused on the installation of equipment.

More at education.govt.nz/school/digital-technology/ your-schools-ict-network/te-mana-tuhono/

TO THE MOON MODE AND BACK

Samsung’s new cameras have a 100x zoom and a special AI-powered ‘moon mode’ that can take detailed pictures of the moon … sort of. In fact, the AI just knows what the moon looks like and can add detail to images.

GET YOUR CLASS EXCITED ABOUT STEM. JOIN THE ROCKET CHALLENGE!

Blast ākonga engagement with STEM to the stars by signing up for the Wonder Project Rocket Challenge, aligned to Level 3 of the NZ Curriculum. The programme is designed to teach STEM in a hands-on, engaging way –inspiring even the most disengaged ākonga and increasing their confidence with STEM. It’s free, fun and supported by industry professionals. Secure your spot on the Term 2 Rocket Challenge before lift off!

More on pages 12 and 13.

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN FIJI SET FOR HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Digicel Fiji, Southern Cross Cable Network and Ciena have teamed up to launch Project Semata, an initiative to provide high-speed internet access and online learning resources to three schools in Savusavu, Fiji. The initiative will give dedicated direct 10Mbps internet access to the Digicel Fiji network to all students and teachers at the Kamendra School, Savusavu Secondary School and St. Bedes Secondary School.

“We have been moving towards e-learning with the installation of interactive boards and overhead projectors for our Years 12 and 13 students and, with this timely assistance of free internet, we are able to empower our students with the best in learning,” said Rusiate Musudroka, Principal at Savusavu Secondary School. “Access to online resources is also helpful to our teachers in furthering the education experience.

Keeping Our Pledge

Digicel Fiji CEO, Farid Mohammed, added: “During the pandemic, Digicel pledged to keep everyone connected. We formed partnerships with the Ministry of Education to give students access to their schools’ virtual learning sites and classes, and provided subsidised data plans and zero-rated data access to essential learning sites. With Project Semata, we are keeping our pledge alive to provide internet access to these schools in Savusavu.”

Project Semata will support schools in Pacific Island communities for the next two years.

“It’s part of the Ciena Digital Inclusion programme, which is designed to help close the digital divide through greater connectivity, access to technology and digital skilling,” said Ivan Polizzi, Regional Managing Director, Ciena Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Polymath Receives Accelerator Award

Auckland education start-up Polymath is one of only two New Zealand companies selected as one of 12 techdriven start-ups for Startmate’s 2023 Summer Accelerator. This accelerator awards $120,000 in capital to help founders across Australasia propel their early-stage ventures. The 12-week programme aims to help founders set up short-term goals in addition to mapping out a year-long plan.

More at polymath.how

Survey On It Support Services To Schools And Kura

Can you help spread the word? As part of the Ministry of Education’s goal to strengthen cyber security and digital support in kura and schools, it would like to better understand what digital support services are being provided by suppliers into schools and kura, and identify any potential gaps.

A request for information (RFI) has been published on the Governments Electronic Tender Service (GETS). To help get as many responses as possible, please can you share the link to the survey with your school’s digital services suppliers. Survey Link here.

Artemis Missions Touch Down In Minecraft

NASA is returning to the Moon with the Artemis Missions. To mark this endeavour, Minecraft Education is partnering with NASA and the Challenge Center to bring Artemis Mission worlds into Minecraft. Learners can explore Newton’s Laws to design and launch a moon rocket, use code to navigate the Orion space capsule, and work as a team to build a survival base on the moon – meeting scientists along the way.

More at aka.ms/artemismissions