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ESSENZ have another great conference planned for teachers interested in Earth and Space Science, featuring activities in both Christchurch and Tekapo International Dark Sky area. This will be beneficial for any teachers of Yr 7-13 Earth and Space Science wishing to extend their knowledge and confidence in teaching ESS.
Key Details
Tuesday, 6th October
Speakers:
Welcome: Justin Zani, Presdient, Earth & Space Science Educators NZ
Keynote: Dave Frame.
Professor Dave Frame is a prominent New Zealand physicist and climate scientist who serves as a Professor of Physics at the University of Canterbury. He is widely recognized for his extensive work in climate change science, policy development, and atmospheric physics.
Wednesday, 7th October
Keynote Speakers:
Peyman Zawar-Reza (Professor, School of Earth and Environment)
Interdisciplinary Data Scientist interested in understanding complex dynamical systems, by analyzing their high frequency outputs/data, from which we might be able to infer their intrinsic mechanisms. Most of my research to date has involved studying the role of turbulence in the atmosphere, but recent advances in neurosciences has highlighted the fact the brain signals, can also be studied using methods applied to turbulent motion in fluids
Kate Pedley (Geology)
Dr Kate Pedley has been recognised with a University of Canterbury Teaching Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to geology education. With over 16 years of experience at UC, Kate transforms complex Earth Science concepts into accessible, engaging learning for all students. Her innovative teaching blends digital with hands-on fieldwork, helping students use a range of online tools to visualise subsurface models, geomorphic context and other complex geoscience structures in 3D to connect theory to real-world practice
Mark Rocket
Mark Rocket is a New Zealand entrepreneur, aerospace executive, and the founder and CEO of Kea Aerospace. He was a seed investor and co-director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. Rocket became the first New Zealander to reach space through a suborbital flight with Blue Origin on the New Shepard NS-32 mission in 2025.
Workshops:
Workshop 1: UC Rock Garden (Kate Pedley) or Junior Curriculum Support (Najin)
Workshop 2: Cool Demos and Experiments (Najin) or Phase 4 Curriculum: Plate Tectonics (Erin)
Pathways Round Robin Presenters: Ellen Robson and Catherine Yates (UC Geotech), Kylie Hogan (Aerospace for Good), John Hearnshaw (Aotearoa Aerospace Academy), Ethan Grant (Australasian Institute Mining Metallurgy), Learnwell Textbooks, and SciPad
Evening Session: Alan Gilmore (Astronomy Session)
After completing a degree in physics from Victoria University Alan Gilmore worked at Wellington´s Carter Observatory in the early 1970s. There with his wife, Pam Kilmartin, he established a programme tracking southern comets and near-Earth asteroids. Alan and Pam moved to Mt John at the end of 1980 where they ran a variety of observing programmes in support of University of Canterbury researches. Alan was Mt John superintendent (site manager) from1996 till formal retirement in 2014. He and Pam continue to run their near-Earth asteroid programme on Mt John as well as assisting with various Canterbury University outreach activities.
Thursday, 8th October
Keynote Speakers:
Marshall Palmer (Fireballs Aotearoa)
Dr Marshall Palmer is a prominent geologist, researcher, and technician based at the University of Otago Department of Geology in Dunedin, New Zealand.He is highly recognized for his work with Fireballs Aotearoa, a citizen-science network that tracks meteors and recovers fallen meteorites across New Zealand.
Workshops:
Evening Session: Alan Gilmore (Astronomy Session)2
Logistics
The cost of attending ESSENZ three day conference will be $350, which includes access to activities and workshops, accommodation in Christ's College on the 6th October (including breakfast and dinner), transport to and from Tekapo. There will be a $50 fee reduction for Christchurch locals who do not need accommodation on the 6th.
Meeting point is the Antarctic Centre (near the airport) on 6th October at 1pm. Transport will be available to take you to Christ's College after the activities for the first night accommodation and meal, then to each of the venues including Tekapo. Transport will be leaving Tekapo at 9am on Friday 9th and will drop off at the airport by approximately midday. It will then continue to Christchurch for those who are attending the AGM in person.
Funding Support
ESSENZ support a limited number of attendees with $500 towards transport and accommodation, plus registration costs, thanks to NEX funding.
Funding support is available from PPTA (but not from both PPTA and ESSENZ).
Registration
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