Connected in 2007
Connected 1 2007
This issue of Connected begins with three articles about limestone caves. “A Trip to Nīkau Cave” is told from the point of view of a student intrigued by the unusual world of Nīkau Cave in the Waikāretu Valley. “How to Make a Limestone Cave” describes in simple terms the way in which limestone caves, and some of the formations within them, result from the action of groundwater. “The Secret Underground” describes some adaptations of cave-dwelling organisms and makes simple comparisons between a cave wētā and the many related species above ground.
One animal observed in “A Trip to Nīkau Cave” is a kōura, or freshwater crayfish. “Counting Kōura” describes the collaborative research being carried out between Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa, and NIWA to appraise the health of local kōura populations. Population surveys involve counting animals in the wild – no small challenge in a lake or stream. This article describes why the researchers eventually turned to tau kōura, traditional Māori crayfish traps, to get their information. These proved more effective than other options tried.
“Finding Friday” is set in a busy classroom scattered with art supplies and equipment. The teacher, Mr Rainbow, has a solution. In his “Finding Friday” sessions, his class find all the missing items from various sets of equipment – and engage in lots of number work as part of a points competition.
Connected 2 2007
This issue begins with two technology items that explore rice as a versatile staple with a central place in traditional Asian food technology. “Rice, Rice, Rice” describes the many traditional ways in which the Vietnamese use all parts of the plant. The companion article, “Room 8’s Rice Craze”, recounts the way in which a class of innovative New Zealand students decide to develop some new rice products of their own.
Microbes are the subject of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, which describes: the ubiquitous nature of bacteria, fungi, and viruses; the ecological roles they play; some of the many ways in which humans take advantage of bacteria and fungi; and microbes’ occasional role as diseasecausing organisms. “The Invasion” expands on the last of those topics by describing a chickenpox infection and the effects of the VZV virus on various cells and tissues as the infection progresses. The body’s immune responses, which lead to full recovery and eventual immunity, are also described.
Sequential patterns are the subject of “The Finishing Touch”. In this story, a mother and daughter are planning to decorate their rumpus room. As part of the planning, they take the guesswork out of design decisions by mathematically appraising all sorts of options for sequences of both patterns and colours.
Connected 1 2007, item 31978. Teachers’ Notes, item 31979.
Connected 2 2007, item 31968. Teachers’ Notes, item 31969.
Distribution
Copies of Connected 1 and 2 and the teachers' notes are being distributed in March to schools with primary classes. Intermediate schools will receive two reference copies of each and can order a limited number of extra copies free of charge.