Merry Christmas y'all!

Well as the year slowly finishes up, and I must admit the high temperature records and odd very muggy day are certainly making it a memorable finish, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a refreshing break.

http://gurumagazine.org/science/festive/santas-scientificially-accurate-sleigh/

Thanks to those of you who have had me invading your classrooms, taking your afternoons and revving up the students -all in the name of science! It's been a privilege working with you all and seeing the excitement and enthusiasm for teaching science. This year has been my most travelled with lots of time in beautiful Opotiki as well as in the hinterlands of Wairoa, which are just magnificent. Wherever I've headed, I've been made to feel very welcome, worked with amazing children who have become even more keen for science, been hassled (lots!) and asked the hard questions which I sometimes have no idea what the answer is!

It's been a very different year for PLD and I think the changes have been a positive move and it has been encouraging to see schools running with the new format. Next year, I already have some schools and CoLs lined up for more science and I'm grateful for the votes of confidence! It's nice to have new schools and also lovely to continue working with schools that I've had some time with. I'd also be keen to revisit schools I've worked with in the past to see how things are going -it'd be nice to have some time to see what you're all doing in science.

So have a lovely break, a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy time away from the classroom and get energised for 2018!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2521973/The-science-Santa-Mr-Claus-eat-150-BILLION-calories-visit-5-556-houses-SECOND-Christmas-Eve.html

Oh, and there's lots of science with Santa's visits... and some quite technical ones too! I think this one has to be my favourite, even explaining Rudolph's shiny red nose! It's http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/3720721/The_Science_of_Santa.html. Who said it was all magic?!?

Merry Christmas
Paul