Swapping school holidays to learn in Victoria’s labs
Twenty high school science students spent a week in Victoria’s labs learning about nanotechnology and studying science at university.
Happy campers at summer science camp.
The annual camp, sponsored by the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology and held for the sixth year, introduces year 12 and 13 pupils to physics and chemistry with a hands-on programme.
“The pupils get to carry out experiments in the labs and learn from a number of Victoria University lecturers,” says Dr Franck Natali. “Our aim is to show how great science is, the many things they can learn and encourage them to pursue science after high school.”
The camp, held from 18-22 January, included courses in spintronics, microscopy, nanoelectronics, chemistry, superconductors, and optics at Victoria University of Wellington, Callaghan Innovation, and GNS Science.
The programme also included a walking tour of Wellington, a visit to Carter Observatory and the tour Zealandia by Night.
The participants said they learnt a lot about the opportunities open to them at university, and particularly enjoyed the chemistry session where they made glowsticks and the superconductivity session that included levitating superconductors.
Ngā Tapuwae pupil Taiawa Kotlowski, said that the camp is a great opportunity to learn.
“My science teacher secretly applied for me. I think it’s a good starting point if you’re looking to go into these areas after high school.”
Yu Ting Nui from Auckland International College enjoyed the practical aspect of the programme.
“We don’t study nanotechnology at high school, so it’s nice to discover something different,” she says. “All the teachers are really nice and helpful.”
Māori and Pasifika students discovering passion for science
From 18-22 January five secondary school pupils with an interest in science participated in the Discovery Awards, sponsored by the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.
The week-long programme gives the pupils a residential laboratory experience at either Victoria University or the University of Auckland, and aims to encourage the pupils to continue on to university study.
“The pupils get a real opportunity to learn hands-on science and are mentored by our scientists,” says Dr Nicola Gaston from the MacDiarmid Institute. “This year’s programme at Victoria University included sessions on the fabrication of electronic microchips, how magnetic-resonance imaging works, and trips to GNS Science and the Robinson Research Institute.”
Alex Marshall, 16, from Invercargill’s Verdon College, says the programme was a great eye-opener.
“The teachers talk you through the theory first and then you get a go at doing it yourself, which is exciting. It has definitely helped set me up for science at my last year of college.”
Nia Dudson, 17, from Geraldine High School, says it’s the best science course she has attended.
“I’ve been on a number already and this course is the best because it was a really small group and you got lots more one-on-one time with the teachers. You can tell the people are passionate here—they really go out of their way to accommodate you and help you understand difficult concepts.
“I loved physics before the course, but now I love physics even more. I will definitely study science of some kind at university.”