Hundreds of Waikato school students will display projects covering all areas of science and technology in Hamilton next week. The 29th annual Waikato Regional Science & Technology Fair, sponsored by the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), will be held at Hamilton Gardens Pavilion from 28 to 30 August.
“NIWA is proud to again sponsor this event as part of our long-term commitment to enhancing science and technology for young New Zealanders,” says NIWA’s Education Coordinator, Dr Julie Hall. “Participation in Science and Technology Fairs is on its own a powerful learning tool and should also be fun. The enthusiasm of the participants in researching, constructing, and presenting their exhibits is plain to see.”
About 300 exhibits are expected from Year 7 to Year 13 students, from about 40 schools throughout the Waikato region. On 28 August, a team of 30 judges will interview all the students and select the best projects in each of the age classes.
Over $6,000 worth of prizes are being donated by a range of businesses and science organisations, including WEL Energy Trust, Hill Laboratories, Dairy NZ, the University of Waikato, Livestock Improvement, and Solid Energy NZ Ltd. The main winner will receive $500 and be nominated for a place at Genesis Energy’s Realise the Dream. This is a week-long festival of events for young scientists, technologists and others, to be held in December in Wellington.
“NIWA hopes that many of the students exhibiting at this year’s Fair will take up careers in science, which are vital to sustaining New Zealand’s economy and environment,” says Dr Hall.
NIWA is also a major sponsor of the Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson Science & Technology Fairs, as well as the NIWA Discovery Room, an interactive marine discovery centre at Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World in Auckland.
Public viewing (free):
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion 9am – 10pm, Friday 29 August 9am – 2pm, Saturday 30 August
Prizegiving:
7pm, Friday 29 August, PricewaterhouseCoopers Lecture Theatre (Management Building), University of Waikato, Hillcrest Road, Hamilton.
Media please note:
To obtain advance notice of winners on the morning of Friday 29 August for the purpose of arranging interviews and photographs, please contact Roger Cox.