From plastic bags to roof tiles: one BOP science fair entry

A Mount Maunganui Intermediate student has created a cheap roofing tile out of discarded plastic bags and entered the idea in this year’s NIWA Bay of Plenty Science and Technology Fair.

His idea, which stemmed from a 2014 trip to Thailand when he saw discarded plastic bags littering the streets, is one of more than 100 entries for the fair which opens in Rotorua on Thursday. Among other exhibits from students in Years 7-13, is one project that investigates the psychology of decision making by comparing two consumer products and testing whether brand names influence quality and preference. Another project examines whether human medicinal products affect plant growth.

Organisers say the standard of entries this year continues to be extremely high.

“Science and technology fairs are all about getting students to think about the world around them and solve real-life problems. The students come up with new ideas and technologies that have real potential to become business enterprises. This is a great opportunity to view innovative and interesting ideas from our future scientists.”

A team of judges, including commercial industry scientists, research scientists and educators, will award thousands of dollars in prize money and trophies. Prizewinners will be recognised at an official ceremony in the Concert Chamber of the Rotorua Convention Centre on Friday at 1pm. The fair is open to the public on Thursday from 1pm onwards and on Friday until 2pm and is being held at the Rotorua Convention Centre.

NIWA wishes all students entering the fair the very best of luck. NIWA is also a major sponsor of the Auckland, Canterbury-Westland, Waikato, South and East Auckland and Wellington Science and Technology Fairs.

For more information see: www.bopscifair.org.nz