Student Researchers Realise their Dreams

Student Researchers Realise their Dreams

Research projects have netted talented school students from around New Zealand more than $40,000 worth of prizes as well as trips to science fairs and competitions around the world. Twenty one awards were handed out at the Genesis Energy Realise the Dream prize giving at Te Marae, Te Papa on Monday night. The winning projects included a study of the effects of salmonella vaccination on sheep behaviour, a puzzle to help teach students maths, the design of a stretchy tent bag, and a wood powered engine.

The prize giving followed on from the Royal Society’s Realise the Dream week, which saw 29 students from throughout New Zealand come together to celebrate their outstanding achievements in research and technological practice. During the five-day event in Wellington, 7-12 December, students were involved in a range of science activities that allowed them to get a taste of what ‘real’ science is like. They visited many scientific organisations in Wellington, such as GNS science, the Island Bay Marine Education Centre, DOC, and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Their activities included a team exercise to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly school, and learning about forensic science.

At the prize giving, Cambridge High School student, Jake Martin (17), won 3 prizes for his wood powered engine: the Supreme Award for Research Excellence and Public Communication, sponsored by Genesis Energy; the Best research Year 12/13 Award, sponsored by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO; and a Travel Award to the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition, sponsored by Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Georgia Halcrow’s puzzle for teaching maths and allowing students to check their own work won her the Communication and inspiring other Young New Zealanders Award, sponsored by New Zealand South Pacific Kiwanis, and the Future Business Award, sponsored by Industrial Research Ltd, each worth $2,000.

Burnside High School student, Victor Kang (17), also won a Travel Award to the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition as well as the Researcher Design Award, sponsored by AgResearch, for his study of the mating preferences of endangered weta.

Chief Executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Dr Di McCarthy, said “The Royal Society believes that it is very important to be involved in science education. Realise the Dream is a fantastic way to celebrate and support excellent science and technology students; to develop future science and technology leaders; and to raise the profile of science and technology learning in schools. To all the participants, thank you for letting us be a part of your hard work, as it helps us to achieve our goals too.”

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