Students from Waikato’s low decile schools were introduced to the wonder of science and science learning, thanks to funding from One Foundation.
About Science Spinners
An outreach programme of the Kudos Science Trust, Science Spinners’ aim is to pique the interest of Year 9 and 10 students from low decile schools in the Waikato in studying and choosing careers in science and technology. Their Creative Lab events see students take part in a range of fun and interactive events that ‘Demystify the Sci’ and make science relevant to everyday life.
What the grant went towards
The One Foundation grant enabled Science Spinners to hire the Hamilton Gardens Pavillion, in which they held a Creative Lab for Year 9 and 10 students in 2017. At the event, students engaged in a range of hands-on science activities, guided by world-class Waikato scientists.
What this meant for the organisation
The 2017 event focused on sports science, endocrinology, environmental science and food technology, and included a presentation by Dr Jade Tamatea, an award-winning scientist who attended Hamilton Girls High School and grew up in Otorohanga. Through the hands-on actvities and the interaction with the scientists, the students were introduced to the world of possibilities in choosing science-based careers, and were guided on the relevant NCEA subject choices.
