A group of secondary school pupils from around New Zealand spent yesterday in a University of Otago chemistry laboratory, squirting coloured water on to paper which had been covered with nanoparticles.
The science experiment was fun for the pupils because the paper would not absorb liquids, and the droplets of coloured water could be manipulated without drying.
It is one of many science projects being held this week as part of the University of Otago Advanced School Sciences Academy.
Academy director Steve Broni said 50 high-achieving year 13 science pupils from rural/provincial, small and lower-decile schools across New Zealand had travelled to Dunedin to take part in the annual programme.
Each pupil was nominated by their respective school because of their potential to excel in their final year of school.
This week was the first of two weeklong science camps to be held this year, at which they would attend seminars by Otago’s leading scientists, lab sessions and three-hour elective projects covering subjects not generally taught at school, as well as science communication workshops, Mr Broni said.
The next academy week would be held in July.
"Between the January and July camps, they will work in groups on a science communication project that will be presented to a public audience at the New Zealand Science Festival in July."
The academy coincided with a four-day professional development workshop for teachers from the same schools as the pupils, Mr Broni said.
It aimed to provide support and resources for the teaching of science at schools.
"Our goal is not to be a school on top of school, but to tap into their boundless enthusiasm for science learning and enhance their ability to excel in their final year of high school science, while also preparing them for that leap to tertiary education."
