Science fires fun and imagination

The only sparks were those of enthusiasm for a young technology fan who spent yesterday learning how to assemble a computer.

The New Zealand International Science Festival’s NanoFest is keeping Dunedin pupils occupied over the school holidays with science-based activities until Sunday at the Meridian Mall.

Dunedin’s Gabriel Scott (12) said he came along to the festival because he enjoyed technology.

"I’m interested in this sort of stuff and I’d like to learn how to build one," Gabriel said.

He intended to build his own computer one day soon, and had a can-do attitude.

"All you need to do is get the parts, and you might have to do some research as well — where all the parts go together — but then you can just put it all together really "

His top advice when working with computers was to use a delicate hand, as the pieces were "very little and fidgety".

New Zealand International Science Festival director Jerome Cousins said it was the first time the organisation was running a purpose-built festival on the science festival off-year.

The event was going well, he said.

The "myriad of activities" ranged from the foam-block imagination playground, designed for young children, to the virtual reality centre, for those above age 7.

"It’s not a lecture, it’s not a science class — it’s really to engage in fun activities that are science-based."