A total of 414 pupils from 170 secondary schools throughout the country are taking part in the "Hands-on at Otago" event in Dunedin this week.
The pupils form teams to tackle projects in the mornings and, in the afternoons, sample shorter "snack" sessions covering many fun topics.
Thirteen pupils this week learned to play gamelan percussion music. University enthnomusicologist Dr Joko Susilo showed the pupils how to play traditional Indonesian gamelan music, and theology and religion lecturer Dr Elizabeth Guthrie outlined the music’s religious background.
Blue Mountain College year 13 pupil Emma Bridson, of Tapanui, was finding the overall programme "very interesting". She said playing gamelan music was "very difficult" but stimulating and enjoyable.
"I don’t really want to go home," she joked.
Dr Guthrie, who has long played in a Dunedin gamelan orchestra, said she enjoyed the sessions.
