Vortex for science awards

Celebrating the launch of a call for nominations for the biennial Otago Daily Times Otago Science Awards at the Otago Museum Tornado yesterday are (from left), New Zealand International Science Festival director Dan Hendra, University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor Richard Blaikie and Otago Daily Times chief executive Grant McKenzie.

Part of the New Zealand International Science Festival, the awards aim to acknowledge the work of science in people's everyday lives and the difference those committed to the field make, from the region's scientists to teachers, students, community groups, volunteers and business people.

Awards include the University of Otago Lifetime Achievement, the Otago Polytechnic Sustainability, Otago Museum Science Communicator, Vodafone Business, Mitre10 MEGA Future Scientist, ADInstruments Emerging Scientist (tertiary level student) and Science in Action Science Teacher Award.

Nominations can be made at www.scifest.org.nz and close on June 28 at 5pm.

Winners will be announced at the launch of the New Zealand International Science Festival on July 6.