Te Ropu Awhina | Victoria University of Wellington

(photos of Āwhina mentors Tapu, Jose and Ramona with the Yr 9 Āwhina WGHS whānau students and teacher Penny Greenwood)

2011 is a year of many firsts. It’s the year that the Āwhina whānau was established at Wellington Girls High School (WGH) and it’s the first year that it snowed in Wellington in a very long time. The most recent snow storm provided a great opportunity for Āwhina whānau to take their learning outside. This sparked a discussion about why it rarely snows in Wellington, snow and snowfalls. It was awesome for the girls to see that science is actually everywhere!

The year 9 Āwhina students are researching the tensile strength of harakeke muka (flax fibres). Their process begins firstly by stripping the muka from the vascular bundle of the harakeke plant through the haro method, a method used by our tipuna. The students are now working out how much force is required to break the harakeke muka. The mentors really enjoy working with the students at WGH on their science projects.

School Outreach

Āwhina Whānau at Hutt Valley High School

Āwhina Whānau at Taita College

Parents and students attended the Āwhina Whānau launch at Taita College on Thursday 7th April.

The aim of Āwhina Whānau at Taita College is to build and develop an environment within which Māori and Pacific students develop high
expectations, aspirations and achievements in science, technology and mathematics. The whānau will help to normalise reciprocity and
academic success and create an inclusive environment for the study of these subjects.

HVHS Launches the Year 9 Awhina Science programme

The Science Department was delighted to welcome Awhina mentors and families to HVHS on Monday night to mark the official launch of our
Year 9 Awhina Science programme. The evening began with a pizza dinner and then we were introduced to members of the Awhina team.
Mr Stephen Williams introduced the HVHS Science staff and then Liz Richardson, the programme leader from Victoria University. Four Victoria
Science mentors then entertained us with marvellous accounts of their research and most importantly their love of Science. The other cruical
component of the HVHS Awhina Science programme are our delightful Year 9 students and their families.

Community Outreach

2012 “Cybrospace Summer” Wānanga

Te Rōpū Āwhina hosted the fun, exciting and challenging 2012 “Cybrospace Summer” Wānanga from 17th to 20th January.
Nearly 40 (year 12 & 13) rangatahi from Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou and from Āwhina local community clusters participated in laboratory
and outdoor field-based activities in Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Technology, Engineering, Architecture and Design and experienced
student life at Weir House where they were based.

'Rangatahi in Cybrospace' Day

In July 2011, Te Puni Kōkiri sponsored an all day Te Rōpū Āwhina hands-on ‘Cybrospace’ event at Victoria University of Wellington.
Approximately 750 rangatahi (years 7-13) and whānau from 32 North Island secondary and intermediate schools attended the event. Participants
had the opportunity to do a range of exciting and challenging activities in Architecture, Biological Sciences, Marine Sciences, Chemistry, Computer
Science, Design, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Physics and Psychology at the Kelburn and Te Aro campuses and the Victoria University Coastal
Ecology Lab (VUCEL) in Island Bay. Plenty of fun and learning!

Cybrospace Journeys to Success Event

In August 2010, manawhenua Ngati Toa and Te Puni Kōkiri sponsored an all day Āwhina hands on ‘Cybrospace’ event at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua that attracted almost 1100 (mainly Māori and Pacific) secondary school pupils participants. One highlight was the range of activities provided by mentors, community groups, staff from the faculties, The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution, VUCEL, CMEER and the University of Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Another highlight was “The Chemistry of harakeke” activity provided by Āwhina-mentored Hutt Valley High School pupils. Outreach activities are central to the academic successes of Māori and Pacific pupils and critical to ensuring their progression to tertiary study in these disciplines in a managed enrolment environment.

Architecture and Design: the power of technology and back to basics
Pupils used Photoshop to manipulate their facial images, thought outside the box with a variety of lateral thinking puzzles, Google Sketchup to build their own digital models, and faced off against each other to see who could design the tallest freestanding structure using toothpicks and polystyrene balls.

Biological Sciences: looking beneath the surface
The biology-inclined members of the whānau spread out over a few stalls with a wide range of activities to get students involved.First off there were strawberries. Not for eating though; use of a few different chemicals led to the extraction of long, stringy DNA.

Students also compared healthy lung cells and asthmatic lung cells under a microscope, saw the tiny little bug that causes the allergic reaction of asthma, tested the strength of their lungs by beathing into a peak flow meter and compared their results with others of the same height and age.

Bio-engineering: was that you?
Students used thermal imaging cameras to view their body heat, and the heat signatures left behind when they touched the desks or put their arms inside a plastic bag.

Chemistry
A visit to this stand entailed a short journey through the chemistry of polymers which are compounds that help make up many everyday things such as tyres, plastics and paints. Students had the opportunity to make flubber – stretchy, bouncy material, and watch alginate worms forming before their eyes.

Engineering
To promote Engineering, lecturers and students delved into the wonderful world of programming. We ran a program called Scratch on some PCs so that the pupils could create a program first hand. Scratch can create animations with music and characters and we handed out free CDs of the program so they could try it at home. Despite all the noise we also showed videos of our Robots at Vic, because nothing is cooler than robots!

Geology, Environmental and Earth Sciences: what a wonderful world!
Pupils went on a 4 stop tour.
First stop:
They checked out igneous, volcanic and plutonic rocks and how they are formed
Second stop:
A chance to look at a collection of ancient fossils ranging from a chunk of dinosaur bone to a Nautilus shell and microscopic forams
(single-celled organisms that typically live in the ocean and produce a mineralized test (aka a shell))
Third stop:
They used a petrographic microscope to look at thin section metamorphic rocks to see how they interact with light
Fourth stop:
Time to try on clothing and check out equipment used in Antarctica!

HVHS Harakeke(flax): Colour my world
Pupils learnt about the science of traditional dyeing using native plants. Different plants were used to produce different colours e.g. hinau tannins turn black with iron, tanekaha and wood ash are reddish brown and raurekau is used to make golden yellow.

Pacific Smoking Cessation programme (Porirua): it’s true – smoking is bad for you!

Marine Biology
Crayfish, paua, kina, starfish and a baby stingray were all happy to be swimming in the tanks and showing off. Students learnt about the importance of conserving of some of these marine critters that meet our kai moana and ecological needs.

Physics
Students who visited the Physics stall had a chance to witness optical illusions - see things that aren't there and not see things that are!
Floating ping pong balls were used to explain the concepts behind how an aeroplane flies. A supermagnet was used to show how difficult electricity is to generate. Finally, we used a spinning bicycle to explain why the earth has seasons!

Psychology
A model of the brain that could be taken apart, was used to 'see' different regions of our brain and find out what happens in that area. To demonstrate how your brain is not able to let you see both perspectives at the same time - you have to switch between them, A slide show of trick pictures that can look like an old lady or a young woman depending on how you look at it.

The ‘Stroop Task’ was to name the colour each word is written in although some words spelt a colour but were written in a different one, e.g., RED written in blue, demonstrated why you have to focus on different areas separately to see them both because the brain cannot do that itself. Not as easy as it sounds!

Masi/Tapa painting: both art and science
At this stall kids learnt how to design paint using traditional methods used by indigenous people of Pacific and Australia.

Natural coloured minerals found in soil, spices etc, are mixed with coconut oil to form a paste. The paste is then used as paint which can
be applied to any surface. Pupils used traditonal masi/tapa cloth (the bark stripped from Paper mulberry trees trees) as their canvas. Traditional painting is not practised
much these days but the exercise was to show pupils that science and art are closely connected.

Tuatara Ecology –Allan Wilson Centre
A robotic tuatara! Radio tracking! Blood cells! These were some of the stuff that participants learnt about.

“Māori Whānau in Science Day”, Mon 22 September, Banquet Hall, Parliament

A day spent exploring real-life, hands-on science with rangatahi Māori and their whānau is rare so Āwhina whānau was proud to host this event along with Te Puni Kōkiri, Learning Media and Ministry of Education staff. Over 250 rangatahi Māori and whānau attended along with winners of this year’s “Ngati Porou Science Challenge” and Members of Parliament. With physics, chemistry, architecture, design, biology, geology, psychology, maths, computer science, engineering and mechatronics activities and “What Now” presenters Serena and Tumehe and Āwhina mentors adding to the mix there was something for everyone and highlights galore.

The event was covered by TV1’s “Te Karere” and Māori TV’s “Te Kaea” programmes and will feature in “Kōkiri”. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with 76% of the seventy rangatahi Māori who completed evaluation forms saying the event had positively changed their view of science, and 72% saying they were more likely to choose science as an option at school and/or university. Here’s a selection of images for those who either missed out or want to relive the experience:

What do you get when you put Āwhina whānau and Atamira (Māori in the City) together?

Well, only those thousands of people who went to the ASB showgrounds (Auckland) from the 3rd- 5th July 2009 can tell you their tale of participating in hands-on science, engineering, architecture and design activities put together by Āwhina whānau
mentors and science, engineering, architecture and design staff.

ATAMIRA - Māori in the City, a biennial expo celebrating Māori creativity and enterprise, drew crowds from throughout Aotearoa, where they were surprised by the presence of hands-on science activities suitable for all ages- from the barely walking younger generation to the walking stick-dependent, much respected elderly.

The idea was to tell everyone that science is cool and not as difficult as it is perceived.

The School of Biological Sciences Āwhina whānau combined DNA extraction from strawberries and Asthma testing activities, where people of all ages took part and made comments like “ooh yuck, DNA is like snot” and “it’s so good to finally see what this complex word ‘DNA’ looks like”.
The School of Chemical and Physical Sciences Āwhina whānau team organised the ever so popular ‘Flubber’ making activity, which was constantly dominated by the younger generation. However, there were times when the oldies got into it as well.

The school also teamed up with the MacDiarmid Institute to present activities that involved two-way mirrors, non-Newtonian fluids and the properties of light. The kids slapped trays filled with corn starch and walked around with the 3D glasses looking amused when they looked at the lights in the hall.

The School of Psychology Āwhina whānau had people fascinated by the display of sectioned sheep brain and a plastic model of the human brain. But that was not all; they even went forward and did their psychological tests on the very willing crowd.

The School of Computer Science and Engineering Āwhina whānau had computer programming as their activity where the kids got to create a virtual world and brush up on some basic computer skills.

The School of Architecture and Design Āwhina whānau had a series of building puzzle models and design activities that captivated the minds of young and old.

The pictures highlight only some of the moments from the 3 day event, but the
experience for some was definitely life changing. When the team was packing up
to depart from the hall and head back to Welly, parents came and thanked the
whānau members at the event and passed comments like: “we are so happy
that our kids got to experience these options that are available to them” and
“I had it all sorted, my kids were going to do midwifery, but now all they want to
be is scientists like you guys”.

We talked to a lot of people about Āwhina and what we are doing and handed out 800 of our
Cybrospace Journeys to Success booklets. Many people were very interested and even took
time out to read this during the event.

Unfortunately all the fun had to end and we needed to head home. But watch out for the
next time when Āwhina whānau is in town with hands-on science.

The latest Āwhina Outreach event saw 5 Āwhina mentors travel to Masterton to Copthorne Hotel & Resort in Solway
Park on the 5th and 6th of May for the 'Be Inspired Conference' - an event organised and run by the Wairarapa REAP
program in association with the Masterton Lands Trust. The kaupapa of the conference was to inspire intermediate
aged students to pursue studies in areas they're interested in and to one day turn it into a career.

The 'Be Inspired Conference' consisted of a series of elective events that students were allowed to choose from,
such as, ropes courses, programmable robots, fencing, and creative writing and of course the “Hands on Science”
activities run by the Āwhina mentors.

As orchestrators of the “Hands on Science” elective, the Āwhina mentors used this opportunity to show
that science isn’t hard and can be really fun! Three sciences were exhibited: Chemistry, Biology and Physics, with
the students being shared evenly between all of them so that everyone got a chance to try a bit of everything.
The overall aim was to pass on some of our passion and inquisitiveness to the students.

The chemistry section was run by Catherine and Ramona who used flubber, milk and subhydrated cornstarch with
water (Oobleck) to show that science is fun, bouncy, colourful and all around us!

Biology was run by Shalen and Kelly. Students carried out DNA extraction from strawberries and learnt
about taxonomy and characterising of organisms under a dissecting microscope to enthuse the more artistically
inclined to see their talents in a new, scientific light.

Elf ran the physics section and discussed different wave phenomena that we commonly observe in day to day life,
some basic properties of waves and how we can use them.

The response to the outreach team and our activities was overwhelming, with the team managing to enthuse and
excite the students over the two day period. Āwhina whānau would like to thank the Wairarapa REAP, Copthorne
Hotel and Resort for the use of their facilities and the friendly staff, the ‘Be Inspired Conference Team’ for inviting us
to be participants in such a great event, and finally all the students involved.

Te Tai Timu Trust: Turning the Tide
Motivating rangatahi to become rangatira for the future

The 8th -10th of January saw Āwhina whānau returning to Hawke’s Bay for the second year to participate in Te Tai
Timu Trust: Turning the Tide - Motivating rangatahi to become rangatira for the future. This year, 50 tamariki (children)
and rangatahi (young adults) aged from 7 to 16, travelled from all over the country to participate in a 5 day wānanga,
learning about water safety and becoming kaitiaki of the ocean and all that lives within it. The event was based at
Te Aute College which provided fantastic facilities along with the amazing weather of the Central Hawke’s Bay region.

The 8 Āwhina mentors, under the watchful eye of Dr. Adele, prepared science based activities in the areas of chemistry,
biology, physics and geology to show the tamariki and rangatahi that science is fun and achievable at all levels. The
activities allowed the groups to study polymers through the medium of flubber and corn starch with Catherine and
Janice, explore insect biology and extract DNA from strawberries with Shalen and Danelle, discover the physics of light,
colours and the eye with the Elf, investigate the world of geology using fossils with Connie and Ramona, and learn
valuable lessons through team building activities with Darryl.

It was inspirational for the mentors to see everyone engaging in the activities. The knowledge learnt during the day was
shown by the student’s enthusiasm to participate in our quiz and the amazing answers given to questions based on
the science activities. Other highlights for the mentors were organising a relay for the tamariki, participating in the adults
versus rangatahi swimming relay race, feasting on kina, crayfish, creamed pāua and eel during the kaihākari, getting to
know the amazing kids and watching their hilarious skits.

It was very humbling for the whānau to be recognized at the prize giving ceremony with each mentor being gifted a
Te Tai Timu Trust t-shirt and cap, presented to the mentors by Pehi Potaka. It was great to have the newest
addition and youngest member of Āwhina whānau, Max (Adele’s son), participate in his first outreach programme.

The mentors did not go without their own embarrassing moments, having to perform a skit to the theme song of Prince
of Bell Air led by the Āwhina whānau’s very own rapper, Darryl “DJ” accompanied by Elf on the guitar. The mentors were
also sprung with an impromptu karaoke performance to Atomic Kitten’s “Whole Again.”

The Āwhina mentors would like to thank Adele and Shalen (School of Biological Sciences), Zack Makoare and Rob Hewitt
(Program co-ordinators) and Te Tai Timu Trust for organising the trip, along with the parents and adults who helped make
the wānanga such a success. This wānanga was also supported by a large number of groups including NZ Police, Ministry of
Fisheries, Department of Conservation, Water Safety New Zealand, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and the Faculty of
Science, Victoria University of Wellington.

Kaitiakitanga o ngā rawa a Tangaroa: Guardianship of the resources of the sea

The recent Aramoana/Pourerere Health and Education Programme 2009 gave Dr Adele Whyte and seven Āwhina mentors the opportunity to travel to Pourerere Beach in central Hawkes Bay. Approximately 70 tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young adults), aged from 6-16 from around the country, participated in a fun filled week that focused on learning about sustainable management and becoming kaitiaki (guardians) of our marine and freshwater environments. The programme also aimed at motivating rangatahi to become rangatira (leaders) for the future and taught a broad range of life skills including responsibility, respect and leadership.

Shalen, Jonnel, Ramona, Catherine, Darryl, Janice and Kelly, along with Adele organised several activities that illustrated this theme including water conservation, erosion and an estuary survey. These activities not only taught the rōpu (group) about the environment but also sparked their interest in science! Highlights included discussing the diversity of the oceans with Catherine, finding baby estuarine snails with Adele, learning from Darryl that soap can affect the sex of fish and making miniature beach models with Ramona.

The Āwhina mentors also had many other opportunities while they were there, including attending a traditional blessing at sunrise, eating crayfish and paua fritters, snorkelling at Te Angiangi marine reserve and sleeping out under the stars. All in all it was a fun trip, and we hope to return next year!

We also got the impression that the tamariki, rangatahi and everyone else enjoyed having us there too. We received many positive comments and had an enthusiastic response to our quiz based on the days activities. We were also treated to an impromptu farewell haka followed by hongi (pressing noses) from the rangatahi and tamariki. This physical demonstration of their love and respect for us was a huge honour which moved some of us to tears.

This event was organised by Te Tai Timu Trust, with support from a large number of groups including: the NZ Police, Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Conservation, Water Safety New Zealand, Central Hawkes Bay District Council and the Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington. The Āwhina mentors would like to thank Adele (School of Biological Sciences) and Zack Makoare (Program co-ordinator) for organising the trip, all the parents who helped bring our message to the tamariki and rangatahi, and everyone involved for giving us such a fun and memorable experience.

Please contact us if you want to attend future programmes or if you would like to discuss hosting a similar event in your area.

Science Wānanga creates future Māori scientists

Can a science wānanga help to increase the number of Māori scientists, architects and engineers? Comments from the inaugural Te Wānanga Pūtaiao at Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier suggest that taking science from the laboratory to the marae can inspire new generations of Māori scientists.

“I never used to like science but now I do” - Primary-School aged participant.

“I thought science was boring, but this wānanga has made me think its FUN”.
- High-School aged participant.

Pukemokimoki Marae and Victoria University’s Science Faculty joined together to host Te Wānanga Pūtaiao. This successful event is an extension of the Science Faculty’s Āwhina outreach programme. The central focus of Āwhina is Māori and Pacific development, which was also the central theme of Te Wānanga Pūtaiao. The aim of this particular wānanga was to encourage participation and achievement in science among Māori rangatahi and tamariki. Excitement for science was generated by concentrating on themes that were relevant to Māori communities including sessions on DNA/Whakapapa and the Marine Environment.

Āwhina alumni Dr. Adele Whyte (Ngāti Kahungunu) led this project with the help of several past and present Āwhina mentors; Wesley (Samoan), Cassidy (Ngāti Porou), Shiro Nippert (Tuhoe) and Matt (Samoan). Āwhina mentors formed a vital part of the team, contributing to the DNA extractions and the smooth-running of the whole programme. Liz (Science, Engineering and Architecture & Design,) and Te Taite (Te Pou Ārahi Māori, Ngāti Kahungunu) also supported this project.

Dr Howard Lukefahr (Physics) and Ocean Mercier (Te Kawa a Maui, Ngāti Porou) ran interactive physics demonstrations which included liquid nitrogen, superconductors, light waves and sound waves. Pupils explored how the human eye works by investigating optical illusions and computer imaging technology.

Dr Hilary Miller (Allan Wilson Centre - AWC), Kristina Ramstad (AWC), and Adele Whyte (Centre for Marine Environmental & Economic Research – CMEER)designed and taught the genetics portion of the wānanga. This allowed everyone to see and extract DNA from everyday food items, including strawberries, using household chemicals.

Another successful DNA extraction! Āwhina mentor Cassidy and tamaiti extracting DNA.

Drs James Bell (CMEER), Jonathan Gardner (CMEER) and Adele Whyte (CMEER) gave presentations and led discussions about protecting and enhancing the marine environment.

Support from whānau is vital to encourage more Māori youth to aim for careers in science and technology. For this reason, the wananga set out to attract all age groups. Participants' ages ranged from 5 to 75 years old and everyone enjoyed the wide range of activities, including what could have been the world’s first DNA extraction on a marae!

The Wānanga was also an education for the scientists as Kaumatua and Kuia also contributed their knowledge. In many instances, the observations of our tūpuna highlighted parallels between Māori oral tradition and science. This reinforces the idea that Māori have been scientists for many years. If tamariki can continue on this rich tradition of seeking knowledge, incorporating the knowledge of ancestors with technical advances, then the scientific future of Aotearoa is in good hands.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the financial support of Te Puni Kōkiri. Te Puni Kōkiri staff members Patsie, Dale and Juscinta also supported this event by attending the wānanga. Special thanks to Joinella Maihi-Carroll who was the liaison person at Pukemokimoki for this event.

Following Their Dreams

Te Rōpū Āwhina Pūtaiao mentors have played a critical role since 2000 in increasing the numbers of Māori and Pacific pupils from local, low decile secondary schools undertaking science and technology degrees. Cassidy and Tammy were keen to speak about their experiences at Victoria University when their mentors Pia (MSc, Computer Science, FRST Tūapapa Pūtaiao Māori Fellow) and Marina (PhD, Biological Sciences) caught up with them recently.

Cassidy:
The Āwhina Outreach programme helped me a lot in making my decision to undertake a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. If it wasn't for the experiments and the mentors, then I might have decided to study only commerce or possibly not attend university at all. I would recommend this programme to other students on the basis that it gave me an insight into the science world, helped me choose my desired speciality, and allowed me to meet many Māori and Pacific students that were succeeding in science and technology at university.

Tammy:
I am a first year student at Victoria University. I was involved in the Āwhina Outreach programme in 2003 and 2004 which was offered to me as a 6th and 7th former at Wainuiomata High.

What I really enjoyed about this programme is that the students/mentors actually had a genuine interest in our studies and wanted to help us do well at school. It was also a lot of fun coming into the uni and having hands on experience in a lab. It wasn't until I came to uni as an enrolled student that I really appreciated the time they gave to us. Just being a little more familiar with the place than everyone else and knowing senior students to turn to for help was a great start.

I have met my Āwhina mentor and look forward to working together. I'm studying to become a nutritionist. My long term goal is to be a dietician.

Mentoring Youth in the Name of Science

How would you describe a scientist...a dorky balding man with horn-rimmed glasses held together by tape, and the token pocket calculator? You might be surprised to find out that scientists are just like you and me. They like to go out on weekends, play sport, drink beer, and...oh yeah...occasionally make ground-breaking discoveries.

These scientific stereotypes are exactly what the Āwhina Outreach strives to change in the eyes of students of Māori and Pacific descent at local low decile secondary schools. Āwhina Outreach is designed to capture the scientific interest of our youth by making experiences and university minds from a broad range of science backgrounds available to them. As part of this programme, Vic science students and supporting staff members mentor students at low decile schools. The launch of Āwhina Outreach at Wainuiomata High School marked the extension of the past two year's work in Porirua. It was the first chance for staff and postgraduate mentors to meet their year 12 mentees and parents.

Professor Paul Callaghan from the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, stressed the importance of Māori and Pacific pupils seeing tertiary study in science as a viable option. Āwhina Kaumatua and CEO of the Māor Education Trust, Doug Hauraki, emphasised the importance of breaking the cycle of Māori and Pacific underachievement in secondary education. Pupils and their mentors discussed what they hoped to see the programme achieve.

The evening was a great success with everyone involved being keen to get started. Mentor, Marina, commented: "I want people to be as passionate about science as I am. I have always found science to be exciting and I want to share that with others." "These are smart kids," says mentor Kevin. "They want to learn and I want to help - that's a good combination." Pupils and parents are also enthusiastic. Wainuiomata pupil, Nick, summed it up when he said Āwhina Outreach is "a great opportunity". Although pupils and mentors have only known each other for a short time, they have already made the first steps toward forming good working relationships.

The opportunities in science and technology are many and varied, paving the way to a brighter future for everyone. It is really important to get everybody involved, especially our youth who are the future of New Zealand. The expertise within Āwhina Outreach participants, support from mentors and parents combined with the opportunities available in science is a recipe for success. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out! (Contributed by Āwhina Mentors).

Centre of Research Excellence supports Āwhina Outreach

Porirua College staff, pupils and their whānau, mentors and Victoria staff gathered at the school to launch the Āwhina Outreach mentoring for 2003.

Teachers, pupils and parents relayed their positive experiences of last year's mentoring and stressed their overwhelming support for the continuation of this hugely successful initiative made possible by the financial support of the MacDiarmid Institute.

Speaking on behalf of the Faculties of Science and Architecture and Design, Paul Callaghan (Alan MacDiarmid Professor of Physics) told the gathering. "This venture is brilliant. The use of mentors who can act as role models is the most effective way of transforming educational opportunities for young people. Our Māori and Pacific students are a living example of educational success. By giving their time in this way, they help others follow the pathway they have found. The MacDiarmid Institute is delighted to support the Āwhina programme because we want to help build pathways to science for all New Zealanders."

Vic Science Experience

HVHS Āwhina ‘Hands on’ Science Experience

Students, whānau and teachers from Hutt Valley High School (HVHS) enjoyed a ‘Hands on Science’ evening hosted by Āwhina mentors in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). The event was organised and co-ordinated by Dr Adele Whyte.

DNA and its uses were explained first in the SBS tearoom and then later participants had the opportunity to extract DNA from everyday foods in a laboratory. In addition to the range of activities on offer, a tour to one of the high tech research labs (Chemical Genetics Laboratory) was a highlight of the evening.

“The DNA testing was really cool! I liked seeing the fancy university equipment. It was a great opportunity to see what I might have to do if I do science at university.” Christina

Special thanks to technicians Angela Fleming and Lesley Millicich who helped with the lab set up. Thanks also to Āwhina mentors Cassidy, David, Jonnel, Kirsty, Marie, Miles, Nathaniel and Shalen and to Te Taite Cooper and Liz Richardson.

On Monday 23rd March, 15 mentors contributed to a noho marae organised by Te Herenga Waka Marae staff for Te Kura Kaupapa o Koutou (Rotorua). The sudden cold snap did nothing to wipe the enthusiastic smiles from the faces of the 58 tauira and their kaiako as they rotated around four activities hosted by the Āwhina whānau for the Monday evening programme.

Whether it was extracting DNA from native plants using common household products in biology, making bouncy “flubber” of many colours and shapes in chemistry, getting the technical “hands on” experience with world building programming in computer science, or seeing the world in a different light in physics, everyone found an aspect of science that appealed to the explorer within.

It was a fantastic night summed up by Mary Jane from Te Herenga Waka Marae staff:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you all for everything. The feedback from the tamariki was wonderful and the acknowledgement given by the kaiako said it all. Te Rōpū Āwhina and all the mentors and pūkenga, your contribution was absolutely priceless. We look forward to working with you all on other ventures and initiatives."

Special thanks go to Mary Jane, Grandma, Susanne Boniface, Howard Lukefahr, Ian Welch, Adele Whyte and the Āwhina mentors who helped out on the night.

The Āwhina team

The beauty of physics! Things that seemed beyond the mind are so clear to me now.

The perks of being a chemistry student- Making your own glow sticks!

A date with the mighty Tuatara! Still surviving, from the time of the great dinosaurs into the new millennia, and how you can help with the conservation of the species.

What do you know about psychology?

Are computers your kinda thing?

Adventure with geology anyone?

The 2007 Vic Science Experience days (3rd July-5th July) were a fun filled affair for 95 Year 11 students from all over the Wellington region. And yet again various Awhina mentors participated in all the activities arranged by separate schools. There were also some very interesting and entertaining guest speakers i.e Norman from the Weta workshop demonstrated the tricks of special effects from the set of Lord of the Rings, and Tyrone (Director of Sidhe) showed some of the latest PS2 and X BOX games currently being developed by their company.

A fun filled special talk by the school of Biological Sciences lecturer Dr Diane Ormsby really got the students motivated and excited about sciences.

Unfortunately like all good things the event had to come to an end, but not without the Awhina mentors organising a quiz competition which included all the topics that the students covered over their whole experience at Vic Uni.

Overall it was very well appreciated by all the inquisitive young minds and all the mentors came out with an experience of a lifetime.

Six Awhina mentors were team leaders to 90 Year 11 pupils - from schools within Wellington - for three days at the Kelburn Campus during the secondary school holidays in July. The pupils got to do interactive activities in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, and Computer Science. Click on the pictures to see larger versions of the image.

Āwhina Outreach

What's New

Wellington Girls High School Āwhina Outreach

School Outreach

Āwhina Whānau at Hutt Valley High School

Āwhina Whānau at Taita College

HVHS Launches the Year 9 Awhina Science programme

Community Outreach

2012 “Cybrospace Summer” Wānanga

'Rangatahi in Cybrospace' Day

Cybrospace Journeys to Success Event

“Māori Whānau in Science Day”, Mon 22 September, Banquet Hall, Parliament

What do you get when you put Āwhina whānau and Atamira (Māori in the City) together?

Science Wānanga creates future Māori scientists

Following Their Dreams

Mentoring Youth in the Name of Science

Centre of Research Excellence supports Āwhina Outreach

Vic Science Experience