Twenty-One of Our Students Triumph with Eight Impressive Awards, Taking Home Prizes Worth $1,350 by Showcasing a Variety of Science and Technology Projects.

The annual NIWA Science and Technology Fair took place on the 16th and 17th of September at Canterbury University. It provided a platform for young minds from Canterbury and Westland to showcase their creativity, innovation, and commitment to the fields of science and technology. This year, Burnside entered its largest team yet, consisting of 21 students participating in all the high school categories. Once again, our students showcased their excellence and secured numerous prestigious awards.

In the Junior Technology division, Corey Griffith continued his success from last year and demonstrated exceptional engineering process by securing the third place again with his electric vehicle project. The judges commented on how much improvement they had seen since last year's fair and his technical knowledge and dedication.

The team of Alex Cutforth, Ollie Bonnie, Andrew Wu, and Ezra Cheyne earned a well-deserved second place in the Senior Technology division. Their project featured a robot equipped with an automatic catapult system and pneumatic locking wings designed for the Vex Robotics competition, exemplifying their ingenuity and technical proficiency.

Ethan Davidson and Ashton Brevoort emerged as double winners, clinching third place in the Senior Technology category and the prestigious Callaghan Innovation prize for the most innovative exhibit with commercial potential. Their video game impressed judges with its beautiful design and procedurally generated level content.

Ron Livne claimed the top spot in the Senior Technology division and also secured the second place in the Callaghan Innovation Award. Ron's project introduced a website that simplifies connections in the music industry, allowing musicians to create listings based on their needs, be it an individual seeking to join a band, a band looking for new members, or venues searching for musical talent.

In the Senior Science division, Lil Ogano's dedication and talent earned her the third place and the title of "Best Exhibit Related to Psychological Science." Her meticulous research explored the intricate link between music preferences and personality traits, impressing both judges and peers.

We take immense pride in our students' achievements at the NIWA Science and Technology Fair. These awards not only honour their hard work but also celebrate their unwavering passion for science and technology. They stand as a testament to the nurturing environment and dedicated staff at our school, which empower our students to excel. Burnside remains a centre of excellence in the fields of Science and Technology, and we anticipate continued accomplishments in the future.