Kia ora!

The NZ International Science Festival is thrilled to invite you to the Inspiring Scientist Zoom series, kicking off on the 9th of June. Each week, travel around the world virtually to hear from four exciting guests about how science makes their world go around!

WHO WILL BE THERE?

The Zoom sessions will be moderated by University of Otago Professor Christine Jasoni, an American-born New Zealand academic who has been the director of the University’s Brain Health Research Centre since 2016.

• 9th of June: Sian Cleaver - Women in STEM ambassador, currently working as a Space Industry Engineer at Airbus.
• 15th of June: Dr Karl – a well-known, quirky Australian science communicator, author, radio & TV personality.
• 23rd of June: Professor Neil Gemmell – a University of Otago professor well known for DNA testing the waters of Loch Ness in search of the infamous Nessie.
• 30th June: Pilar Seijo – a visual effects artist for films including Black Panther, Mission Impossible and Avengers!

HOW WILL IT HAPPEN?

Each week we will connect you with a different scientist via a zoom link. The zoom session will start at 12:15pm and will run for 45 minutes. Each scientist will speak for about 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. The zoom link is the same for all 4 presentations and will be emailed to you on Tuesday, 8th of June.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

To make sure you’re a part of the action, make sure to register your school by Monday 7th June using this link: https://forms.gle/ZWZfFnSf9JJEDoww7

CAN MY STUDENTS ASK THE GUESTS QUESTIONS?

This event is a unique opportunity to connect with real life scientists in an intimate and meaningful way. We would love for students to submit questions for the event prior to the zoom for the chance to have them answered.

• Submit questions for Sian and Dr Karl before 3pm, Friday the 28th of May
• Submit questions for Neil and Pilar before 3pm, Friday the 18th of June

Please submit a limit of 2 questions per guest per school using this link: https://forms.gle/PwYxh1ufYbnzBZPF6

If you’ve got any questions about the event, feel free to email us at: projects@scifest.org.nz

We hope you’re as excited for the Inspiring Scientist Zoom Series as we are!

Ngā mihi,

Hannah Williams & the team at the New Zealand International Science Festival