This year has been a year of high achievement in the Sciences, with Logan Park students selected for coveted places in a variety of sectors.

1. Rotary Science and Technology Forum, January 2021

Cindy Chou, Paxton Hall, and Megan MacDiarmid have all earned places on the Rotary Science and Technology Forum, to be held in January 2021.

The aim of the forum is, “to grow more Science graduates for New Zealand” across all areas of scientific study. Over time, this vision has grown to include mathematics and technology studies. The Trust works closely with the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Massey University to provide the academic leadership, lectures and accommodation for this fully residential programme which is traditionally based at O’Rorke Hall, an Auckland University Hall of Residence.

High-achieving, end of Year 12 Science, Mathematics & Technology students at secondary schools across New Zealand are recommended to apply for the opportunity to attend the Forum by their Heads of Science. Their applications are submitted to a local Rotary Club who is assigned to be responsible for managing the applications. The most suitable students are identified and interviewed by Rotary after which a final selection is made at Rotary District Level. Successful students are then advised they have been awarded the opportunity to attend the Forum which offers a maximum of 168 places.

The students selected to attend the Forum meet in Auckland in January to attend this two week residential experience of a lifetime. They attend two three-hour lectures a day, which are hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Massey University. Here they are able to develop an insight into the broad range of science and technology courses available for study, the requirements for application and an insight into future career opportunities. In addition, they visit a number of science or technology organisations. Examples of previous visits were those to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Rex Bionics, Living Cell Technologies, TVNZ, Foodbowl, AUT Millennium High Performance Centre, Air New Zealand, Beca Limited, Landcare Research, Watercare and ESR.

2. NZ Chemistry Olympiad, NZ Biology Olympiad

This year several of our students have entered the Chemistry and Biology Olympiad competitions. They had to answer multiple choice questions that were pitched at secondary and tertiary education level. They have all done themselves proud and have performed at a very high level nationally.

Paxton Hall has scored in the top 10% in NZ for Chemistry, earning him a Gold award, with Benjamin Mead earning a Bronze award. In Biology, Paxton Hall and Alexander Sun each earned Bronze.

Because of their high performance in the first round, students are then invited to join a tutorial programme that will further extend their knowledge, and a lucky few will be invited to sit a further exam in March. This will determine entry into the Olympiad training camps, and the chance to represent New Zealand at the 53rd Olympiad, which is to be held in Osaka, Japan from 24 July to 2 August 2021. The International Chemistry Olympiad examinations are arduous and involve a 5 hour practical examination followed 2 days later by a 5-hour theoretical examination. These occupy only 2 days of the week the students spend at the Olympiad, the remainder of the time allowing the students to establish personal and friendly contacts with other like-minded secondary students from a diverse range of cultures. They also are able to get acquainted with various aspects of the life of the host people and country. Well done on your achievements so far, and good luck in the next stage to all our participants!

3.TE ARA WAI KI TE ORANGA 2020

Ta’u Judd has been selected for the University of Otago Marine Studies Centre’s Science Enrichment & Extension Programme for young Māori. This is a five-day programme for Year 9 Gifted and Talented Māori involves students from across the Dunedin area in a marine research project at the University of Otago’s NZ Marine Studies Centre. Students work in teams and are mentored to develop their science investigation and communication skills in a Māori world context. The primary focus will be on a team research project, mentored by postgraduate research students, that integrates a range of extension experiences in Marine Science, Health Science, and Sport and Exercise Science. To qualify for the program, participants must be identified by their whānau/peers/school/teachers/gifted and talented coordinator as exceptional. Ideally, they will be keen on science and also have some interest in a future career in health sciences and or sport and exercise science.