The 2016 Rotary National Science and Technology Forum took place in January, and Shelley Li was very fortunate to be one of 168 Year 12 students from the across the country to attend. Here is her account of the forum.

In August of last year, I went through an application process with the Rotary Club of Riccarton and was thrilled when I found out I would be involved with this programme. 

Arriving at Auckland Airport with butterflies in my stomach, I was whizzed off to University Hall at the University of Auckland. This hall would be a big part of the ‘uni life’ I was there to experience, and would be my home for the next two weeks. There, we got daily doses of science jokes, late night quizzes, and intense games of volleyball.

The purpose of this Forum was to expose us to the different tertiary study options in Science and Technology. Throughout the experience, we attended modules at the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and Massey University. Meeting some incredible lecturers and professors on the way, including Dr. Michelle Dickinson. The modules covered many areas of science, mathematics, and engineering.

Some highlights included:

• Learning about mental health and controversies surrounding psychological topics
  
• Setting fire to ethanol and blowing up other things in Chemistry
  
• Seeing Valerie Adams and Sonny Bill Williams train at AUT (and of course learning about sports science while we were there)
  
• Extracting Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Biological Sciences
  
• Learning about forensic science in New Zealand at the Institute Of Environmental Science And Research
  
• Seeing plasticised human brains in Biomedical Sciences
  
• Seeing algebra being used in real life for statistical analysis and food testing in Applied Mathematics
  

I was a bit skeptical about the two week programme that proudly advertised itself as ‘Nerd Camp’. However, returning home, I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to attend, and I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Riccarton and Riccarton High School. They were generous enough to cover all costs, and thus allowed me to take a once in a lifetime trip. It was incredible being surrounded by like minded people, and if you are approached with this opportunity in the future, I would highly recommend applying. It allowed me to explore potential study options in Science and Technology, and gave me some reassurance about the next fast approaching step (more accurately: leap) in life: University.