Waikato Science and Engineering Open Days a hit

Creating iPad applications, experimenting with liquid nitrogen and programming small robotic cars are not usual activities during the school holidays, but for almost 200 high school students and a number of adult learners, this was just the case.

These activities and many more were offered last week by the University of Waikato during Science Open Day and Engineering Open Day.

During the open days students moved between sessions learning about the subjects offered by the university’s Faculty of Science & Engineering.

The selection of workshops gave potential tertiary students a taste of the fun and varied subjects available to study during a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Technology) and a Bachelor of Engineering.

This was the sixth annual Engineering Open Day, yet was the first time Science Open Day has been held.

Science Open Day

Science Open Day, held on Thursday July 28, was attended by around 80 students and around 30 parents, and focused on biological sciences, earth and ocean sciences, chemistry and physics.

Students discovered the Dry Valleys of Antarctica and the anti-inflammatory and the antibacterial properties of honey; learnt about natural hazards; shattered flowers, rubber gloves and balloons using liquid nitrogen; and experimented with oscillating systems in the physics lab.

Engineering Open Day

Engineering Open Day, held on Friday July 29, was attended by 100 students and around 40 parents.

The day focused on the Bachelor of Engineering’s five specified programmes, including software engineering, electronic engineering, materials and process engineering, chemical and biological engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Workshops involved developing an iPad or iPhone game; programming robots using computers; and creating and racing small electric cars.

Students also learnt about the properties of plastic and created their own biological material to promote a biochemical reaction in the chemical and biological engineering lab.