Breadcrumbs

Waikato River focus for Science Summer School

10 January 2012

Investigating the past and present condition of the Waikato River was the task for 39 top Year 12 students last month at the University of Waikato.

The week-long action-packed Hill Laboratories Waikato Science Summer School ran on December 4-9, and gave the students a taste of what it can be like to study science and engineering at a tertiary level.

Travelling the River

The week kicked off with a visit to the The Mighty River Waikato exhibition at the Waikato Museum, followed by a road trip up the river with stops at Lake Taupo and Tokaanu Power Station, and an overnight stay at Turangi.

The following day the group travelled back down the river, with stops to explore and collect samples at the Craters of the Moon, Wairakei, Aratiatia Rapids, Waipapa Dam, the Karapiro Stream and the Hamilton Water Treatment Plant.

Students spent the remainder of the week in Waikato University’s science and engineering labs, analysing samples and conducting experiments to determine the environmental and physical changes to the river and the surrounding land as it flows between Taupo and Hamilton.

Presentations

Group presentations by the students brought the week to an end. Topics of focus included the natural, unmodified Waikato River; dam and power generation on the river; the influence of rural land use on the river; and the effects of urban development on the river.

“I was incredibly impressed with the quality of students we had coming through the Science Summer School this year. They appeared interested in what was presented to them, and undertook the tasks given to them more than competently. If this is a reflection of the quality of the students we have coming through, then the future of science in New Zealand is in good hands,” says Dr Ian Duggan, Science Summer School Convenor.

Main sponsor Hill Laboratories is the country’s largest privately owned analytical testing laboratory

“Good science is close to our heart, and our strategic plan includes an intention to support young people as they pursue their own interests in science,” says Steve Howse, Hill Laboratories General Manager.

Waikato’s Summer School is an annual event run by Rotary District 9930 and Waikato University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, with sponsorship from Hill Laboratories.


Latest stories

Related stories

Raukokore Marine Research

Waikato supports Raukōkore Marine Research Centre opening

The Raukōkore Marine Research Centre has officially opened, providing a crucial research base for the…

Dr Jason Mika

Significant funding boost for University of Waikato research

The University of Waikato has achieved significant results in the latest funding round from the…

Scholarship recipient honours cherished former staff member

Third year Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science student, Petra Guy, is the inaugural…

3MT group photo 2023

Captive kiwi management researcher takes out tight competition

Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science animal behaviour researcher Rebecca Connor won the University's 3…

Professor Chris Battershill

Renowned scientist honoured for dedication to marine conservation

World-renowned marine scientist Professor Chris Battershill has been honoured for his significant contributions to marine…

Images of Dr Joel Rindelaub and Dr Benjamin Dickson from the University of Waikato

Curing cancer, clearing the air and changing the world: two senior chemistry lecturers move to Waikato

The University of Waikato has appointed two new senior chemistry lecturers to Te Aka Mātuatua…

Scholarship supports two worthy women in technology

The inaugural Endace Women in Technology Scholarship has been awarded to two University of Waikato…

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Sustainability Professor Lynda Johnston

Waikato ranks in top 100 of universities globally

The University of Waikato has been recognised in the top 100 of educational institutions worldwide…

HEBUST programme staff and students

University of Waikato’s engineering programme in China recognised as an award-winning collaboration

The University of Waikato’s undergraduate cooperative engineering programme at the Hebei University of Science and…

NZ industry burns the equivalent of 108 litres of petrol every second – that has to reduce to meet our carbon targets

Industry needs vast quantities of heat for a wide range of activities. But it’s very…

Nathan Bailey, inaugural recipient of the Tauranga Moana Futures Scholarship

Scholarship enables inaugural recipient to contribute to the redevelopment of Tauranga City

University of Waikato first-year Bachelor of Engineering student Nathan Bailey is the inaugural recipient of…

Waikato researchers at the frontier of New Zealand’s high-tech robotics industry

Developing a high-tech robotics industry in New Zealand to grow and support a horticulture sector…