Science Spinners Coming To Auckland And Hamilton To Bring STEM To The Future

We’re constantly bombarded with news about how our young people are failing in STEM, and lacking inspiration to pursue the problem solving careers we need them to lead in to take us into a better future. What about the low achievement rates of Māori and Pasifika across this space?

What’s going to change the science landscape of Aotearoa and when are we going to sit up and pay attention?!

The solution? Science Spinners, coming to a city near you - and Auckland for the first time ever!

Recognising that not everyone learns the same way has brought this programme to fruition. We’re now running Creative Lab, STEMHub and Code-Hub - all rotational programmes, running hands-on activities by Kudos Science Trust scientists, experts and industry professionals and connecting them to the kids who need it.

This week, more than 80 professionals representing 40 companies from around south Auckland and Hamilton have volunteered their time to help us ‘Demystify the Sci’. THIS IS NOT AN EXPO!

More than 800 high school students from all over Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and now South Auckland are taking part, getting hands-on with four areas of science/ STEM across five days: Health/Medicine, Environmental, Primary Industry/FoodTech and Engineering.

Scientists include: Kura Paul-Burke, Charles Lee, Shen Hin Lim, Mathew Luckie, ES astics, with support from Waikato DHB, The University of Waikato, The University of Auckland, Te Pukenga and companies like NIWA, Downer, BCD Group, Aurecon, Linkalliance, Dempsey Wood and many more.

So, why don’t you check it out yourself?

We’re running our first-ever Auckland event, STEMHUB (STEM in Trades - ENGINEERING Focus) on Wednesday 29 June at Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau.

Then from 5-8 July, both the Creative Lab and STEMHUB programmes will be running at the Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton. Science Trust

Why Science Spinners?

Since 2016 we’ve aimed to "demystify the sci" for our youth and vulnerable communities, to normalise Science and STEM and to show them how and where it applies on the daily - “Because, if it's not relevant, it doesn’t matter!” The bonus: it closes the gap and helps build a more diverse bunch of critical thinkers and problem solvers in Aotearoa.

So what’s different about Science Spinners? Our Kudos Science Trust network comprises more than 300 amazing scientists, and we celebrate the contributions and extraordinary achievements of our regional scientists annually with our Kudos Awards.

However, Science Spinners hasn't been developed by scientists. It has been developed by lived experience of our education system and societal biases. Together we’ve been able to make a difference and now we’re getting some real traction!

For more, visit us on www.sciencespinners.org.nz or at www.thekudos.org.nz

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