The MOTAT Science Street Fair

The intriguing world of science at the MOTAT Science Street Fair

Whether you’re interested in volcanos, robotics, virtual reality, solar telescopes or bugs that glow in the dark, there will be something to fascinate everyone at MOTAT’s Science Street Fair on Sunday 3 April.

Hosted in partnership with the University of Auckland, the NZ Association of Scientists and other experts, this family focussed event offers visitors a hands-on learning experience. It also gives them the unique opportunity to meet the Kiwi scientists behind some of the most innovative scientific work of our time.

“The Science Street Fair showcases the Museum’s commitment to focus on Kiwi technology and ingenuity in a creative way to educate and inspire visitors so that they go on to become the innovators of tomorrow,” says MOTAT chief executive Michael Frawley.

The impressive line-up of leading Kiwi scientists exhibiting at the Fair includes the multi-award winning nano-scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson. Dr Dickinson’s day job is working as a senior lecturer in Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland. At night however, she becomes Nanogirl, a superhero determined to get children (especially young girls) enthusiastic about science. Michelle defies all the boring scientific stereotypes - she's a vivacious, female scientist with a passion for kitesurfing, rock climbing and mountain biking. She devotes hundreds of hours towards furthering her cause to make the serious subject of science fun and accessible.

If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly kill super bugs then don’t miss the ‘What Kills Bugs?’ stand at the Science Street Fair. The team from the University of Auckland will be sharing their enthusiasm for microbiology and creatures that glow in the dark. Visitors are encouraged to use their scientific skills to identify the common household products which kill bioluminescent bacteria

Lasers are incredibly powerful instruments and members of the Photon Factory team (the state-of-the-art pulsed laser research facility in the University of Auckland) will be there demonstrating the colour of light to guests and inspiring the next generation of young scientists – something which they consider to be one of their most important roles.

The wide variety of exhibits on display will encourage guests to interact with experiments and inventions while asking questions of the experts on hand. Along with several other scientists from the University of Auckland, the following organisations will also be attending: Massey University, Zombiebots, DEVORA and the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour (NZILBB).

“These high calibre scientists are all zealous about science and have fantastic knowledge to share,” says Mr Frawley. “We want everyone, particularly youngsters, to get excited about science and its many possibilities”.

For more information about MOTAT and its exhibitions, please visit the website: www.motat.org.nz or see MOTAT’s Facebook Page.

ENDS

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