Students to solve science shortage
Kate McGrath, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute, says the camp aimed to introduce NCEA Level 2 and 3 students to the modern aspects of science in New Zealand, in particular in nanotechnology, one of the government’s targetted areas where there is a shortage of scientists.
“The students took part in a range of activities from looking at how small things behave differently to large things, photolithography, which is using light to make lithographic patterns, and they looked at how they can start to measure things like DNA,” says McGrath, “They also went to GNS Science to look at patterning and embedding technology.”
McGrath says the camp was designed to encourage students to pursue science as a study and career choice and “extraordinarily good feedback” from the students has left her hopeful that, in a new study tracking ex-NanoCampers’ school subjects and degree choices, an increase in scientific choices will be seen.
“For future development in New Zealand that underlies our economic basis, it’s crucial to have a strong scientific cohort. At the moment the numbers are not sufficient,” says McGrath, “We want to be able to educate and provide to New Zealand not just scientists but innovative, entrepreneurial scientists who are willing to take science into new territories within New Zealand.”
The MacDiarmid Institute also offers post-doctoral level scholarships to encourage those pursuing science to remain onshore. While final enrolment figures are yet to be released, based on this year’s pre-enrolments the number of science enrolments at Victoria University has increased compared to last year.









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