RSNZ/2002 Yearbook/Awards

2002 Annual Report Of The Royal Society of New Zealand

Incorporating the 2002 Academy Council Yearbook

Medals and awards

One way in which both the Royal Society and the Academy Councils recognise and reward excellence is by awarding medals and other awards to individuals who have distinguished themselves in research or in the promotion or organisation of science in New Zealand. The Royal Society as a whole administers the New Zealand Science and Technology Medals and the Academy Council awards five major research medals in broad fields, as well as other medals in more specialised fields. There are also several prizes for specific achievements. See the Academy Council Yearbook section.

New Zealand Science and Technology Medals

These medals were instituted by the Royal Society of New Zealand at the request of the Government to recognise and honour those who have made exceptional contributions to New Zealand society and culture through activities in the broad fields of science, mathematics, social science and technology. The Rutherford Medal is the highest of these awards. Silver Medals are awarded to men and women who have made excellent contributions in these fields. Bronze Medals are given to those who can serve as role models and who demonstrate the importance of science and technology to the community.

2002 Rutherford Medal

Professor Jeffery Tallon FRSNZ, Industrial Research Limited, Lower Hutt and School of Chemical & Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington

Winner of the 2002 Rutherford Medal, Professor Jeffery Tallon (right) displays the new personalised licence plate he also received on the night (Te Papa, 21 November). Professor Tallon, with colleagues, obtained a patent for a superconductor containing bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper oxide (BSCCO) which is now used internationally for superconducting wire manufacture. IRL's Chief Executive, Nigel Kirkpatrick (left), displays DrTallon's Rutherford medal.

2002 Silver Medals

Robyn Baker MRSNZ, New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Wellington

Dr Owen Catchpole, Industrial Research Limited, Lower Hutt

Professor Ron Keam, Department of Physics, The University of Auckland, jointly with

Mr Ted Lloyd, Rotorua

Dr Richard McKenzie MRSNZ, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Omakau

Associate Professor Ralph Sims, Institute of Technology & Engineering, Massey University, Palmerston North

2002 Bronze Medals

Dr John Clayton, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton

Dr Lindsay Matthews, Animal Behaviour & Welfare Research Centre, AgResearch, Ruakura

Dr John Stark, Cawthron Institute, Nelson

Dr Michael Stewart, Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences, Lower Hutt

Associate Professor Christine Thomson MRSNZ, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago

Dr Warren Williams MRSNZ, AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North

R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Royal Society of New Zealand in memory of Professor Richard Bates FRSNZ. The scholarship, tenable at any New Zealand university for one year and worth $5,000, is available to graduates who are registered for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Students in the physical sciences and engineering are eligible, with preference being given to those whose research aims to apply information/image processing to studies in medicine, the physical sciences, astronomy, or engineering.

The 2002 R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship was awarded to Valerie Leung from the University of Canterbury, for research focussing on developing algorithms to produce distortion-free astronomical images.

Previous winners:

1993 Timothy S. Banks 1998 Sven A. M. Ôstring

1994 David W. Hawkins 1999 Paul R. Davidson

1995 David S. C. Biggs 2000 Rachel Johnston

1996 Jovan Skuljan 2001 Cressida Magdalen Harding

1997 Michal Komlos

Skinner Fund

The Skinner Fund is sponsored jointly by the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Polynesian Society and the New Zealand Archaeological Association.

The purpose of the fund is to promote the study of the history, art, culture, physical and social anthropology of the Maori and other Polynesian peoples, particularly through the recording, survey, excavation and scientific study of prehistoric and historic sites in New Zealand and the islands of the south-west Pacific.

In 2002 Skinner Fund grants were made to Louise Furey and Brenda Sewell, and Takuya Nagaoka.

Previous winners:

1997 Claire Reeler, Takuya Nagaoka 2000 Emma Brooks, Alaric Nicholls,

1998 Angela Middleton, Senka Vrbancic, Tim Thomas,

James Samson, Patricia Wallace

Senka Vrbancic 2001 Hamish Gordon,

1999 Catherine Gudgeon, Angela Middleton,

Elaine Rush Takuya Nagaoka

Companions

Election as a Companion is an honour recognising contributions to the promotion and advancement of science and technology in New Zealand. It also implies responsibilities. Companions shall be expected, where they are able, to contribute to activities in the Society and wider community that foster a culture supportive of science and technology; promote and advance science and technology; and enhance the awareness, knowledge and understanding of science and technology in New Zealand's education system and society.

Companions as at December 2002 (date elected in italics) are:

Mr Frank Andrews CRSNZ, Carter Observatory, Wellington, 20/7/01

Professor Roy Geddes CRSNZ, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, 14/9/99

Dr Stephen Goldson CRSNZ, AgResearch, Lincoln, 20/7/01

Dr Jonathon Hickford CRSNZ, Lincoln University, Canterbury, 11/7/02

Dr Helen Hughes CBE CRSNZ, Wellington, 20/7/01

Ms Vicki Hyde CRSNZ, South Pacific Information Services, Christchurch, 20/7/01

Dr Bruce Miller OBE CRSNZ, Wellington, 14/9/99

Mr Ross Moore CRSNZ, Wellington, 29/11/01

Dr Craig Ross CRSNZ, Landcare Research, Palmerston North, 14/9/99

Professor Jacqueline Rowarth CRSNZ, Graduate School, UNITEC, Auckland, 20/7/01

Dr Jim Salinger CRSNZ, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Auckland, 20/7/01

Dr David Wratt CRSNZ, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, 30/3/00

Education Awards

Administrative support for pupils and teachers taking part in science and technology programmes outside New Zealand is provided to promote science and technology to young people and to provide interested and able young people with opportunities to interact with similar young people from throughout the world. As well as encouraging and supporting their interests in science and technology, the cultural awareness and understanding of the New Zealand participants is enhanced.

While the Purchase Agreement with MoRST provides for the administration of selected opportunities, Royal Society staff are constantly promoting this activity to sponsors to enable costs to the participants to be minimised. Currently the Royal Society receives support from the Building Research Association of New Zealand, Asia2000 and the British Council. The Royal Society also manages the relationships with the USA Space Camp,

Sydney University, Australian International Space School and the Ministry of Education, Singapore, all of which provide local accommodation for New Zealand participants.

In 2002 the Royal Society selected pupils and teachers to attend the:

US Space Camp (2 pupils, 1 teacher)
London Youth International Science Forum (1 pupil)
Australian International Space School (7 pupils; 2 teachers)
Taiwan National Science Fair (2 pupils and 1 teacher)
biennial Harry Messels International Science School, Sydney, Australia (6 pupils)

Unfortunately, due to economic constraints, the hosting organisation did not invite international students to the Monbusho Programme, Japan; the Nanyang Technology and Engineering Research Programme, Singapore; and the Singapore Science Programme.

These activities expose many of our promising young scientists and technologists to latest research and new knowledge as well as allowing them to establish friendships with foreign pupils of similar interests. Opportunities for future collaboration are generated through involvement in actual research projects, and the value of science and technology is demonstrated to these young New Zealanders. In addition, our promising young people are exposed to different social cultures and gain a perspective of New Zealand's place in the world.

The Royal Society now tracks participants into their future, supporting and monitoring their progress, which will also allow us to evaluate the contribution of these programmes in the future to their careers and development.

Selection is carried out by national search, either through advertising to schools or by using established activities for young people. The pupils are selected on merit by a panel of educators and sponsors.

London International Youth Science Forum

Three-hundred students from all over the world share in a programme of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, visits and social activity based at the University of London. As part of the two week programme, they experience the night life and culture of London and are given the opportunity to sightsee in and around London.

Jennifer Fife, a student at Rangi Ruru Girls School, Canterbury, and Alan Williams, a student from Wairarapa College, attended the Forum in 2002. The Royal Society of NewZealand is very grateful to the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) and the British Council for support for these awards.

People at the forum come from a large range of countries, religions, and viewpoints. Communicating with these people, hearing their beliefs, hopes, and aspirations, sharing your own, and learning to keep an open mind, is one of the greatest things about the forum, and is certainly much better than a simple science course. There are a lot of problems in the world today that can be solved famine, war, and disasters yet the solutions to these problems are far from simple and need a lot of discussion and cooperation.

For two weeks, the participants live together as an international community, and are able to exchange their ideas and experiences of the world to fulfill the aim of the Science Forum: to give a greater insight into science and its application for the benefit of all mankind. Alan Williams, Wairarapa College

US International Space Camp

The mission of the International Space Camp is to promote the advancement of all mankind through international co-operation in space science education. Participants

spend 2 weeks undergoing astronaut training, culminating in a simulated space mission at the NASA Space Centre, Huntsville, Alabama.

Josie Spiller a student at Wellington Girls' College, and Andrew Brown from Bayfield High School, Dunedin, attended this programme in 2002. Peter Green of St Augustine's College, Wanganui, accompanied the students.

The trip has shown me the wide opportunities that are available in the NASA programme in the area that I am interested. I want to be involved in the training of astronauts for long distance space travel and the spin off effects that may occur. I am now aware of specific programmes involving the exercise needed in space to maintain the human body. I am hoping to further my studies at one of the Aeronautical Universities to be able to work in that field.

Josie Spiller, Wellington Girls' College

Australian International Astronomy School

This is an opportunity for teachers and secondary school students over 15 years old to attend a residential school on space and astronomy in Canberra, Australia. Nine students, two teachers and a representative of the Royal Society were selected to attend in 2002:

Laura Bylsma, James Hargest High School, Invercargill; Danielle Higgins, Sacred Heart Girls' College, Hamilton; Shane Barclay, Bream Bay College, Northland; Simon Murphy, Riccarton High School, Christchurch; Leighton Duke, St Peter's College, Auckland; Darian Rhodes, Napier Boys' High School; Rachel Blampied, Springbank School, Northland; Dora Wan, Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland and Richard Cowley, Rotorua Boys' High School, with teacher escorts Gary Sparks, from Tamatea High School, and Shelley Keogh, from Springbank School, and Debbie Chan from the Royal Society.

The space camp was based in Sydney and Canberra and a highlight of the trip was visiting the Deep Space Tracking Station at Tidbinbilla and visiting CSIRO. Other activities included trips to observatories and lectures. Students also got to sightsee in Sydney and Canberra.

The 2002 Third Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientist

This congress was held in Penang, Malaysia and the theme for 2002 was, "Creating Intelligent Cities for the Harmonious Societies'. Included at the conference were an opening ceremony, presentations of student investigations, judging, activities and visits and a farewell dinner.

James Canny, a student at Verdon College, Invercargill, and Linda Moore, ex-student at Morrinsville College, were escorted by Kathryn Hicks from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Linda Moore was awarded an international prize for her exhibit "Stream Matters".

The Royal Society is grateful to ASIA2000 for their support which enabled the two students to participate.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Fair

Michael Walmsley, 17, from Church College in Hamilton, and Richard Graham, from Nelson College, attended this fair from 11-23 August, accompanied by Rosalie McGowan of Diocesan School for Girls, Hamilton. This Fair is organised by the Joint School Science Exhibition Preparation Committee and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and involved eight international countries.

Photograph by John Savage