SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION FUND

 2001/2002 results

 

Introduction

This contestable fund has been made available by the Government to promote positive values and attitudes towards science, mathematics, social sciences and technology in interesting, exciting and innovative ways.

The fund includes provision for one large project ($30,000 - $100,000) and a number of projects of up to $30,000.  A total of 68 applications were received for the 2001/02 Promotion Fund with a total of $2,374,380.00 applied for, 59 were for the “under $30,000” category and 9 for the “up to $100,000” category.  Of those 68 applications, 12 applications were successful, 11 for the “under $30,000” category and 1 for the “up to $100,000”.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION FUND

RECIPIENTS FOR 2001/2002

The following projects have received funding from the 2001/2002 round.  Many of these initiatives also receive funding from other sources.  A requirement of the up to $100,000 (incl. GST) category is that the applicant must be able to demonstrate matching funding from other sources.

Up to $100,000 (including GST)

A Minute of Science

Livingstone Productions Ltd 

Project leaders: John Givins and Tim Marshall

"A Minute of Science" will be a series of one minute long television programmes about innovative science discoveries in New Zealand.  This is a joint venture with Television New Zealand and Channel I and will run nightly in prime time on TV1.  The one-minute format is specifically intended to give a short, snappy byte of current scientific research happening in New Zealand.

It will be a highly charged show that is stimulating, informative and entertaining, and will be talked about in the workplace and classroom the following day.

Up to $30,000 (including GST)

Mathematics Promotion in Manukau

University of Auckland Mathematics Education Unit

Project leader: Bill Barton

The Mathematics Promotion in Manukau Project is an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the importance and relevance of mathematical science in the Manukau community.  By working with business and professional role models from within the community, this project will awaken people to the way in which mathematics and statistics underlie activities such as planning, organisation, distribution and many community services.

Aotearoa: A Journey of Discovery

He Kupenga Hao i te Reo Inc. (2 years)

Project leaders: Ian Christensen and Eljon Fitzgerald

This Palmerston North based project will develop a bilingual (Maori and English) board game that provides knowledge, information and understanding of science, technology, mathematical and social science phenomena in a contemporary and historical New Zealand context. “Aotearoa: a Journey of Discovery” is targeted at Maori school pupils, but will have widespread appeal to all age groups and the themes featured in the game are of relevance to all sectors of society.

Science and Technology- Partners in Regional Development

Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand Inc. and Business New Zealand Inc.

Project leaders: John Gardiner and Simon Carlaw

“Science and Technology- Partners in Regional Development” will be a series of regional forums designed to promote the value of science and technology to small and medium sized businesses.  Attendees will go away from the forum understanding its critical role in wealth creation and what they, as local community leaders, can do to encourage and use science and technology based innovation and entrepreneurship to develop a stronger economy and society.

The Language of our Rocks

University of Canterbury

Project leader: Richard Hartshorn

“The Language of our Rocks” aims to equip secondary school science teachers throughout the South Island with the necessary skills to teach Earth Sciences with confidence.  Many teachers feel insecure when dealing with this part of the curriculum, as they are primarily qualified in chemistry, physics or biology.

The programme will include workshops, assistance with field trips, and a rock exchange will be established between participating schools.

Taking it to the Streets

Auckland Museum Institute

Project leader: Hugh Grenfell

The “Taking it to the Streets” project involves using young science and technology graduates as street theatre performers who go to the audience rather than the audience coming to them.  Based in South Auckland venues such as marae, shopping malls, and libraries, this format will be an effective way of communicating science-related issues in ways the audience can relate to in their everyday lives.

E ruia mai nga kakano o putaiao me hangarau – Planting the Seeds of Science and Technology: An Otago Maori Community Initiative

University of Otago Maori Post-Graduate Students Association

Project leader: Mark Laws

This project will host a series of science and technology awareness camps (hui and wananga) designed specifically for Maori based in the greater Dunedin area.  The emphasis is marae-based, and will present science and technology in a positive non-intrusive manner to audiences ranging from children to parents and grandparents.

Floating Love and Passion in the Scientific Imagination- An Archive of Contemporary Culture

Massey University, Wellington

Project leader: Anne Noble

This is a documentary photographic and life history project, in which a combination of visual images and spoken word will be used to challenge popular conceptions of what it means to be a scientist.  Whereas scientists and technologists are usually portrayed in close proximity to laboratory equipment, this project will convey images of scientists in the context of conversations about love, passion and the scientific imagination to a wide audience.

Sounds Fun

Hawkes Bay Cultural Trust-The Faraday Centre (2 years)

Project leader: Anthony Prebensen

“Sounds Fun” is an interactive exhibition about the physical phenomena of sound.  Specialist equipment will be restored or designed to provide educators with an excellent teaching resource based in Napier.  Children will interact with the equipment and adults in an enjoyable and informative way that promotes positive responses and comments.  The first year of the project will include the generation, recording and transmission of sound, and the second year will concentrate on frequencies and uses

Porirua Secondary Schools Mentoring Initiative

Partners Porirua

Project leader: Michelle Robinson

This project will enhance the experiences of Maori and Pacific Island secondary school students in the Porirua area, and help them reach their full potential in the areas of science, mathematics and technology.  University students who act as mentors will provide one on one support.  These mentors assist with activities, lifting the pupils’ expectations and increasing their knowledge about science and technology research, its applications, and how it relates to every day life.

SciTech Trends – 21^st Century

Science Alive!  The New Zealand Science Centre

Project leader: Brian Taylor

“SciTech Trends – 21^st Century” is a set of 8 interactive mobile units which focus on a number of science and technology issues which have an impact on our future as New Zealanders.  These exhibits will be designed to encourage business people who are decision-makers to think about and discuss the issues raised by them.  The units will be placed on display at seminars, workshops and business planning meetings in the Christchurch area where participants can interact with them during breaks.

New Zealand in Time and Place

New Zealand Historic Places Trust (2 years)

Project leader: Jan Titus

“New Zealand in Time and Place” will be a video illustrating the role of Lyttleton’s Timeball Station in navigation around New Zealand.  It will explain the underlying concepts behind navigation and longitude from Victorian technology through to GPS, under the central theme of ‘knowing where you are is a matter of knowing what time it is.’  Situated at the Timeball Station museum in Lyttleton, this video will inform and entertain many school groups and overseas visitors.