Waikato River focus for Science Summer School

View photos from the Hill Laboratories Waikato Science Summer School.

Investigating the past and present condition of the Waikato River was the task for 39 top Year 12 students last week at the University of Waikato.

The week-long action-packed Hill Laboratories Waikato Science Summer School ran from 4-9 December, and gave the students a taste of what it can be like to study science and engineering at a tertiary level.

The Summer School is an annual event run by Rotary District 9930 and Waikato University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, with sponsorship from Hill Laboratories.

The week kicked off with a visit to the The Mighty River Waikato exhibition at the Waikato Museum, followed by a road trip up the river with stops at Lake Taupo and Tokaanu Power Station, and an overnight stay at Turangi. The following day the group travelled back down the river, with stops to explore and collect samples at the Craters of the Moon, Wairakei, Aratiatia Rapids, Waipapa Dam, the Karapiro Stream and the Hamilton Water Treatment Plant.

The remainder of the week was spent in Waikato University’s science and engineering labs, analysing samples and experimenting with the university’s state-of-the-art instruments. Among other experiments, the labs included examining Waikato River zooplankton under the microscopes in the biology lab, looking at how pumps are used within Hamilton’s water supply system in the chemical and biological engineering lab; analysing water samples taken from the river in the chemistry lab; investigating the hydrology around the river in the earth sciences lab; and building and programming water flow meters in the electronic engineering lab. 

The week culminated with group presentations by the students on the topics of the natural, unmodified Waikato River; dam and power generation on the river; the influence of rural land use on the river; and the effects of urban development on the river.

“I was incredibly impressed with the quality of students we had coming through the Science Summer School this year. They appeared interested in what was presented to them, and undertook the tasks given to them more than competently.  If this is a reflection of the quality of the students we have coming through, then the future of science in New Zealand is in good hands,” says Dr Ian Duggan, Science Summer School Convenor.

The 39 students resided in College Hall during their stay at Waikato University, giving them the opportunity to experience true student life.

Each student applied to their local Rotary club to be in the running to attend the Summer School. The 39 students were then selected by Rotary from a pool of applicants.

Main sponsor Hill Laboratories is the country’s largest privately owned analytical testing laboratory specialising in a wide range of environmental, agricultural, food safety, food residue and air quality testing.  A tour of Hill Laboratories was included as part of the week’s agenda.

 “Good science is close to our heart, and our strategic plan includes an intention to support young people as they pursue their own interests in science,” says Steve Howse, Hill Laboratories General Manager. 

“The Science Summer School is a key event for us to support, as it provides an opportunity for young people to come together and learn in the field of science and technology – an important step towards a career in this industry.”