7 November 2011
19 school students selected for prestigious national science and technology event
Nineteen top secondary students from all over New Zealand have been selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to
attend Genesis Energy’s Realise the Dream, a prestigious annual national event which takes place from 3-10 December.
During the week the students will travel on an all-expense paid trip from Auckland to Wellington, along the way visiting
companies involved in science and technology.
Genesis Energy’s Realise the Dream rewards and celebrates students who have undertaken an excellent piece of science
research or technological development.
Forty-two nominations were received this year for a place in the event, with the nine judges each reviewing every
project and then meeting over a weekend to pick the participants.
The projects ranged from investigating the shelf life of figs, and the pathogen killing kauri trees, to an unmanned
flying platform, a wave making device, and a pest trap wireless monitoring system.
The Realise the Dream event begins in Auckland on 3 December and the students travel by coach through the North Island
where they will be involved in hands-on programmes organised by organisations such as Genesis Energy at Tokaanu; Leigh
Marine Centre; the Liggins Institute in Auckland; DairyNZ in Hamilton; Massey University in Palmerston North and NIWA in
Wellington. They will also be involved in social activities run by the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Tongariro and walk on
top of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
They will end their journey in Wellington where there is a special awards presentation and cocktail function that is
being hosted by Their Excellencies, The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae, at Government House,
Wellington on Friday 9 December.
Cash scholarships and travel grants are announced at this function with the overall winner getting a $7,000 cash
scholarship and an all expenses paid trip to the European Union Young Scientist Competition, in Bratislava, Slovakia, in
September 2012. Other awards include four travel awards to celebrate the Centenary of Antarctic Expeditions and will
include a historic commemorative flight from Melbourne to Commonwealth Bay and the Ross Sea area on Sunday 15 January
2012 and will include 3 days in Melbourne.
The Chief Executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand Dr Di McCarthy said the students have shown great determination
and imagination with their projects.
“The inventiveness that comes through in these projects is quite outstanding. Many of them have the potential to solve
some very tricky problems. We believe all the students selected show great promise and we hope they will continue with
their studies.”
See attached release that lists all the students and their projects – by region from north to south.
ENDS