Green Light for More Taranaki Community Science Projects
Taranaki’s curious minds will be able to explore more ideas with science, thanks to an extension to the popular
Participatory Science Platform. The programme has already supported almost two dozen projects in Taranaki, and has been
renewed until mid-2019.
“This is a fantastic result for Taranaki, and will help our communities gain a much greater knowledge of the science
around them,” says the programme’s manager Josh Richardson, of Venture Taranaki.
“The Participatory Science Platform project Curious Minds supports people, schools, businesses, and community and
industry groups who have an idea to test it with science and technology.”
“Venture Taranaki has run this programme for three years now and to date has enabled 35 schools, 70 experts, and more
than 1,000 people to undertake 23 science projects. This additional funding of $162,000 for 2018 will see many more
projects come to life,” Josh says.
Projects as diverse as electric transport, long-tail bat populations, natural insect repellents and protecting sea life
have all been made possible with the programme, which is available in Taranaki, Otago and South Auckland. New ideas are
now being sought to progress in 2018.
“The sky’s the limit when it comes to the type of proposals that Curious Minds could support. We’ve seen environmental
projects, studies to cultivate traditional crops, testing new ideas, and helping fix real problems. It really
demonstrates the versatility of science and scientific application to the world around us.”
“This additional funding means we are now able to re-open the fund to any group, school or club and encourage them to
get in touch with us to express their interest and discuss their ideas.”
“If you have a science or technology related research idea then we can provide funding of up to $20,000 to enable you to
access the scientific support to get it off the ground.”
Those with ideas are encouraged to contact Josh to see if it fits the PSP criteria, and if so to receive an application
form. Applications close on Thursday 15 March 2018.
ENDS