Nominations Open for Otago Science Awards
A call is being made to recognise Otago’s science heroes with nominations now open for the biennial Otago Daily Times
Otago Science Awards – a joint initiative between the New Zealand International Science Festival and the ODT.
The Awards – first launched at the 2016 Festival – aims to acknowledge the work of science in our everyday lives and the
difference the people committed to the field make, from the region’s scientists to teachers, students, community groups,
volunteers and business people.
“Following on from the success of the inaugural 2016 Otago Daily Times Otago Science Awards, we’re excited to announce
they are happening again with new categories including Science Teacher Award, which recognises excellence in our
teaching community, and the Future Scientist Award, recognising our emerging talent,” says New Zealand International
Science Festival Director Dan Hendra.
“There are many everyday heroes working in Otago who bring science to life or push us to ‘go beyond’, the overriding
theme of this year’s Festival. We encourage people to nominate someone that person or group or business that is making a
difference to the way we understand our world, whether it’s a national or international contribution – or at a community
level.”
Awards categories include:
•The University of Otago – Lifetime Achievement
(In recognition to dedication and achievement in the field of sciences
•The Otago Polytechnic – Sustainability
(In recognition of sustainable practices integrated into their work and practice)
•Otago Museum – Science Communicator
(In recognition of excellence in communication in the sciences to a non-science crowd)
•Vodafone – Business
(In recognition of an individual in business that is leading science and innovation)
•Mitre10 MEGA – Future Scientist
(In recognition of a Year 12 or Year 13 student who has undertaken an outstanding science, technology, mathematics or
engineering project)
•ADInstruments – Emerging Scientist (tertiary level student)
(In recognition of an emerging scientist in the tertiary sector who is becoming established in their field)
•Science in Action – Science Teacher Award
(In recognition of a registered primary, intermediate or secondary school teacher who is teaching science, mathematics,
technology in the New Zealand curriculum)
ODT CEO Grant McKenzie says as the region’s preferred media outlet, the newspaper was proud of its science heroes and
was thrilled to be supporting the Awards again.
“We’ve long been supporters of the New Zealand International Science Festival and regularly enjoy sharing the stories of
science and innovation with our readers throughout the region and further afield. We look forward to seeing nominations
come in from across Otago as we celebrate these unsung science heroes.”
Nominations can be made online via the New Zealand International Science Festival website scifest.org.nz and will close on Thursday 28 June at 5pm. Winners will be announced at the launch of the New Zealand International
Science Festival on Friday 6 July.