MOTAT’s annual fair encourages young minds to pursue careers in science and technology
MOTAT’s STEM Fair is the place to be on Sunday 11 April. From 10 am – 4 pm over 40 specialist exhibitors from leading
STEM organisations will be ready to inspire the next generation of Kiwi kids to consider careers in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Doctor, Police Officer, or wannabe Game Designer? The MOTAT STEM Fair is designed to showcase STEM principles in an
interactive environment outside the classroom, where kids of all ages can experience ground-breaking new technology at
play.
Having worked on this collaborative event for several years, MOTAT’s Education Manager, Julie Baker says its escalating
popularity, both with exhibitors and visitors is remarkable, “there is a real appetite among young people to find out
more about studying and working in the STEM fields”.
“With success stories like Rocket Lab coming out of New Zealand, we are seeing an ever-increasing technology fluent
generation asking how they can push the boundaries of their imagination into reality”.
The STEM Fair is perfect for enquiring minds, with top exhibitors such as The Ministry of Primary Industries running
sniffer dog demonstrations, NZ Police hosting a forensic display and University of Auckland shrinking participants down
to the size of an atom in a virtual reality experience.
University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences will also be there, with Dr. Hilary Sheppard hosting ‘Squishy
Science’ an interactive experiment giving visitors the chance to extract DNA from strawberries.
“It’s quick, easy, squishy, and fun. When we ran this activity at a previous MOTAT STEM Fair the children (hundreds of
them!) really enjoyed it – they are surprised that they can actually see DNA with their own eyes (no microscope
needed),” she says.
There will also be notable businesses like NIWA, Imagr, and Sustainable Coastlines attending the MOTAT STEM Fair.
In celebration of all things STEM, MOTAT is inviting all registered teachers to bring their families along to the Museum
free of charge throughout April (including STEM Fair) on presentation of their current Practising Certificate.
The STEM Fair began in 1988 and has run annually since its launch.
Institutions and specialists continue to sign up for the MOTAT STEM Fair but those who have confirmed their
participation include:University of AucklandKids Game DevKai’s ClanRoyal New Zealand Air ForceNIWAInstitute of Civil EngineersNZ Astrobiology NetworkMinistry of Primary IndustriesGNSUniversity of CanterburyTread LightlyNZ PolicePlant and Food ResearchCOMET Auckland STEM AllianceSustainable CoastlinesRefrigeration Professional Guild NZAUTESRImagrKidwe Lad
Location: MOTAT – 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Date: Sunday 11 April, 2021
Time: 10am to 4pm