Supporting Our Leaders of Tomorrow.

Sharyn was a judge at the recent Science and Technology Fair held at Victoria University in Wellington. This year there were 424 exhibits involving 596 students from 46 schools. She judged the best senior and best junior projects/exhibits relating to Emergency Management. 35 exhibits were judged and the standard was high. The following exhibits won a prize:

William Matheson, a year 7 student from St Bernard’s College. His exhibit was called: ‘Making Houses Safer in Earthquakes’. The aim of William’s project was to produce an earthquake isolator that would reduce structural damage to structural buildings during an earthquake using recycled, economical and environmentally sound materials in conjunction with current domestic building techniques. William had observed the base isolators at Te Papa and thought why not for homes. It was well presented project including sound research findings and very interesting to read.

 

 

 

 

Jeremy Sheat and Timothy Clarke, year 9 students from Samuel Marsden Whitby had an exhibit called ‘Engulfed in Flames’. They explored different trouser fabrics when exposed to the naked flame and wanted to make recommendations about what is best to wear when trying to escape a fire. They found that synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon burn quickly and melt. This fabric could stick to the skin. Natural fibres such as cotton, wool and linen burn slower. Denim is harder to catch alight. This project was well presented and well researched.

Overall the exhibits were of a very high standard. It was a pleasure to be involved in the science fair and an opportunity to acknowledge young people in their enthusiasm and contribution to science and technology.