Making science more fun
The stars that make up the Southern Cross constellation are not as close together as you might think.
In fact they range from 88 to 364 light years away from Earth and are of different sizes, colour and number.
True star positions is just one of over 70 hands-on exhibits that make up this year’s IXOMsponsored Science Roadshow, which will be at Te Puke high School next week.
The exhibits are grouped into six themes: Astronomy, Ecology/ Environment, Interpreting representations, Reflection/ Refraction, Sound, and Spinning and Whizzing.
“Visitors can try their hand at nearly anything from taking a bicycle ride with a skeleton, to being inside a kaleidoscope or from learning about the life-cycle of whitebait to exploring how sonar works,” says Science Roadshow manager Shane Kingston.
Between exploring the exhibits, the roadshow also enthrals audiences with two live shows: Fire and Ice — a spectacular introduction to temperature, and Am I Living ? which explores the key processes of life.
Celebrating its 30th year of operation, the Science Roadshow is touring to 120 locations throughout New Zealand in both remote rural areas and city venues.
Over 47,000 students from more than 500 schools are expected to visit the Science Roadshow this year.
Raising funds to support this programme is the biggest challenge faced by the National Science Technology Roadshow Trust, so all funding offers and opportunities are gratefully received.
“We want all students to have early opportunities to connect with science and technology,” says roadshow director Ian Kennedy.
“Having a fun, hands-on programme that is supportive of student learning, extra resources for teachers and travelling into smaller and more isolated rural towns through to larger cities and various communities within reduces many of the barriers to science engagement.”