Otago University Advanced School Sciences Academy

Just a reminder that applications for the 2025 Student and Teacher programmes are OPEN!!

Student applications close September 20th and must be accompanied by a nominating teacher form as well as an essay. You can find more information here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa or email [email protected]

Applications open TODAY for our 2025 intake of students and teachers! Apply here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa

Students: You will need to fill in a student application form and have a teacher will in the teacher nomination form. EMAIL us a COPY of your essay as a PDF. Please do not share us into any documents.

Teachers: Keep an eye out for the information packs being sent out to schools this week!

Science Academy, Otago University Advanced School Sciences Academy | University of Otago The Science Academy is an exciting science outreach programme aimed at Year 13 students from lower decile, rural/provincial, and small schools across New Zealand.

Great article on what Science Academy 2024 student Anika Hayes got up to in Kazakhstan recently!!

Science Academy student takes bronze at the Biology Olympics | University of Otago Anika Hayes had the perfect excuse for missing the second week-long Science Academy camp held recently on campus – she was representing New Zealand at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in Kazakhstan.

Following on the last post highlighting our amazing 2024 Podcasting group, here are the efforts of the 2024 Filmmaking stream :)

blogs.otago.ac.nz

We had a great Science Communication showcase on July 12 featuring our 2024 students presenting their talks, films and museum shows live in person! The podcasting group was introduced and you can now listen to their podcasts at the following links :) Enjoy!!

https://oar.org.nz/science-academy-podcasts/

https://accessmedia.nz/ProgrammePage.aspx?PID=7fe742a6-a84b-4280-b43f-766e226b4069

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-academy-podcasts/id1758664438

https://open.spotify.com/show/60Xi2LbeMidpYb7FTXbVXg?si=QNbVvqOwSc6DRM72554nag&nd=1&dlsi=76373231d5704ab3

Science Academy Podcasts Listen to Science Academy Podcasts on Spotify. Students from isolated or under-served communities from around the country have come to Dunedin for an intensive week submerged in the world of science.

Congratulations to 2024 student Anika Hayes heading to Kazakhstan as part of the NZ team for the Biology Olympiad. To get to this stage, Anika had to first undertake a tutorial program which culminated in an exam whittling the field down to 25 students from hundreds. The top 25 then attended an in person training camp where a final 4 were selected to represent NZ!! Read more about Anika's journey to the Olympiad here: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/kazakhstan-beckons-wghs-pupil

There is a givealittle page setup to help her get to Kazakhstan here:
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-our-brightest-young-scientists

we look forward to hearing all about Anika's adventures when she returns :)

Supporting our brightest young scientists! NZIBO fosters excellence in biology for 100's of top students but needs your support to raise enough funds to allow the NZ team to compete.

Recent solar storms saw stunning skies in both the Nothern and Southern hemispheres. If you were lucky enough to be in an area where the sky was clear around mid May, you probably saw some amazing aurora on display. For those interested in learning more about this phenomena there is a webpage run by the University that will let you know what the viewing is like for the evening: http://auroraalert.otago.ac.nz/aurora/index.html

Also a facebook group to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZaurora

Happy sky watching!

Aurora Australis: Dunedin Nowcast Level You need a clear view to the south. The best places to do that are dark beaches on the east coast of the southern part of South Island. In Dunedin you can for example go to:

This year, our overarching theme has been "The truth is out there - but can you find it?" Our latest blog post explores the ideas of bias in support of this theme.

blogs.otago.ac.nz

Huge thanks to all the students and teachers who have applied for Science Academy 2024 so far!! Remember that applications for STUDENTS close tomorrow at midnight!!

Applications are now open for 2024 student and teacher programmes. Apply now!!

How to apply for Science Academy, Otago University Advanced School Sciences Academy, University of Otago, New Zealand Student registration information for Science Academy at the University of Otago.

For teachers who want a whole list of good resources/links about Matauranga Maori...

Mātauranga Māori and Science I'm non-Māori and I have found these items supportive in growing my understanding of Mātauranga Māori and how I might bring it into my teaching practice.

A good blog and video about what Matauranga Maori is.. and how we can use it to do better work in science and conservation.

What is Mātauranga Māori? What is Mātauranga Māori? What does it mean to have and use it? Why is it important in science? In a nutshell, Mātauranga Māori can’t be translated or defined in a simple, two-dimensional way: it is multifaceted. There are many aspects to it. From my understanding, Mātauranga Māori not only ...

Dear Nature | RSS.com Podcasting Have you ever wondered where all the lost balloons go when they float away, or how you can become an ancient fossil? Maybe you've always wanted to know if we could live in the clouds or even in the oceans! On 'Dear Nature', we explore this complex universe through our natural human curiosity; asking...

Need a new podcast series to stimulate your brain during these times of COVID? Want to know more about random sciencey topics? You need to listen to some Ologies! See below...

Ologies Episodes — alie ward Listen to Ologies on iTunes, GooglePlay or wherever you get podcasts.

Hey teachers... need something to look forward to in 2022? Apply for our PLD in Dunedin, which runs from 24th-27th January.

Science Teacher PLD Workshops, 24-27 January 2022 – Education Gazette The Science Academy at the University of Otago is running a professional development programme for secondary school science teachers in January 2022. These workshops will cover a broad range of science subject areas. Our aim is to upskill and inspire teachers who are at schools which are rural, prov...

UOPISA (University of Otago Pacific Island Students Association) President Melissa Lama

UOPISA President Melissa Lama

Te Roopu Maori President Karamea Pewhairangi

Te Roopu Maori President Karamea Pewhairangi

Some inspiration about getting vaccinated.... from the President of the Otago University Students Association.

OUSA President Michaela Waite-Harvey

Hi Teachers! See our ad below and for more info, head to our website: https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa/teacher-workshops/index.html

Spring has sprung on our beautiful Dunedin campus!

Year 13's looking to study at the University of Otago next year you will have received an email telling you that your paper selection is now open.

It is important for you to know that this is only due by December 10th, so you have a lot of time.

Your Schools' Liaison Officer will be coming to your school to help you with this. So please wait to see them before you choose your papers. If you have already had a visit from them please contact them if you have any questions about your papers.

If you are not sure who your Schools' Liaison Officer is please check here
https://www.otago.ac.nz/future-students/connect/

Remember there is NO rush to get this done.

For all you biology-minded people out there... here's some interesting findings about kakapo inbreeding... seems they aren't as badly off genetically as you might think.
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/releases/otago832660.html?fbclid=IwAR3xkoXfhbQT7ytVQsHSrcIlPCklMCvdaYHk2gL2XIloZrQ45BzccIlPIac

After 10,000 years of inbreeding, kākāpō are in surprisingly good genetic health Before humans made their way to New Zealand, the critically endangered flightless parrot known as the kākāpō likely numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

Applications for our 2022 student programme have now closed. Thank you to more than 90 students from all over NZ who have applied... this will be a tough selection process. We're excited to see how much interest there is in joining the Science Academy... go, the sciences!

Something for the Science Teachers out there....

Professional Day for STEM Teachers Join us for a day of STEM professional development for secondary teachers, provided by the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Education, Health & Human Development.

Only one week to go! Applications for our 2022 student group close on Wed. 8th Sept 2021. Visit our website for more info and a link to the online application form. You've got to be in to win!

How to apply for Science Academy, Otago University Advanced School Sciences Academy, University of Otago, New Zealand Student registration information for Science Academy at the University of Otago.

Happening this Monday and Tuesday - an awesome opportunity for our Māori and Pacific communities to get their COVID-19 vaccination in a culturally safe and accepting place. If you're unsure about getting your vaccine or or have any questions, that’s fine - the Te Kāika team is available on 0800 847 862 for a friendly kōrero to help with any concerns you might have.

For those of you who are keen, walk up with your bubble on the day to get your vaccine e hoa ma. Let’s show our manaaki and support this awesome cause together, for everyone.

Spring waits for no one! As we all hunker down at home, this beautiful magnolia tree is now in full flower at the university campus. Located between the Clocktower and Geology buildings and planted in 1965. Hopefully there will still be a few flowers left when we get back to the uni.....?

Need to keep your kids or younger siblings busy this lockdown? Check out all the brilliant activities for young and the young at heart on the website below:
https://www.kidsgreeningtaupo.org.nz/activities-nature-connection/nature-bingo?fbclid=IwAR27R0rkCJwZtZVyGUddvf7YXOL3r1wf9JBFt6fkEKCX0W8ZkR0hqbQ_VM8

Nature BINGO — Kids Greening Taupo | Learning Through Nature A BINGO activity board to get children outside connecting to nature and learning through nature play

July Camp 2021.... lucky we managed to have it before Lockdown! Here's a photo montage of some highlights from camp, and a link to our camp report on the Science Academy website.
https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa/current/index.html

Recruitment for 2022 has begun!
https://www.otago.ac.nz/ouassa/apply/index.html