Groups of senior high school students have been experiencing life in the lab as part of the University's Hands-On Science programme this week.
Hands-On Science is a live-in summer science school for students going in to years 12 and 13 who demonstrate a strong interest and potential to excel in science. The goals are to demonstrate, in a friendly and interactive environment, some of the activities that scientists are involved in and to encourage talented young New Zealanders to consider science as a career.
Each morning the students conducts a research project based in one university department. During the afternoons, they participate in a 'Science Snack' programme where they are able to get a taste of a variety of other science activities, both on and off campus. In the microbiology labs, students had a go at growing and identifying mouth and skin bacteria and were taken on a guided tour of the department.
This year places in the programme were highly sought-after, with 540 applications from around the country for the 240 spaces available.
