23 August 2006
The Royal New Zealand Navy was one of the main groups thanked at the BIG Science Adventure awards ceremony held recently at Wellington’s Queens Wharf. Organised by the Royal Society and sponsored by the Freemasons of New Zealand, BIG Science Adventures is an annual competition that invites teams of high school students to undertake research with professional scientists. The teams then submit their findings in video form to compete for the ultimate prize - a trip to Antarctica.
Approximately 150 friends and family members congregated to watch the procession of dignitaries and students at Queen’s Wharf. The HMNZS Manawanui, in Wellington for a four day visit, represented the RNZN on the day, piping dignitaries off the vessel while the RNZN brass quintet played classics along the wharf. Guest speakers included MP the Hon Marion Hobbs, who said she was extremely cheered by young people raising the profile of environmental issues.
Sir Edmund Hillary announced the winning team – Wellington High’s Hannah Newport, Josh Barnes and Joe Russell and their teacher Mark Sweeney - via satellite after his plane was delayed by fog. He did arrive later in the day. The six finalists were all highly commended for their work. Teams from Timaru Boys High, Burnside High, Nelson College, Wellington High, Pukekohe High, and Pakuranga College had travelled in June – in some cases in stormy to the Chatham Islands (courtesy of HMNZS Resolution), to White Island and the Central Plateau, the Bay of Islands, Lake Tekapo, Fiordland, and Stephens Island where their host scientists were engaged in scientific research
The panel of judges included Freemason Grandmaster David Mace; Chief Executive at Te Papa Dr Seddon Bennington; and CN Admiral David Ledson. David Mace said the Navy had been a “fantastic help” to the BIG Science Adventure programme, and that putting HMNZS Resolution and HMNZS Manawanui at the teams’ disposal was not a “one-off gesture” but was consistent with the Navy’s support of science and technology over the past 25 years. RA Ledson described the Navy as being "passionate" about the programme and invited all guests to visit the HMNZS Manawanui at the conclusion of the prize-giving.
The six videos can be viewed at www.hotscience.co.nz.
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