Auckland kids become scientists for a day

More than 450 Auckland primary students will become scientists for the day in the University’s School of Chemical Sciences. Seven schools are taking part over three days from 19 to 21 November.

The children, aged between 6 and 12, will carry out hands-on, safe and colourful experiments under the supervision of scientists from the University.

Locally organised in partnership with chemical company BASF, the programme provides primary school children from a range of deciles with the opportunity to explore the wonders of chemistry in daily life.

The children will experiment with:

• Super Absorber – super absorber polymers demonstrate that some chemicals are able to hold several times their weight in water
• Insta Worms – instant thermochromic worms allows kids to observe the relationship between heat and thermochromic dye and how polymers are formed
• Recycling Dirty Water – different methods of separation are used to remove impurities from wastewater
• Colours in Nature – kids learn how colour from vegetables, fruits, or flowers can be extracted, and that this natural colour changes easily with variations in acidic or basic level

The schools attending the session are:

• Farm Cove Intermediate School
• Massey Primary School
• Pakuranga Heights School
• Peninsula Primary School
• Stonefields School
• Henderson Primary School
• Kadimah School

Dr Peter Swedlund, who co-presents the annual event with laboratory manager Katrina Graaf, says there is a budding scientist in every child.

“Engaging students with relevant science experiments opens their eyes that science relates to everyone and can be the start of a lifelong passion,” he says.