Course Overview
What if you could dive into the nanoworld, from your own home? How about doing real science from your bedroom? What if we could turn New Zealand into a huge science lab? BIG SCIENCE! - Using your home as a nation-wide lab will engage curious minds throughout New Zealand to undertake country-wide, collaborative research with local and global impact, while emphasizing the importance of scientific collaboration and the value of local communities in scientific activities.
Who is it for?
Learners in years 6-10 or ages 10-15. This is a guide only. We can consider on a case by case basis.
Cost: There is no cost to this course. It is funded by Curious Minds.
What is Big Science?
Big Science is a year long, flexible project that enables children from all over New Zealand to engage in hands on science.
Various scientific studies will be pursued throughout the programme, such as measuring the curvature and rotation of the Earth, exploring the solar system, measuring stars, investigating fundamental principles in physics, exploring the nano-world, producing air, water and sound pollution maps across New Zealand, studying the evolution of clouds, rain and temperature across the country, and mapping animal and plant species and cycles, among others.
Each experiment will have a scientist responsible for delivering video conferences with participants, overlooking the data collected and defining the appropriate approach for the online data analysis and reporting. The scientist responsible for each experiment will have the support of a knowledgeable team of collaborators, including fellow researchers and postgraduate students, to assist with the task.
We will design and produce mail-in kits including materials and instructions for running specific experiments and we will encourage participants to construct their own lab equipment based on DIY video instructions using our kits and easily available materials.
Tags covered include
The Teacher
Rodrigo Martinez Gazoni
0Students 3 Courses
Dr.Rodrigo Martinez Gazoni is a physicist who, in addition to his research and teaching, loves bringing the amazing world of science out of the lab and closer to the community. His curious nature has led him to work in a wide variety of areas: from investigating the neuroplasticity of the brain, to developing materials for outer-space spacecraft, studying superconuctivity properties in advanced materials, and much more! His passion for sharing the amazing world of science extends beyond the lab. Rodrigo regularly participated in outreach events and workshops, and he has developed real- and the virtual- content that let kids and adults dive into the depths of the nanoworld or jump to the immensity of the galaxy. His current research role as a research fellow at the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury and as a member of the MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology involves the study of nanostructured materials with extraordinary properties that make them ideal for environmental and clean energy applications.
Course Details
Learning Exchange
1.00 placement
OR Cost
$0.00
