A group of scientists is taking stargazing, blowing stuff up and exploring the bizarre world of quantum physics to the Chatham Islands.
With only 600 residents, the Chatham Islands' three schools only go up to year eight and have very little access to scientific equipment, demonstrations and new science insights.
Amadeo and his Chatham scientists. Photo: Supplied
So a group of science communicators have arrived to spark the children's interest in science, technology, engineering and maths and encourage more to pursue science when they go to secondary school on the mainland.
The trip is being organised by the Otago Museum and the Dodd Walls Centre.
Amadeo Enriquez Ballestero is the founder of fun science and is the discovery world coordinator at Otago Museum. He is there to perform The Greatest Science Show Ever in the History of the Chathams/World.
Amadeo says he's been impressed with the level of engagement by the students.
"I knew that coming here would be a first and so they won’t have seen things that we’re doing, what I didn’t know is the students here have an incredible level of science. The questions they ask, the way they are engaging with what we have brought is amazing.
"There are some great scientists in the making."
He says visiting the Chathams is part of a science outreach programme.
Being entertained by mad scientist - Amadeo. Photo: Supplied
"At the Otago Museum we’ve been focussing getting to rural communities, we’ve done quite a lot of rural outreach well it doesn’t get more rural or more outreach than coming to the Chathams.
"We want to reach schools that don’t have as much resources and can’t come to the Otago Museum.
"This is the start of something that can carry on, the kids will get into science and hopefully come back with onto the Chathams to make everyone’s life better here."
