Join astronomers Alan Gilmore and Pamela Kilmartin with DOC Ranger Tanya to learn what we can see in our night sky!
Alan and Pam join us from Canterbury where they have worked in the Mt John Observatory discovering comets, asteroids, and minor planets.
Bring a head torch for the return walk and a mug for hot chocolate.
7:30pm – 9pm
Saturday 30 March 2019
Hawea Swing Bridge,
Albert Town,
Wanaka
Central Otago
Gold coin donation.
The Great Kererū Count is NZ’s biggest citizen science project to help gather information on the abundance and distribution of the New Zealand pigeon — also known as kererū, kūkū or kūkupa.
Everyone in New Zealand can get involved with the Great Kererū Count, whether you see any kererū or not, sharing your observations with us will help build up a clearer picture of where the kererū live, how many there are and what they are feeding on.
The humble kererū is one of New Zealand’s most valuable assets when it comes to our native forests. Long before humans came to this country, kererū have been undertaking the largest plant restoration project the country has ever seen. Kererū are the only bird left in New Zealand that are able to swallow and disperse the seeds from our largest native trees such as tawa, taraire, pūriri and matai. Kererū can live for 21+ years and are essential for native bush regeneration. Their disappearance would be a disaster for our native forests.
This year we have 3 Options available with multiple ways to make your kererū observations – Computer, Laptops, Tablets and Smart Phones are all ways you can get your observations into us.
21-30 September 2018
All over New Zealand
Free
Robotic Vehicles Under Antarctica’s Ice… and One Day in Space?
In 2021 NASA will launch the Europa Clipper mission to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa. One of the most enticing targets in the search for life beyond Earth, Europa’s icy outer shell hides a global ocean, powered by immense tides. If its interior is active today, this ocean may provide the energy to help sustain a biosphere.
In this talk Dr Britney Schmidt from the Georgia Institute of Technology will outline how researchers are using the autonomous underwater vehicle Icefin, to explore the harsh environments beneath the Antarctic ice shelves as a test bed for developing vehicles that may one day explore below the surface of Europa.
Come and hear about our own cosmic backyard. In partnership with the University of Otago and Antarctica New Zealand, learn about the exciting Ross Ice Shelf Programme and how it’s using this new robotic capability to better understand both climate and planetary science.
5:30pm
Tuesday 21 August 2018
Hutton Theatre
Otago Museum
419 Great King St
Dunedin
Free
We are a group of people interested in software development, learning and getting together. The group consists of members of the local IT development and educational community.
The August meeting will be held at the Polytech and we currently have two speakers lined up:
Matt Kraemer: A crash course introduction to machine learning
Matt works with AI and machine learning on a day to day basis and is going to introduce some of the tools and techniques to the group. There has been a lot of interest in these topics within the group so please let anyone you think may be interested know about Matt’s talk.
Thomi Richards: Zapier: What we do, what I do specifically, and how we hire people. Thomi has recently moved virtual companies… something I think is only going to become more common in the IT field and it will be interesting to hear from him on his experiences working for a completely remote organisation.
5:30pm to 7pm
Tuesday 7 August 2018
D102
D Block
Otago Polytechnic
Forth Street
Dunedin
Free
What
The New Zealand International Science Festival is here with over 230 events, 24 venues and over 20 national and international guests heading to Dunedin to celebrate all things science
“We’re extremely excited to be bringing some of the world’s top experts in a range of fields to Dunedin to take part in this year’s Festival,” says New Zealand International Science Festival Director Dan Hendra. “We’ll be offering Festival goers a diverse, fun-fuelled, inspiring lineup of events – from hands-on workshops for kids and families to talks and seminars aimed at sharing the very latest from the world of science. This is your opportunity to ‘go beyond’, build knowledge and have a whole lot of fun.”
When and Where
6-15 July 2018
Various venues around Dunedin
How Much
Various. Many events are free
More
What
This inaugural Dunedin Open Data Meetup will set the scene of where we are at with open data, in the process working on answering the following questions:
Networking and nibbles:
This is also a great opportunity to establish connections and grow your networks over some tasty snacks and refreshments. This will be hosted off the back of Data Visulisation Training Session 1 for those that are also registered for this event.
Keep an eye out on our Twitter @opendatanz for more information on joining this event.
When and Where
6pm – 7:30pm
Monday June 18 2018
Computer Science Department,
Owheo Building
133 Union Street East
Dunedin
How Much
Free
More
What
The Premier and longest running Steampunk event of the Southern Hemisphere is based in the New Zealand Steampunk capital; Oamaru
The annual Steampunk NZ Festival is a four-day celebration with vaudeville, music, and markets, food, splendid teapot racing, airships, tea duelling, and much more madness. A highlight is the fashion show at the elegant Oamaru Opera House – “Moments in Time”, a series of short theatre pieces that tell of futures as they might have been. The weekend closes in style with a magnificent Gala Ball.
Arrive in costume, or just enjoy the fabulous clothes, hats, goggles, sci-fi accessories and inventions. Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct is the perfect backdrop for this quirky celebration, the longest-running Steampunk event in the Southern Hemisphere.
When and Where
Loan and Merc, 14 Harbour St, Oamaru, North Otago
Thusday 31st May – Sunday 3rd June
How Much
$279 for passport to all events
Various for individual events
More
What
The Dunedin Model Train Show this year is being held at our new venue, the Taieri Bowling Club at 12 Wickliffe Street, Mosgiel for a day’s entertainment where there will be a number of layouts on display filling the venue.
Entry fees are below, unless the child is so small we can’t see them over the entry table!
There will be more LEGO this year, and a double Thomas the Tank Engine layouts that children of all ages can play/operate.
The show also has a number of traders with model railway items for sale that you have the opportunity to purchase, along with raffle tickets.
Where and When
Taieri Bowling Club, 12 Wickliffe Street, Mosgiel, Dunedin, Otago
Sat 12 May 9:30am – 4:30pm
Sun 13 May 9:30am – 4:00pm
How Much
Adults $8
Children under 14: $1
Family – Two Adults and up to three children: $15.00
More
What
Short updates focused on makerspaces in schools, libraries and the community. Experts in each field will give a summary of what is happening now and in the foreseeable future in their respective areas, followed by a round of lightning pitches by groups in the Maker community.
When and Where
Monday 21 May 2018 6pm-8pm
Dunedin (location to be confirmed)
How much
$10
More
Event Page
Part of TechWeek 2018
