Tag: Science

Flipping the fleet: accelerating electric vehicle uptake using citizen science – Tauranga – 15 October 2018

What

Cafe Scientifique Tauranga is pleased to present Flip the Fleet which is a “citizen science” coalition of EV owners that submit data to a communal database each month to measure the constraints and benefits of electric vehicles in New Zealand conditions (www.flipthefleet.org). This talk first highlights opportunities for EVs to revolutionise our transport and economy. It then examines the strengths and weaknesses of citizen science as a research, education and advocacy tool to encourage sustainability transitions and innovation.

Prof. Henrik Moller is an ecologist who has transitioned to transdisciplinary research, often involving community-led sustainability themes. With Dima Ivanov, a business benchmarking and IT specialist, Henrik co-founded Flip the Fleet in July 2016. It now has over 800 participants (electric vehicle owners) from throughout New Zealand. Dr Monica Peters, a citizen science motivator joined the Flip the Fleet team this year to guide the public outreach and social networking component of the project.

There will be EVs available for test drives at the Yacht Club venue from 6 pm – 7pm and the presentation starts at 7pm.

A chance to drive a variety of EVs and talk to their owners then stay on for the talk.

When and Where

15 October 2018
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM NZDT

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club Inc
90 Keith Allen Drive, Tauranga

How Much

$5 door fee to cover venue and AV costs.
Register on Eventbrite so that we know the number attending.
DO NOT PRINT YOUR TICKET – we only need to know numbers.

More

Café Scientifique Tauranga – Facebook.

Café Scientifique.

Cawthron Scitec Expo 2018 – Nelson – 26 September 2018

What

The Cawthron Science and Technology Fair

Come and view our youngest innovators’ science and technology projects. This year sees students in years 9 – 13 seeking to impress the judges and you will be amazed at the local talent!

All entries will be on public display from 9am until 5pm on 26th September at the Trafalgar Centre. NO NEED TO REGISTER – entry is free and there is no limit on numbers.

Website: cawthronscitec.org.nz

When and Where

26 September 2018
9am to 5pm

Trafalgar Centre,
Paru Paru Road, Nelson.

How Much

Free

More

Website: cawthronscitec.org.nz

Eventbrite listing.

Emily Lakdawalla – Looking For Life In The Solar System – Christchurch – 26 September 2018

What

Looking for Life in the Solar System

An Astronz Public Lecture

Emily will tour the solar system to inform the audience about the variety of different science missions actively exploring our solar system right now, with emphasis on the scientific motivations for their exploration (our origins and the search for life), with lots and lots of pretty pictures. She will share some of the the recent scientific discoveries made. The talk will include some of the latest images from the current missions.

Emily Lakdawalla is an internationally admired science communicator and educator, passionate about advancing public understanding of space and sharing the wonder of scientific discovery. Emily came to The Planetary Society in 2001 to oversee a portion of the Society’s Red Rover Goes to Mars project, an education and public outreach program on the Mars Exploration Rover mission funded by LEGO.

She ran worldwide contests that selected and trained high school students to travel to Pasadena to participate in rover operations training exercises in 2002 and then in actual Mars Exploration Rover mission operations during January and February of 2005.

She was awarded the 2011 Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award from the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society for her blog entry about the Phoebe ring of Saturn. Asteroid 274860 was formally named “Emilylakdawalla” by the International Astronomical Union on July 12, 2014.

She received an honorary doctorate from The Open University in 2017 in recognition of her contributions in communicating space science to the public.

This is a free public lecture on behalf of Astronz, in association with the Canterbury Astronomical Society and the University of Canterbury.

When and Where

7.00 – 8.30pm on 26 September 2018

University of Canterbury,  C1 Lecture Theatre – Arts Road, Ilam, Christchurch.

How Much

Free. Admission by ticket only. Book here.

The Great Kererū Count – Nationwide – 21-30 September 2018

What

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.

When and Where

21-30 September 2018

All over New Zealand

How Much

Free

More

The Great Kererū CountWebsite

2018 Rutherford Lecture: Life and Times of Supervolcanoes – Tauranga – 22 August 2018

What

2018 NZ Rutherford Lecture
The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes

There is no denying that as New Zealand sits astride the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates our land is subject to tremendous natural forces. We may commonly experience this as a gentle but sometimes a severe shuddering of earthquakes. Yet with Aotearoa dotted with cones and calderas, Kiwis should also keep in mind that the Taupō Eruption was actually the world’s most violent volcanic eruption in the last 5000 years!

Colin Wilson has gathered many accolades for studying volcanoes, and in particular, those giant examples known as supervolcanoes. He likens his work to that of a crime scene investigator, where he travels the world piecing together the dual puzzle of why such cataclysmic explosions occur and why they are joined by much smaller eruptions. He aims to forecast volcanic phenomena with enough warning so that communities can respond. But although Colin is digging deep in the Earth’s crust to find the triggering mechanisms, volcanic systems are not letting their secrets go easily…

Royal Society Te Apārangi is proud to partner with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington in presenting the 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture. Strong support from these organisations comes from the belief that New Zealanders will greatly benefit both from learning about and gaining a better awareness of this ‘sleeping’ giant in our midst. From late July to early September, Professor Wilson will head to 22 towns and cities to explain the nature of supervolcanoes, the ways in which such volcanoes operate and can be studied, and whether the next eruption is still likely to take us by surprise.

About the speaker

Professor Colin Wilson FRS FRSNZ, Victoria University of Wellington

In 2017, geologist Professor Colin Wilson was awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi’s highest honour, the Rutherford Medal, for his research into understanding large, explosive supervolcanoes and the dangers they pose. Yet although significant eruptions are still rare, threats from volcanic activity are considered a very serious natural hazard for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.

When and Where

Wednesday 22 August 2018
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Tauranga Yacht and Boat Club
90 Keith Allen Drive, Tauranga,

How Much

Free.
You are welcome to turn up on the day, however, due to their expected popularity, to guarantee your seat(s) please register here.

More

Press release: 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture: It’s a super tour!

The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes | Tauranga.

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.

PechaKucha Night ChCh 37 – Women, Science and Conservation – Christchurch – 19 September 2018

What

PechaKucha Night Christchurch is teaming up with Christchurch City Council to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage and Conservation Week with a night of quick-fire talks by some amazing women!

We are proud to bring you a collection of local women including a marine biologist working with the world’s rarest and smallest dolphins, an adventurer who returned from a 29-day expedition across the Greenland Icecap, a young musician speaking on the power of rest and creativity, an entrepreneur starting a podcast focused on women change-makers, a writer working on a book about women and World II and more.

Line-up include:

María Jesús Valdés Hernández // Marine Biologist // Working with the world’s rarest and smallest dolphins

Amy Johnston Bray // Interpretation and Exhibition Designer // Conversation is about conservation-engaging the public to act

Victoria Metcalf // Scientist // Celebrating the unlovable and the unseen

Jo Bailey // Writer, Author and Editor // Writing, Women and World II

Rebecca(Bek) Tavete// Founder ARGO beach Co-working Limited // A Contribution to Sustainability

Hollie Woodhouse // Adventurer, Designer + Daydreamer // Be your own Movement Maker and more.

When and Where

Wednesday 19 September 2018
Doors open 6:30pm, event starts 7:30pm
(Ilex café open for drinks and snacks)

Botanic Garden’s Visitor Centre
Rolleston Ave, Christchurch

How Much

$18

More

Event on pechakucha.org
Event on Eventfinda

Week of Engineering: Open Day! – Akl, Wel, Chch – 18 August 2018

What

Get involved with the Week of Engineering!

Tomorrow’s engineers will have jobs that don’t even exist today. The Week of Engineering is an annual event that will inspire young minds to think about those future possibilities. From 13-18 August, Engineering New Zealand will be hosting a variety of events that showcase amazing engineering across the country, feeding children’s natural curiosity about the world and how it works.

Engineering Expos:

As part of the Week of Engineering, there will be three free public expos in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Over 70 exhibitors from around the country will give visitors a hands-on look at what engineers do – perfect for kids and anyone who wants an inside look at how things work. There’ll be virtual reality, robots, rockets and lego, along with interactive activities, competitions and spot prizes.

Last year more than 5,000 people attended the expos and this year Engineering New Zealand are expecting 10,000 people.

Come along and get inspired!

When and Where

10am – 4pm
Saturday 18 August 2018

University of Auckland Science Centre
23 Symonds St, Auckland

Shed 6
4 Queens Wharf, Wellington

Canterbury University’s College of Engineering
69 Creyke Street, Christchurch

How Much

Free

More

Week of Engineering: Engineering Expos
Eventfinda pages: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch

Robots Under Antarctica’s Ice..and One Day in Space? – Dunedin – 21 August 2018

What

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.

When and Where

5:30pm
Tuesday 21 August 2018

Hutton Theatre
Otago Museum
419 Great King St
Dunedin

How Much

Free

More

Talk page at Otago Museum website
Eventfinda Page

2018 Rutherford Lecture: Life and Times of Supervolcanoes – Dunedin – 26 July 2018

What

2018 NZ Rutherford Lecture
The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes

There is no denying that as New Zealand sits astride the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates our land is subject to tremendous natural forces. We may commonly experience this as a gentle but sometimes a severe shuddering of earthquakes. Yet with Aotearoa dotted with cones and calderas, Kiwis should also keep in mind that the Taupō Eruption was actually the world’s most violent volcanic eruption in the last 5000 years!

Colin Wilson has gathered many accolades for studying volcanoes, and in particular, those giant examples known as supervolcanoes. He likens his work to that of a crime scene investigator, where he travels the world piecing together the dual puzzle of why such cataclysmic explosions occur and why they are joined by much smaller eruptions. He aims to forecast volcanic phenomena with enough warning so that communities can respond. But although Colin is digging deep in the Earth’s crust to find the triggering mechanisms, volcanic systems are not letting their secrets go easily…

Royal Society Te Apārangi is proud to partner with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington in presenting the 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture. Strong support from these organisations comes from the belief that New Zealanders will greatly benefit both from learning about and gaining a better awareness of this ‘sleeping’ giant in our midst. From late July to early September, Professor Wilson will head to 22 towns and cities to explain the nature of supervolcanoes, the ways in which such volcanoes operate and can be studied, and whether the next eruption is still likely to take us by surprise.

About the speaker

Professor Colin Wilson FRS FRSNZ, Victoria University of Wellington

In 2017, geologist Professor Colin Wilson was awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi’s highest honour, the Rutherford Medal, for his research into understanding large, explosive supervolcanoes and the dangers they pose. Yet although significant eruptions are still rare, threats from volcanic activity are considered a very serious natural hazard for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.

When and Where

Thursday 26 July, 2018
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Otago Museum Hutton Theatre 416 Great King Street, Dunedin, Otago 9016

How Much

Free.
You are welcome to turn up on the day, however, due to their expected popularity, to guarantee your seat(s) please register here.

More

Press release: 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture: It’s a super tour!

The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes | Dunedin

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.

2018 Rutherford Lecture: Life and Times of Supervolcanoes – Invercargill – 25 July 2018

What

2018 NZ Rutherford Lecture
The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes

There is no denying that as New Zealand sits astride the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates our land is subject to tremendous natural forces. We may commonly experience this as a gentle but sometimes a severe shuddering of earthquakes. Yet with Aotearoa dotted with cones and calderas, Kiwis should also keep in mind that the Taupō Eruption was actually the world’s most violent volcanic eruption in the last 5000 years!

Colin Wilson has gathered many accolades for studying volcanoes, and in particular, those giant examples known as supervolcanoes. He likens his work to that of a crime scene investigator, where he travels the world piecing together the dual puzzle of why such cataclysmic explosions occur and why they are joined by much smaller eruptions. He aims to forecast volcanic phenomena with enough warning so that communities can respond. But although Colin is digging deep in the Earth’s crust to find the triggering mechanisms, volcanic systems are not letting their secrets go easily…

Royal Society Te Apārangi is proud to partner with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington in presenting the 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture. Strong support from these organisations comes from the belief that New Zealanders will greatly benefit both from learning about and gaining a better awareness of this ‘sleeping’ giant in our midst. From late July to early September, Professor Wilson will head to 22 towns and cities to explain the nature of supervolcanoes, the ways in which such volcanoes operate and can be studied, and whether the next eruption is still likely to take us by surprise.

About the speaker

Professor Colin Wilson FRS FRSNZ, Victoria University of Wellington

In 2017, geologist Professor Colin Wilson was awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi’s highest honour, the Rutherford Medal, for his research into understanding large, explosive supervolcanoes and the dangers they pose. Yet although significant eruptions are still rare, threats from volcanic activity are considered a very serious natural hazard for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.

When and Where

Wednesday 25 July, 2018
6:00pm – 7:00pm

SIT Centrestage Theatre, 33 Don Street, Invercargill, Southland 9810

How Much

Free.
You are welcome to turn up on the day, however, due to their expected popularity, to guarantee your seat(s) please register here.

More

Press release: 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture: It’s a super tour!

The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes | Invercargill

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture is proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington.