Young minds to get more science in the classroom

Classrooms in Lower Hutt are to be transformed into laboratories for children to experiment and learn just like working scientists.
 
Hutt City Council-led initiative Hutt Science, which supports young people to engage with science and technology, has been awarded $30,000 from the Unlocking Curious Minds Fund.
 
The funding will be used by Hutt Science for its new project Hands on Hutt Science, which will build on last year’s successful Let’s Get Practical programme. 
 
The project will be run in low decile primary and intermediate schools, where a classroom is turned into a laboratory, enabling children to experiment as working scientists. It will be complemented by afterschool programmes for the students. The focus will be on practical experiments and the chance for children to meet scientists from institutions and companies in the Hutt Valley.
 
Director Anne Ryan says $30,000 is a significant boost for Hutt Science and means it will reach more children with Hands on Hutt Science.
 
“Our goal is to get young people in Lower Hutt from every background to embrace science and technology, meet scientists and consider science as a career - as well as having fun,” she says.
 
“It’s fantastic to have support from the Unlocking Curious Minds Fund and the recognition that Hutt Science is making a difference to young people’s lives.”
 
It is the second year in a row Hutt Science has been awarded funding from the Unlocking Curious Minds Fund. Curious Minds is a government initiative to encourage more engagement with science and technology, including as a career choice.
 
Hands on Hutt Science is one of 44 projects around the country to get Curious Minds funding this year, totalling nearly $2 million.