Students off to meet Nobel Laureates in Malaysia

The Asian Science Camp is the brain-child of two Nobel Laureates, Professor Yuan-Tseh Lee from Taiwan, who is the 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, and Professor Masatoba from Japan, the 2002 Nobel Laureate in Physics.  Professor Lee will be one of the key speakers at the Camp as well as Professor Ada. E. Yonath, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2009 and Professor Sir Richard Roberts, Nobel Laureate in Physiology, 1993.  Many other distinguished scientists will be speaking also. 

 “This is a great opportunity for talented young New Zealanders to interact with experts at the top of their fields in science,” says Andrew Cleland, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

More than 25 countries will participate, involving over 250 talented secondary school students who have a passion for science. During the week the students will attend plenary lectures by scientists who will talk about their particular science interest. The students will also contribute to panel discussions and will work in teams with other students to prepare a scientific poster.

After the Asian Science Camp has finished, the New Zealand students and teacher will spend three days in Kuala Lumpur to take in some of the sights which will include the National Science Centre and the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.

The Talented School Students Travel Award, managed by Royal Society Te Apārangi and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, will fund 70% of the student’s travel costs and the registration.  

The students and teacher selected to attend are:

Jonathan Chan, Auckland Grammar School

Neakiry Kivi, Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Wellington

Ben Watts, Nelson College

Alexandra McCracken, Kaiapoi High School, Christchurch 

Liam Hewson, King’s High School, Dunedin 

Janelle Eason (teacher), Northern Southland College, Lumsden