About Powering Potential
Apply NOW!
Are you a Wellington region-based tauira (student) in Year 11, 12, or 13, with a passion for science, technology, engineering, or social science? Powering Potential is an opportunity for you to develop your skills in this area and learn about potential future careers!
From 2024 onwards, we will be delivering Powering Potential in a new way – traveling to different rohe (regions) around the country. Last year, saw our first locally delivered programme of Powering Potential in Tāmakimakaurau.
We are excited to announce that the next opportunity to be part of Powering Potential will be for tauira in Wellington at Ngā Mokopuna, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington on 9-11 June 2025.
Powering Potential is a 3-day programme designed to connect you with working scientists and researchers, give you the opportunity to develop your skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, and plan for a potential career in research or science.
Powering Potential is for you if:
- you like to learn and problem-solve
- you are creative and enjoy thinking outside of the box
- you can work as part of a team
- you are a good listener and communicator
- you like to be challenged.
Pārongo matua | Key information:
- We are looking for 60 tauira (students) from across the Wellington region in Years 11, 12 or 13 who are keen to power up their potential!
- Tauira must commit to the full 3 days of the programme
- Powering Potential will be hosted at Ngā Mokopuna, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington where participants are encouraged to stay overnight for the duration of the programme. If you’re unable to stay overnight due to certain circumstances, please discuss this with Royal Society Te Apārangi staff
- Supervision and pastoral care will be provided by the Society staff, and local teachers
- All costs including all travel, food, and activities are covered.
Te paearu whakauru | Eligibility criteria:
- You are in year 11, 12 or 13
- You attend a Wellington region-based school (Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, Wairarapa).
Pukatono | Application:
- Complete the application form - online or download in MS Word format to send to us.
- Provide a testimonial from a teacher that outlines your strengths and contributions. This can be emailed by yourself or directly from your teacher to educationteam@royalsociety.org.nz. Applications without a testimonial will not be accepted.
- Applications close on Thursday 1 May at 5pm.
Please note we will only use the information you submit to assess your application for the Powering Potential programme.
Ngā painga | What you will gain from attending Powering Potential
You will:
- Meet and make friends with other like-minded rangatahi.
- Get hands-on with science-related activities and visits.
- Learn more about yourself and the way you think and solve problems.
- Improve your skills such as leadership, communicating, research, planning, and teamwork.
- Meet local scientists and researchers and ask questions about their career pathways, experiences and mahi.
Whāi muri mai | After Powering Potential
Successful applicants are encouraged to give back to their community by sharing their experience and learnings at Powering Potential. The format is entirely up to you, but here are a few examples:
- make a short video to share on our online platforms
- host a talk at your school
- do an activity within your community that relates to your research topic at Powering Potential – perhaps invite your mentor too!
Whakapā mai | Contact us
If you have any pātai (questions), please contact EducationTeam@royalsociety.org.nz.
Learn more about Powering Potential ki Tāmakimakurau 2024