Spending two weeks of your summer at a camp titled “Rotary National Science and Technology Forum” sounds like pretty much the nerdiest way you could spend your holidays – and believe me, I am self-aware to that fact. But while my experience at the forum was filled with academic modules, problem-solving, and learning, it was also filled with social activities, a highly competitive volleyball tournament, and a whole heap of fun!
From the 11th to the 25th of January, I took residence with 167 other young people from all across Aotearoa in the University Hall Towers at the University of Auckland. Quickly, I started to call this place home as I experienced a taste of university life. Probably the best part of this experience was getting the chance to meet people from all different walks of life – one of the closest friendships I developed at the forum was with a girl from Ruwai in Northland. At her school, she shared a year level with only four other students – much different than the four hundred people in a year group at Pakuranga College! Getting to know people from such different backgrounds broadened my perspective, and was incredibly valuable.
Social experience aside, the academics of the forum itself were incredibly exciting. I attended 12 different lectures across AUT, the University of Auckland, and Massey University, the courses ranging from Biomedical Engineering to Psychology to Robotics. The disciplines of science and technology varied widely, but I found value and enjoyment in every single one of them. My personal favourite was the Biological Sciences module, in which I dissected a live mussel – robotics was a close second, where I got to ride on a segway!
As well as the twelve academic modules that everyone participated in, I also had the opportunity to choose three technical visits. As an aspiring ecologist, I chose my technical options based on my desired career path. I first visited Living Labs, an AUT environmental science project that is on the land of and supported by local iwi Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei. I also got the opportunity to visit Crown Research Institute Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, and see the real research that is occurring in Aotearoa. A highlight of my trip was visiting the Babbage Geotechnical Laboratory, where I had the opportunity to meet soil scientists, ecologists, and geotechnical engineers. Other members of the forum had the option to visit TVNZ, ESR Forensics, RocketLab, Brain Research Insititute, and many more. All of these trips provided valuable insight into the career paths available in science and technology.
Something important that the forum promoted was balance – I woke up every morning to participate in group exercise, went to volleyball tournaments twice a week, enjoyed a viewing of Shrek at our recreational activities, and enjoyed a healthy dose of a debating competition. I even got the chance to collaborate with other vocalists, and form a choir that performed at our final formal dinner. Through taking part in the forum, I not only learned a lot about science and technology, but also about friendships and confidence, memories and fun.
If you’re currently in Year 12 and considering a career in science, then you can apply to be a part of the 2026 Rotary National Science and Technology Forum towards the end of July/early August. Make sure to keep an eye on the Google Classrooms for your science classes, and don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime!
Cerys Gibby – Year 13
