Tech Bootcamp inspires students
The Paihau—Robinson Research Institute’s Tech Bootcamps open up pathways to STEM careers for Māori and Pasifika students.
“I never knew you could have a career that was all about science, which is very exciting for me!” Student Lucy Voorkamp’s feedback on the Paihau—Robinson Research Institute’s 2022 Tech Bootcamp gets straight to the heart of why this outreach activity is so important, says Bootcamp co-ordinator Tahlia Crabtree.
“Our focus is to provide an experience to inspire rangatahi who are uncertain about their decision to pursue STEM,” she says. “The feedback from students at this camp really showed that we achieved this.”
In mid-January, 14 Year 12 and 13 Māori and Pasifika students from across the country—selected from 38 applicants—gathered in Wellington for hands-on STEM activities at the Robinson, GNS Science, The Measurement Standards Laboratory, and the Ferrier Research Institute.
“The camp is designed to provide a range of hands-on activities, engaging with scientists and engineers and others working in STEM field,” says Tahlia. “This is to give them an idea of where a career could lead, and to build connections, get a taste of university life and spend time with other like-minded Māori and Pasifika students.”
Entrance to the camp is based not on grades, but on teacher recommendations and the students’ keenness to learn more about STEM subjects. “It’s aimed at those who are thinking about science but are not sure where they want to go,” says Tahlia.
“We select those ‘on the edge’ about doing science with the hope of informing their decisions. We also look at the teacher endorsement of their character—are they perhaps shy about going to university? —because we can expose them to what uni will really be like.”
While there was a physics/engineering bias—this year students built self-driving robots—they also had a go at making aspirin in the chemistry laboratories at the Ferrier Research Institute and visited industry professionals at Llama Engineering and Lekkie bikes, where they could see STEM applications beyond pure research. The students lived in at Victoria House to get a taste of hostel life.
Year 13 student Victoria Faafia, from Wellington, said the camp helped her realise there were many careers and future pathways for those studying physics and maths. “I take physics, calculus and digital technology,” she says. “In Year 11 I didn’t take science but had to pick it up when I moved schools. I decided to take physics because I like maths and ended up really enjoying it!
“Before the camp I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study but I knew I liked programming and I could also go down the engineering pathway because I take physics and maths. Through the Tech Bootcamp I was exposed to a variety of future pathways in STEM—most of which I never knew existed!
“I enjoyed everything—being surrounded by an awesome group of people who are passionate about the sciences, all the activities and opportunities we were exposed to throughout the week and gaining advice from people who are doing what I potentially could be doing in the future.
“This was an extremely valuable experience and I highly recommend it to any Māori and Pasifika students taking STEM subjects.”
This was the third Tech Bootcamp that the Paihau—Robinson team has held, and the enthusiastic feedback from participants means it will continue to be an important way of connecting with Māori and Pasifika students.