the royal society of new zealand

PROFILING EXCELLENCE

www.royalsociety.org.nz HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2010

Hu-tia te rito If you were to pluck out o te harakeke, the centre of the fl ax bush, kei hea te ko-mako e ko-? where would the bellbird sing? Kı- mai nei ki ahau. If you were to ask me He aha te mea nui “What is the most important ki te-nei ao? thing in the world?” Ma-ku e kı- atu. I would reply, He tangata, “That it is people, he tangata, people, people.” he tangata. PROFILING EXCELLENCE

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Welcome to Profi ling Excellence for We believe targeted research funding 2010. We are very pleased to present this and scholarships for individuals is vital to publication highlighting the key activities ensure New Zealand’s research in science, of the Royal Society of New Zealand technology and the humanities continues during 2010. to remain internationally competitive and relevant. The stories we have chosen to showcase here provide a snapshot of the broad scope It has also been heartening to see the of our activities. successes of young New Zealanders involved in our student programmes Our theme for the year was ‘knowledge and as they aspire to understand and gain new the mind’, in keeping with 2010 being the knowledge. These students are tomorrow’s fi rst year of the Humanities’ inclusion in our leaders and their enthusiasm is infectious. academy. In particular, we celebrated this It has once again been our privilege through our public lectures, including the to help them on their path to success. establishment of the new Aronui Lecture Series with Baroness Onora O’Neill as our Finally, our sincere thanks to our many inaugural lecturer. supporters and sponsors who continue to make our work possible – government, 2010 featured several other new initiatives Fellows, Companions, members and, for the Royal Society of New Zealand – of course, our dedicated staff. the Rutherford Discovery Fellowships were awarded for the fi rst time with 10 very deserving recipients; the new Jones Medal for a lifetime of mathematics achievement was awarded to Professor Emeritus John Butcher; and the spotlight shone Dr Garth Carnaby MNZM FRSNZ on New Zealand science through a new President television series called ‘Ever Wondered?’ It has been our privilege to recognise and support the outstanding contributions of New Zealand researchers. The high calibre of applicants and nominations for funding and awards has been heartening and Dr Di McCarthy ONZM refl ects the quality of New Zealand Chief Executive researchers and their work.

01 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

BRAINWAVES

At the beginning of 2010, the Royal Society of New Zealand expanded the scope of its academy to include the humanities, together with science and technology. Widening our view of the meaning of knowledge, Aronui, was refl ected in our public programmes.

02 From left: Dr Donna Rose Addis, ‘Talking Heads’ lecturer • Professor Richard Faull • Baroness Onora O’Neill Background image: MRI scan of the brain

The mysteries inside our heads In 2010 the judge was Dave Armstrong, successful screen and stage writer and The ‘Talking Heads’ lecture series in science communicator. 2010 was a partnership between the Royal Society of New Zealand and The fi ction category was won by Isobel Radio New Zealand. Recorded with live Gabites with her piece ‘Heaven in the audiences around the country and broadcast Mind’. “It was Milton who taught me in October/November 2010, the lectures to watch, watch very closely the speck were delivered by some of New Zealand’s of dust that tries to settle in the sun’s rays. most distinguished experts on brain It is trapped but it is a thing of beauty. and behaviour. They explored the A thing which transcends loneliness and mysteries inside our heads – who we are, takes all day to do it.” how we learn to talk and make memories, The non-fi ction category was won by and why we act badly and things go wrong. poet and fi ction writer Alice Miller for her Prestigious new lecture series essay entitled ‘Dark Energy Beyond the Reception Rooms’. “Our emotional To stimulate cross-disciplinary debate brains, whether we consider them about the dynamic transfer of knowledge horses or elephants or Siberian tigers, within a social and cultural context, are unpredictable creatures. Emotions can we have established a new prestigious lead us closer to truth – but, as we probably lecture series. The inaugural speaker of all know too well, they can also wrench the New Zealand Aronui Lecture Series us into idiocy.” was Baroness Onora O’Neill of Cambridge University, past president of the British An original thought Academy and chair of the Nuffi eld Professor Richard Faull FRSNZ, leading Foundation. Baroness O’Neill is well- world expert on neurogenesis and brain known for the outstanding contribution she disease, was invited to tour New Zealand in has made to philosophy and her analyses September/October as the 2010 Royal of ethical issues in science. She visited Society of New Zealand Distinguished New Zealand in September 2010 and Speaker. Some years ago Professor Faull delivered lectures on ‘Two Cultures Fifty made the startling discovery that, contrary Years On’, ‘Grasping Freedom of Speech’, to popular dogma, the adult human brain and ‘Perverting Trust’. contains stem cells and has the capacity Writing on the mind to repair itself throughout life. Professor Faull’s enthusiasm to bring researchers, The mind is its own place, and in itself clinicians and the community together can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n in his pursuit of understanding the human (Milton, 1667) brain made him a compelling speaker. The annual short story competition, the Manhire Prize in Creative Science Writing, is organised in association with the New Zealand Listener magazine and the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.

03 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

ACHIEVEMENTS HONOURED

Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand is an honour given for distinction in research, or in the advancement of science, technology or the humanities. It is awarded to New Zealand’s most eminent researchers.

04 From left: Professor Margaret Brimble • Professor Lianne Woodward • Associate Professor Parry Guilford

Fellows of the Royal Society of New Research fellowships awarded Professor Peter Lockhart FRSNZ from Zealand are eminent researchers who Massey University is researching the James Cook Research Fellowships are regularly receive recognition and awards, adaptation of New Zealand fl ora. Predicting awarded to researchers who have achieved both nationally and internationally, for their the evolutionary response of biota to national and international recognition in work. For example in 2010: environmental change is one of the their fi eld. The Fellowships allow them to outstanding challenges of our time. It Professor Margaret Brimble MNZM concentrate fully on their chosen research requires an understanding of the constraints FRSNZ from The University of Auckland for two years. A small number of these of evolution operating at the levels of was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry prestigious Fellowships are awarded annually. species-environment interactions, genetic Natural Products Award for outstanding Associate Professor Parry Guilford from plasticity and adaptation. Professor contributions to the synthesis of biologically the University of Otago is researching the Lockhart’s work programme uses high active natural products, their derivatives epigenetic approaches to cancer prevention throughput DNA and mRNA sequencing, and analogues. She was presented with the and therapy. The programme aims to automated analyses of gene function, and medal at a symposium at Trinity College develop new strategies to characterise studies of environmental variation to Dublin and subsequently delivered the and treat the very earliest stages of cancer. identify alpine plant adaptations and the Simonsen Lecture at universities in the Many very early cancers have undergone genetic determinants of these. United Kingdom. changes to their genetic structure that Professor Mike Steel FRSNZ from the The prestigious Günther Laukien Prize for can potentially be reversed using carefully University of Canterbury is researching Magnetic Resonance for 2010 was awarded selected drugs. Professor Guilford’s the mathematical foundations for inferring to Professor Sir Paul Callaghan GNZM initial goal is to develop a chemoprevention large evolutionary trees. Statistical methods FRS FRSNZ of the MacDiarmid Institute strategy to reverse or prevent the early have revolutionised modern biology as they for his work on magnetic resonance. stages of stomach cancer, leading to clinical have allowed biologists to reconstruct large Nobel Laureate Richard Ernst, who chaired trials for people at greatest risk of this disease. portions of the ‘tree of life’. However, the award committee, praised Sir Paul’s Early intervention provides the greatest the mathematical properties of these new ground-breaking work with radio waves opportunity to achieve a cost-effective statistical methods are poorly understood to detect the motion of molecules. It has decrease in New Zealand’s cancer burden. for certain important evolutionary questions. already helped improve MRI brain scans. Professor Lianne Woodward from the For example, there is no good estimate Airlines around the world will benefi t from University of Canterbury is researching of how much data is needed to infer an the work of Professor Philippa Gander the neural and social pathways leading evolutionary tree accurately for a large set FRSNZ of Massey University. She has been to neurodevelopmental risk. Each year of species using Maximum Likelihood. This invited by the International Air Transport in New Zealand more than 500 premature project will apply new mathematical Association to write industry manuals babies survive weighing less than 1500 methods to address fundamental questions to help airlines implement fatigue risk grams. Research shows they are at high risk concerning the inference of trees using management systems that adhere to new of neurodevelopmental problems including modern statistical methods. international regulations. Professor Gander cerebral palsy, learning diffi culties and is director of the Sleep/Wake Research attention-defi cit hyperactivity disorder. Centre, which specialises in research into A longitudinal study of 106 premature- the sleep and waking function as it applies born children and 106 comparison children to our everyday activities. has been examining the nature and causes of these problems. Findings have revealed abnormalities in the brain’s developing white matter. The next study wave aims to understand the effects of these early abnormalities on brain development and function, and whether opportunities exist for change or repair in the developing brain. 05 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

CELEBRATING KNOWLEDGE

From left: Professor Warren Tate, Rutherford Background image: The Jones Medal design Medal winner • Professor Frank Griffi n, includes binary expansions of mathematically Pickering Medal winner • Professor Emeritus fundamental numbers, the nautilus shell being John Butcher, Jones Medal winner a natural object which fi ts the ‘golden ratio’, • Mr Shaun Coffey, Thomson Medal winner and circles representing hyperbolic geometry.

The Royal Society of New Zealand hosts an annual Research Honours event to recognise and celebrate the work of some of New Zealand’s top researchers, scientists and technologists through medals and awards.

06 Prestigious Rutherford Medal Mr Shaun Coffey has led and managed The medal recognises lifetime achievement several signifi cant organisations in the in mathematics and was awarded to Professor New Zealand’s highest science and last decade. He has been chief executive Butcher for his exceptional work on technology honour, the Rutherford Medal, of Industrial Research Limited since 2006 numerical methods for solving differential was awarded to internationally renowned and reversed the negative fortunes of the equations, and for leadership in developing molecular biologist Professor Warren Tate organisation, expanding its technology mathematical sciences in New Zealand. FRSNZ from the University of Otago for transfer and commercialisation activities, The new medal was presented by the his outstanding achievements in molecular managing the establishment and rebidding person after whom the medal is named, biology and molecular neuroscience. of many science projects and gaining New Zealander Professor Sir Vaughan Together with the medal awarded by the a reputation as both a natural and Jones Hon. FRSNZ, a world-renowned Royal Society of New Zealand, he also inspirational leader. mathematician. received $100,000 from the Government presented by Hon. Dr Wayne Mapp, Achievement in technology Professor Butcher is regarded as the Minister of Science and Innovation. founder of the modern theory of Runge- The top award for achievement in Kutta methods, one of the principal classes Professor Tate has had a stellar career technology, the Pickering Medal, of numerical methods for solving ordinary with ground-breaking discoveries in and $15,000 from the Royal Society of differential equations. His methods are understanding fundamental elements New Zealand, was awarded to Professor used in computer simulations that have of cell biology. His work has made Frank Griffi n from the University of Otago. become a fundamental scientifi c tool a huge contribution to health research For three decades Professor Griffi n has led in computational physics, chemistry, with potential applications for preventing a research team devoted to solving animal biology and engineering. and treating HIV-1 and neurological health problems in the deer industry. diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Social science research rewarded This award recognises the diagnostic tests His work has revolutionised our and vaccine developed by Professor Frank The Dame Joan Metge Medal for social understanding of how proteins are Griffi n and his team for the detection and sciences was awarded to two recipients – synthesised in living cells. This has had prevention of the three major bacterial Professor Richard Bedford FRSNZ of AUT important implications for research looking diseases affecting New Zealand deer, University and the University of Waikato, at how proteins contribute to memory Tuberculosis, Yersiniosis and Johne’s and Professor Richie Poulton FRSNZ formation and neurological disease. disease. These products and services are of the Dunedin School of Medicine In very recent studies Professor Tate and estimated to have saved the deer industry at the University of Otago. his students have begun to investigate a conservative $80-$90 million worth Professor Bedford has been an infl uential the molecular biology underlying chronic of production that would otherwise have fi gure in the development of social sciences fatigue syndrome. Professor Tate’s been lost to these diseases. Professor Griffi n over a long period, and has made major exceptional contributions extend well is widely sought after internationally for contributions to new knowledge in the beyond the laboratory, with his teaching his advice on livestock diseases and their fi eld of migration, particularly in the Asia- having inspired countless budding control and is very highly regarded by Pacifi c region. researchers. the deer industry in New Zealand. Professor Poulton is well known for his Generating wealth for New Zealand New mathematics medal work as director of the University of Otago The Thomson Medal was awarded to The fi rst recipient of a new award longitudinal study which is following Mr Shaun Coffey CRSNZ, chief executive established this year, the Jones Medal, the health and development of more than of Industrial Research Limited, for his was Professor Emeritus John Butcher 1000 babies born in Dunedin in 1972/73, outstanding leadership in the management FRSNZ of The University of Auckland. providing substantial contributions to of science, and development and new knowledge. application of science and technology to generate wealth for New Zealand. He received $15,000 from the Royal Society of New Zealand. 07 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH

The Royal Society of New Zealand administers the Marsden Fund on behalf of the Marsden Fund Council. This is New Zealand’s prestigious research fund covering the physical and life sciences, mathematics, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

08 From left: Associate Professor Alistair Steyn-Ross Background image: Brain tissue, with dark blue and Professor Moira Steyn-Ross, University of stain indicating areas of interaction with AMH Waikato • Dr Martin Reyners, GNS Science • Brain scan

Here are some examples of Marsden- Based on studies in the southern North Male hormones and maturity funded research. Island, the model suggests that plate AMH is a key hormone in the development coupling is controlled by the ability of fl uid Brain action of the reproductive organs of men. to cross between the plates. Where an Associate Professor Ian McLennan and An intriguing feature of your brain is that it impermeable rock type in the overlying Dr Kyoko Koishi from the University of ‘lights up’ in different places at the same time, plate prevents such fl uid fl ow, plate coupling Otago wondered why this hormone persisted for example, when you are remembering appears to be strong. Where fl uid can pass once gender had been established. In 2005 where you left your jacket. Scientists track relatively freely across the plate interface, they made the surprising discovery that this with magnetic resonance imaging and plate coupling appears to be weak. AMH also acts on the brain. In following can show that a crucial region for memory An implication of the model is that when this up, they found that AMH levels affect is the seahorse-shaped hippocampus, plates unlock, fl uid should migrate from how much male mice explore their which integrates the information from the lower plate to the overlying plate. environment, with lower levels promoting around the brain. Dr Reyners and his team are now investigating the less extensive exploration typical of Dr Donna Rose Addis and her team whether this happened after the magnitude female mice. Boys have high levels of from The University of Auckland 7.8 Dusky Sound earthquake, which AMH but little testosterone. Is the are investigating a recent idea that the unlocked the plates in Fiordland in 2009. behaviour of boys also driven by AMH? brain uses memory to imagine the future. A bob each way Teaming up with Dr Kirstie Morgan, Already, they have shown that hippocampal Associate Professor Ted Ruffman and activity during future event simulation All of us hedge our bets, perhaps recording Professor David Bilkey, unexpectedly they is quite different for those events that are telephone numbers in a notebook as well have found that high levels of AMH may successfully encoded, relative to those as on our phone. Nature adopts the same retard a male’s rate of growth. This raises that are later forgotten. sophisticated strategy, one which biologists profound new questions. Why do the thought would take millions of years Professor Moira Steyn-Ross and Associate testes secrete a hormone to slow male to evolve. Professor Alistair Steyn-Ross and their development, when being mature has so team at the University of Waikato are Professor Paul Rainey FRSNZ and his many advantages? Is it a mechanism to investigating the physical mechanism by team at Massey University have caused prevent boys from outstripping the capacity which separate regions of the brain light up. a surprise by actually observing the real- of their parents to provide energy and They are modelling the waves that drive time evolution of this strategy. By exposing nutrients? Is it also the reason why boys’ this type of brain activity, homing in on bacterial populations to ever-changing brains are less emotionally and cognitively the electrical activity as the main driver. conditions, they observed types emerging mature than girls of the same age? that had evolved the capacity to switch These are fascinating results with How do tectonic plates lock together? randomly but frequently between two implications for health and wellbeing. Determining how and why tectonic different states. Professor Rainey and his plates lock together is of great interest team deconstructed the genetic details and to seismologists worldwide, because were able to show that this ‘bet hedging’ when plates unlock they produce large strategy facilitates survival in an uncertain earthquakes. Dr Martin Reyners FRSNZ world. They suggested that risk-spreading and his team from GNS Science have strategies may have been one of the developed a novel, 3D seismic velocity earliest adaptations to a changing world. model of New Zealand. Their result was fi rst published as a cover story in Nature, in late 2009, with further publications to appear in 2011.

09 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

REFLECTING RUTHERFORD

From left: Martin Lord Rees (centre) visiting the University of Canterbury • Associate Professor Jennifer Hay, a Rutherford Discovery Fellow • Martin Lord Rees • Ben O’Brien, a Rutherford Foundation Fellow, holding an artifi cial muscle

Ernest Lord Rutherford was the fi rst New Zealand scientist to win a Nobel Prize. As one of our greatest scientists it is fi tting that he lends his name to some of our most prestigious activities and funding schemes.

10 Rutherford Discovery Fellowships The world in 2050 Support for emerging researchers Ten talented researchers were chosen as The President of the world’s oldest and Talented emerging researchers receive the fi rst recipients of a new Government- most prestigious scientifi c institution, support for their careers through the funded scheme designed to support early- the Royal Society of London, visited Rutherford Foundation, a charitable to mid-career researchers. The Rutherford New Zealand in March, as part of their trust set up by the Royal Society of Discovery Fellowships provide each 350th anniversary celebrations. New Zealand. The work of the Foundation researcher with between $160,000 is supported by the Ministry of Science Martin Lord Rees was invited to New Zealand and $200,000 per year over fi ve years, and Innovation, the Freemasons Roskill to deliver the 2010 Rutherford Memorial which includes a contribution to salary Foundation and the Cambridge Lecture in Wellington and Christchurch and research costs. Commonwealth Trust. at the invitation of the Royal Society The new scheme is designed to develop of New Zealand. In 2010 the Rutherford Foundation and foster future leaders in New Zealand awarded two post-doctoral fellowships His lectures proved very popular, attracting research, science and technology, and fi ll to support two years of independent capacity audiences. In them he looked at a major gap in support for researchers research carried out in New Zealand. the future of our civilisation and how things in the three to 10 year period after they The fellowships, valued at $190,000 each, could be in 50 years’ time, and what we can complete their doctoral degree. It has went to Dr Rose Turnbull, a geologist expect in the next 20 years in astronomy. been found that this is the time when from the University of Canterbury, many researchers can fi nd it diffi cult to As President of the Royal Society of and bioengineer Ben O’Brien from progress their careers, especially in areas London, Lord Rees is a successor of Sir The University of Auckland. Rose will with heavy competition for funding. Isaac Newton and Ernest Lord Rutherford. study fossilised magma chambers that He is also the UK’s Astronomer Royal occurred in ancient Westland and she Receipt of a Rutherford Discovery and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. will be based at GNS Science in Dunedin. Fellowship will enable researchers As a cosmologist, Lord Rees studies Ben will be working at the Auckland to investigate particular research topics, the universe and tries to understand its Bioengineering Institute for his research and help them establish their careers in evolution on grand timescales in billions which draws inspiration from nature New Zealand. The scheme also aims to of years. But he is also concerned with to make new devices such as artifi cial attract top researchers with international the much smaller timescale of human life. muscles. research experience back to New Zealand. During his New Zealand visit he also met Three university students were awarded The 2010 fellowship winners will be with students and staff at the University of scholarships from the Foundation to pursuing research ranging from improving Canterbury and the MacDiarmid Institute. undertake their PhDs at the University brain function after strokes, to how species of Cambridge in England, following in evolve in the face of infectious diseases, the footsteps of Ernest Lord Rutherford. to how memories are constructed in The successful recipients were Jake Howe, the brain. Janina Voigt and Michael Price who will be undertaking studies in earth science, computer science and physics respectively. In 2011 they will join fi ve other Rutherford Foundation PhD scholars at Cambridge, and a post-doctoral fellow sponsored by the Freemasons Roskill Foundation.

11 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

ENGAGING YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS

From left: Albert Brantley, chief executive • Dr Garth Carnaby and Vathna Am • Allen of Genesis Energy, Hon. Dr Wayne Mapp, Feng and Christian Jones Photo: Eastern Courier Minister of Science and Innovation, Background image: Bailey Lovett, Genesis Energy and Bailey Lovett • Realise the Dream Realise the Dream supreme award winner participants at the Liggins Institute

Engaging young New Zealanders with science is a key objective. Learning occurs in many contexts and the Royal Society of New Zealand recognises this by working both with teachers in schools, and directly with students to foster a lifelong interest in science.

12 Realising the dream Designing solutions At the movies “My passion for science was fuelled by The BP Challenge is a hands-on team Christian Jones and Allen Feng from the good teachers I had when I started competition where young students use Pakuranga College won the inaugural high school. It’s not necessarily those simple materials to solve problems, Freemasons Reel Science Film Festival that teach the content of the curriculum encouraging them to think creatively. with their fi lm Immunity. They were among the best who make the difference, but the At the Wellington BP Challenge event 16 students chosen to learn the fi ner points teachers who make the science in the 300 students had to develop a carrying of fi lm-making at the University of Otago’s topics interesting so the information device for a ‘radioactive’ package using Centre for Science Communication for becomes easy to learn and remember.” just newspaper and tape. One team of a week. They had just 36 hours to produce Bailey Lovett, Genesis Energy Realise students reported that “It was hard working a fi ve-minute fi lm, including writing all the the Dream 2010 supreme award winner. together at fi rst, because we all had material, fi lming and editing. The resulting different ideas. We voted on the best fi lms covered topics ranging from epidemics Bailey’s research project tracked faecal idea and worked as a team quickly. to genetic engineering. contamination in shellfi sh to gauge water It was really fun”. quality after periods of high rainfall. Science in primary schools A Gold CREST award was presented in Realise the Dream is a prestigious competition The Royal Society of New Zealand’s 2010 to Vathna Am, 18, from Manuwera for secondary school students who have Advancing Primary Science initiative High School for his science project undertaken outstanding science or technology encourages primary teachers to place more investigating the anti-microbial potential research. In 2010, 23 students were selected emphasis on teaching science to younger of the fl uid found in tropical pitcher plants. to spend a week travelling through the students. It engages teachers in clusters CREST is an international scheme designed North Island visiting science and technology of educators, and works with them to give to encourage students to be innovative, organisations including the Liggins Institute, them more confi dence in teaching science. creative, and to problem-solve in science Dairy NZ, Genesis Energy, Massey This includes connecting them with key and technology. Every year students from University and NIWA. They participated science organisations in their community all around New Zealand take part. in hands-on activities designed to foster and providing them with a forum to share their interest in science and experience Working in the fi eld their resources and experiences. science in action. At the end of the “Science involves real life problem-solving, Associate Professor Lindsey Conner from week, a panel selected the top students challenges and unpredictability which makes the University of Canterbury has been to represent New Zealand at international any success that much more fulfi lling. working with the teachers involved in science events. The BAYERBoost scholarship allowed me the Advancing Primary Science initiative. to gain insight into a continually expanding “What is great is that teachers who have fi eld and have access to experts enabling taken part are really excited about me to complete a project that will benefi t new topics and ways to teach science. the community.” Corinne Marti, a fi rst We’re looking forward to how these year student at The University of Auckland, new ideas will be shared with students was one of six outstanding students and other teachers. There is no doubt selected in 2010 to gain practical that the teachers involved have gained experience in environmental research confi dence about science teaching.” during their summer break. Her host organisation was Plant and Food Limited where Corinne worked on the relationship between carbon content and water holding capacity in soils.

13 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

CONNECTING TEACHERS WITH INDUSTRY

From left: Gabrielle Nuthall holding a kiwi during Background image: Barrel shrimp inside a salp her fellowship with the NZ Conservation Trust • Photo taken by teacher fellow Len Doel during Teacher fellows – Andrew Rapley, Marian Holman his fellowship hosted by NIWA and Mark Meyburg

The Teacher Fellowship scheme is a unique opportunity for teachers to work with passionate and knowledgeable mentors, gaining experience in applied science and technology. Science teaching is enhanced when teachers can connect their students’ studies with real world situations. This scheme highlights these connections for teachers in a supportive work environment.

14 Teaching leaders in primary science Awarded Teacher Fellowships Working alongside her hosts as an Awarded Teacher Fellow, Anwyl Minnaar, a primary After fi ve months of being back teaching at “The fellowship was just what I needed to school teacher from Kimbolton, has been Halswell Primary School, Gabrielle Nuthall confi rm my love for teaching, that I am in able to develop and test programmes which said: “Science has become a much larger the right job, and to refresh my knowledge teachers can run in reserves and ecosystems part of my everyday teaching since of what is happening in the world of science near their schools. Anwyl was previously completing the Primary Science Teacher in New Zealand. It was a challenging a conservation education offi cer in South Fellowship. The fellowship gave me year during which I saw cutting-edge Africa. Her hosts in 2010 were the Horizons a greater insight into science in action techniques and met some amazing people. Regional Council and Massey University. in different jobs, and also opportunities I can now enhance my lessons with to experience new things. I feel better interesting stories gleaned from a working “I have grown so much in my knowledge equipped now to pass on that knowledge laboratory, and make my lessons come and experience. Immersing myself in my and enjoyment of science to my students.” to life.” Treena Blythe, Nayland College, passion of ecology has been the turning Awarded Teacher Fellow. point in my teaching career and has given During 2010, 45 primary school teachers me the confi dence to put my beliefs into from around New Zealand began an Treena was hosted by The University of action. During my fellowship I was given 18-month teacher fellowship programme Auckland in 2010 to work on understanding the opportunity to take the ideas out, dust designed to create curriculum leaders in how diseases affect the body at a molecular them off and, with lots of input and help science. They spent six months working level. She was among 33 primary and from my host organisations, put them to in research organisations to see how science secondary school teachers who, in 2010, the test,” says Anwyl. is applied in industry, and then undertook were hosted by research organisations a leadership programme to help them to around New Zealand, including universities, pass on what they learnt to others. Crown Research Institutes and private sector companies. The programme aims to demystify science and encourage more teachers to champion These Awarded Teacher Fellows worked on science education in primary schools. research projects ranging from investigating Teachers on the fellowship programme sustainable practice in the fashion and examine the ‘New Zealand Curriculum’ textiles industries, to systems for document and work to establish effective controlling introduced species in the ways of engaging students in science. New Zealand bush. The teachers gained A community of practice allows the teachers signifi cant new knowledge and experience to share their ideas and experiences with to take back to their classrooms. current and past teacher fellows. “Through the fellowship I have realised that children need time to explore and develop inquiry skills that allow them to see failure as part of the process, almost an expectation. From this they learn to change parameters and challenge their thinking to explain their world.” Mike Wylde, Nelson Park School, teacher fellow.

15 PROFILING EXCELLENCE

CONNECTIONS

Science on our TV screens A new television series was produced in 2010 showcasing the work of New Zealand scientists and the direct relevance of their work to people’s lives. The 10-part series, called Ever Wondered?, was commissioned by TVNZ 7, in partnership with the Royal Society of New Zealand who provided advice and expertise. The show was the jewel in the crown of a month-long focus on science and technology on the free-to-air television channel in August. Each episode in the Ever Wondered? series examined a question such as – how can we meet increasing energy demands?, what is the future of food?, and what is New Zealand science doing to tackle air pollution? The series was fronted by award-winning scientist Dr John Watt, who provided a young and authentic voice for New Zealand science. A second series has been commissioned for broadcast in 2011.

16 From left: Dr John Watt (centre), host of the Background image: The Speaker’s Science Forum ‘Ever Wondered?’ television series with series was held at Parliament Professor John Hearnshaw during fi lming • Sea Level Rise Emerging Issues paper

Taking science into Parliament Emerging issues examined Better science coverage During the year we ran a series of science Each year we identify issues where policy Journalists and scientists from around presentations at Parliament for MPs and will benefi t from being informed by New Zealand benefi ted from the skills chief executives of government agencies, research, and produce information pieces of the Science Media Centre in 2010 as it in partnership with Science New Zealand. using the expertise of our Fellows, members contributed to hundreds of science-related The aim of the Speaker’s Science Forum and the wider New Zealand research media stories, ranging from the debate was to show key decision-makers the depth community. In 2010 the information pieces around lowering the blood alcohol level for of talent within the New Zealand research covered genetically modifi ed forages, sea driving, to the Pike River mining disaster. community and provide an understanding level rise, and the earthquake in Canterbury. Its brokering service between the media and of the science underlying issues being the science sector is contributing to better The technology of genetic modifi cation is addressed in Parliament. coverage of science, more science-literate a contentious topic in New Zealand and newsrooms and more media- The presenters were from universities, the Society published a paper about this, savvy scientists. Crown Research Institutes and industry. providing evidence to inform the ongoing Their topics included geo-engineering, debate, particularly on farm animal forages. Thirty briefi ngs were held featuring curbing methane emissions from livestock, The research in this paper extended from scientists from Crown Research Institutes, deep sea exploration, responding to swine the life sciences, through to social attitudes universities and private research fl u, bees and our bio-based economy, and about genetic modifi cation, as well as organisations. The centre also issued 120 translating science into economic gain. market research in our export destinations. Science Alerts quoting scientists from not only New Zealand, but also from overseas. The forum was hosted by Alan Peachey, Rising sea levels is also a topic particularly Around 400 journalists have registered Chair of the Education and Science Select applicable to New Zealand, with 12 of our to receive these alerts. A “Desk Guide for Committee, who commented: “Where else 15 largest towns and cities being coastal. Covering Science” was published to help in the world, in any parliament, would we The past few years have seen increasing general reporters and those new to the have one-quarter of the members in one evidence of higher rates of melting in science round. room during their dinner break listening Greenland and the Antarctic ice sheet, to a lecture about science?” and higher estimates of the rate of sea The Sciblogs.co.nz network of science level rise. Rising sea levels will compound blogs now attracts 50,000 visitors each the hazards that coastal communities face. month, with content also syndicated on the The Society contributed to the debate New Zealand Herald newspaper website. with a paper describing recent research A book collecting ‘the best of’ Sciblogs developments to raise the public and and the best New Zealand science writing media profi le of this issue. was published in early 2011. The earthquake which struck Canterbury in September 2010 caused substantial property damage in and around Christchurch, but resulted in no fatalities. We prepared an information paper describing how New Zealand’s long history of research into seismology and earthquake engineering design work for buildings helped save lives in Canterbury.

17 The Royal Society of New Zealand 4 Halswell Street, Thorndon, PO Box 598, Wellington 6140, New Zealand Tel: +64 4 472 7421, Fax: +64 4 473 1841, www.royalsociety.org.nz Published in February 2011

© 2011 Royal Society of New Zealand, PO Box 598, Wellington 6140, New Zealand ISSN 2230-3022 (Print) ISSN 2230-3030 (Online)