A small piece of life in Antarctica and the International Space Station will be taken to the Cook Islands next week as part of Tūhura Otago Museum’s 2024 Science Expo.
The museum’s outreach team, led by senior science engagement co-ordinator Dr Marijn Kouwenhoven, will be on Mangaia from next Tuesday to Thursday, to provide continued Stem education in the Pacific community.
Dr Kouwenhoven said this year’s expo would feature the museum’s Space Science Showcase, which explores space technologies and their role in addressing challenges like climate change.
Highlights would include a live connection to researchers working in Antarctica, and a special message from Nasa astronaut and flight operations directorate deputy director Dr Kjell Lindgren, who would talk about his time on the International Space Station.
In addition, she said the museum had created an interactive celestial navigation display and a tribute to local Stem hero, the late Sir Thomas Davis.
Sir Thomas is a former Cook Islands prime minister and medical researcher for the United States Army and Nasa.
"Sir Tom’s legacy is a powerful reminder of the potential in every individual, no matter where they come from ... We hope his story inspires the next generation of Pacific innovators," Dr Kouwenhoven said.
The Science Expo was inspired by a lack of science communication, despite global research teams working in the region, so the Tūhura Otago Museum team sought to bring interactive science experiences to Pacific nations.
The Science Expo was conceived by former museum visitor experience and science engagement director Craig Grant and the museum’s outreach team in 2017, and started with a tour of the Far from Frozen climate change science showcase.
With support from the United States embassy and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the project had successfully evolved into an ongoing partnership with the region, Dr Grant said.
"After our first showcase, the response was so positive that we knew we had to keep the momentum going.
"What started as a small project has now evolved into a major event.
