Seeing the light

Sydney Norgawa (5), of Dunedin, looks at a telescope during a series of "fun hands-on interactive and take-home activities" to demonstrate the science of light, at the Otago Museum on Saturday.

The activities were run by the University of Otago Optics Chapter, a group of Otago physics students interested in the world of optics and keen to promote it. Sydney’s mother, Anna Tsukigawa, said the mix of hands-on activities had been "great".

Jessa Barder, a museum science engagement co-ordinator, said at least 50 people visited from 11.30am during the first hour of the three-hour session.

The museum event also marked the Unesco International Day of Light, held on May 16, to celebrate the role light plays in science, culture and art, as well as in education and many other fields, including medicine.