Students as Researchers - Brain Waves 2013
From February to April, twenty Year 10 students from Aorere College, Southern Cross Campus and Tamaki College became familiar visitors to the Liggins Institute as they journeyed successfully through the LENScience Students as Researchers Programme (SARP). Chosen by their schools as motivated students with potential in science, they embarked on a challenging 10-week programme involving the design and development of mini-research projects in conjunction with the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research.
The students participated in workshops to develop research skills and carried out their studies during the Centre for Brain Research’s Brain Day where more than 3000 members of the public engage with scientists (and our junior scientists) from across the University. The programme culminated in a symposium where the SARP students joined scientists from CBR to present their research findings to whanau, teachers and principals from participating schools, and members of the University community. Aorere College parents got a special glimpse at the potential future for their children in science as Aorere Alumna, Associate Professor Donna Rose Addis shared her recent research with students and family, including her mother who attended the symposium and met Aorere College families.
The next SARP programme will run from September to December this year and focus on students developing community action initiatives to support improved health behaviours for adolescents. The students will also carry out research to measure the impact of their programme. Schools and scientists interested in participating in this programme or the 2014 Centre for Brain Research - SARP programme should contact Jacquie Bay.
