Quest to make Hutt Valley tech leader continues with Curious Minds funding
Hutt Valley's success in the 2016 Unlocking Curious Minds Fund has further championed the region for being a tech leader, National List MP Chris Bishop says.
The Fund results, recently announced by Steven Joyce, Science and Innovation Minister, included funding four a total of four projects by Hutt Valley organisations GNS Science and Hutt Valley Council.
Mr Bishop says "With a large number of innovative applications from a range of applicants, the four successful projects will develop the curiosity of young people in the Hutt and in other parts of New Zealand. Their creativity in reaching young people that have limited opportunities to engage with science and technology will be the catalyst for turning the Hutt Valley into Technology Valley.
On Monday I held a public meeting bringing together a number of industry and community leaders, along with experts and innovators to discuss how we can transform the Hutt Valley into Technology Valley. High on the agenda was the success of these projects along with previous successful applications."
Three projects by GNS Science won funding for its youth-based projects: 'Action Planet', a programme that will educate youth with learning disabilities about Planet Earth; 'Sensors in schools', which will analyse air quality in Hutt Valley schools; and 'Dinosaur Footprints', which will be a collaborative effort between GNS Science and Collingwood Area School in Takaka.
Hutt City Council was also awarded funding for its project 'Hands on Hutt Science', which aims to turn classrooms into science laboratories and encourage children to become scientists.
The 2016 Unlocking Curious Mind Fund awarded up to $30,000 for local projects and up to $150,000 for regional or national projects.
The purpose of the Fund is to work with groups to develop science and technology initiatives through engaging, promoting and supporting the importance and relevance of science and technology in New Zealanders' lives.
