NEWS
Science Idol / Youth Campaign / Swim Skills
It’s a rap 
New Zealand’s first science idol competition was part of the seventh New Zealand International Science Festival, themed ‘Everyday Science: Food for Thought’ in Dunedin recently.
Workshops were held during the festival with visiting US biologist and science rapper Tom McFadden who helped 12 competitors aged between eight and 15 years old to develop their rap music songs about an aspect of science and perform them on the day.
The winners of the ‘science idol’ competition in the eight to 10 age group were Kate Truman and Helen Knott, both nine years old, from George Street Normal School, Dunedin. The winner of the 11 to 15 age group was Ella Cameron, 11 years old, from St Clair School, Dunedin. Winners receive a print revealing a map of their own DNA by sponsors The Otago Institute and Genetics Otago.
Youth want powerwall gone
Ten Youth Ambassadors from the Cancer Society handed over 500 signed postcards to local members of parliament recently.
The postcards push for a ban on cigarette displays in dairies, service stations and supermarkets.
The Cancer Society’s campaign to remove ‘powerwalls’ of tobacco advertising began more than three years ago and has been noted for its extensive involvement with young people who, it says, are being targeted by tobacco advertising in retail outlets.
Sam Whittle, a member of the Youth Ambassadors said the it was inspiring to see more than 15 per cent of Gisborne’s population supporting the issue.
Every year the group has run Youth Week events to promote the campaign and awareness of teen smoking, including a youth rally, film festival and debate.
“The cigarettes will still be there, they just won’t be right in front of our faces, tempting us,” said Ella Swan, 14, the targeted age for smoking uptake by tobacco companies. Caroline Simmonds agreed. “We’re not taking away cigarettes, we’re just trying to get them out of the sight of kids.”
Research commissioned by Water Safety New Zealand indicates a reduction in opportunities to learn to swim as well as a decline in ability.
Drowning is recognised as a leading cause of injury-related death in children both in New Zealand and globally.
Poor swimming skills revealed by the research prompted WSNZ’s Swim for Life campaign to raise awareness of swim and survive as a core life skill.
Matt Claridge, General Manager, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) says Northland and Otago are examples of what can be achieved by a focused and coordinated approach to swim and survive delivery.
“They are the regional models that WSNZ believe should be replicated nationwide and worked towards,” he says.
WSNZ’ believes quality swim and survive provision should be an essential component within the New Zealand education curriculum.
Matt says falling swimming skill levels is an issue which will continue to escalate in the short term and have long term repercussions.
International Life Saving Federation swimming and water safety.
Water Safety New Zealand.