Renowned science educator and communicator Ken Silburn will share his passion and expertise at Otago Polytechnic’s Science in Action Day on Tuesday 10 July.

Part of the 2018 International Science Festival in Dunedin, Science in Action Day enables secondary school students to explore the exciting science behind a wide range of programmes offered by Otago Polytechnic.

Ken will run a paper rocket launching session outside the Hub at 3pm, before facilitating a hands-on workshop for educators, then making a keynote address at an open public lecture.

Internationally renowned in science education, especially in the area of environmental and space science, Ken is a recognised Global Teacher Ambassador, having been acknowledged as one of the top 10 teachers in the world (from more than 23,000 nominations) through the Varkey Global Teacher Prize.

Passionate about teaching 21st-century skills and increasing the educational opportunities of students on a global scale, Ken is also the recipient of the prestigious Dr Paul Brock Medal from the Australian College of Educators.

Ken’s hands-on workshop will give educators insights into how he engages students in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Other Science in Action Day activities include: sports match analytics; flying the latest sports drone; performing CPR on a simulator; bridge building; Information Technology projects; interactive food activities.

The future of robotics will also be on display at Otago Polytechnic.

Created by SoftBank Robotics in 2006, NAO is an interactive and customisable robot that has become a benchmark in the world of research and education, as well as in healthcare (in retirement homes and hospitals), retail and tourism.

Now, many thousands of NAO are being used in more than 70 countries around the world.

Note: The meet-a-robot session at Otago Poytechnic’s Hub at 9.30am Tuesday 10 July has been sold out.

Science in Action Day will be held at Otago Polytechnic, Forth Street, Dunedin, on Tuesday 10 July (9.00am-4.30pm).

Ken Silburn’s Science in Action Educators Workshop will be held at Manaaki, Otago Polytechnic, Harbour Terrace, Dunedin, on Tuesday 10 July, from 4.30pm. The workshop will conclude with complimentary drinks and nibbles, prior to Ken’s keynote address at 6.30pm in G Block, Room G106.

Otago Polytechnic is proud to sponsor the International Science Festival.


Published on 9 Jul 2018

Orderdate: 9 Jul 2018
Expiry: 31 Dec 2018