Outreach

UC Arts and UC Science once again joined forces to run our Art of Science competition. Students from Year 5 to 13 were invited to submit their original artwork, and we were treated over 100 fantastic entries. Winning entries 2022 The competition was held under three school year categories: Apprentices (Year 5-7), Interns (Year 8-10) and Masters (Year 11-13). Check out...

Ernest Rutherford was the creator of modern atomic and nuclear physics - one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century. He started at University of Canterbury (then called Canterbury College) in 1890. After three degrees and two years research at the forefront of the electrical technology of the day, he won an 1851 Exhibition Scholarship, which he took...

"How often people speak of art and science as though they were two entirely different things, with no interconnection. That is all wrong. The true artist is quite rational as well as imaginative and knows what he is doing; if he does not, his art suffers. The true scientist is quite imaginative as well as rational, and sometimes leaps...

From the 18 – 23 April, 20 high school students from around New Zealand attended the Elaine P. Snowden (EPS) camp. Over the course of the week the students took part in a range of activities from experiencing life as a UC student through to star gazing at the University of Canterbury’s Mt John Observatory.

Art and science are more intricately linked than we usually imagine. Both are driven by the innate human need to make sense of things. As artists and scientists, we want to understand the vast, complex world around us better. We're also curious about the mysteries of our internal world. Art and science both involve stepping boldly into the unknown. The...

An exciting Professional Day for STEM teachers hosted by the University of Canterbury on 12 Nov, 2019, attracted over 70 secondary school teachers from South Island high schools. It's so important to facilitate collaborations and ongoing communications with local school teachers. Education is a critical part of our jobs as University academics, and school teachers are our colleagues and partners...

The transition from school to university can be hard: there are so many options to choose from, and decisions to be made on what to be. That's why we started the UC Science Summer Camp, for Year 12 students interested in studying science at university. This programme is designed to give a first-hand experience of university life, and science...

The Elaine P. Snowden Astronomy School is an annual  five-day camp for Year 12 and 13 students interested in studying Astronomy or Physics at university. This year, the programme ran from 13-17 April, with 20 students selected from all over New Zealand. With a mix of seminars and practical work, the students were immersed in various topics in astronomy...

The Elaine P. Snowden Astronomy School is a five-day event for Year 13 students interested in studying Astronomy or Physics at university. The programme runs from 13-17 April and students will spend time at both the University of Canterbury's Ilam Campus and at Mt John Observatory in Tekapo. Applications are now open, closing 8 March. Learn more.

The He Puna Pūtaiao Programme was established by the College of Science in 2013 and is designed to give Year 10 Māori students from selected schools the opportunity to work alongside scientists and learn about scientific research. Puna means to well up or to flow, so symbolically represents youth or rangatahi. Its meaning may also incorporate research because in a...