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DiscoveryCamp and NanoCamp - Annual Report 2025
20 June, 2026
From 19-23 January, our annual DiscoveryCamp hosted nine Māori and Pacific Island Year 12 and 13 students at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury (UC) in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Ten Year 12 and 13 students gathered the same week for our annual NanoCamp at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago (UoO) in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
The DiscoveryCamp academic programme covered an introduction to nanotechnology, and sessions on silicon wafer photolithography, dye-sensitized fruit-based solar cells, nano-chemistry, microfluidics, microbiology and more. The evenings held a wide range of social activities such as attending Surf School at Sumner Beach, bowling and an escape room. One of our colleagues from Whakarewarewa Living Village also joined the camp to support the students.
The NanoCamp programme included sessions on silver nanoprisms, superconductivity, molecular crystal growing, making solar cells, microplastics and more. There were also talks on astrochemistry and a talk on 'How Light Exerts Force on Matter (and What We Can Do With It)' by Professor Alejandro Fainstein, visiting from Bariloche Atomic Centre, Argentina. The students enjoyed various social activities in the evenings, including laser tag, ten-pin bowling and an extremely well-timed visit to St Clair Beach during the best weather of the week.
DiscoveryCamp made me realise the excitement within all the sciences, which really encouraged my consideration in studying more than one science for university as a Pasifika student.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
This camp showed me that there are no cultural/ethnic limits to what a Pasifika student can achieve in science, and that really solidified my decision to pursue science in the future.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
Even if you think you have your future planned out, this camp might just change your perspective, and your future.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
It was empowering to be surrounded by other young Māori and Pasifika students who shared my enthusiasm for science.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
This experience will stay with me for life, not only in the confidence it gave me, but also the connections I made, the hands-on science I was able to explore and the fun I had.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
From the silicon wafer photolithography activity to the tissue engineering and cultivated meat, I enjoyed learning about everything.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
As a young Māori wahine in science fields, it was incredibly inspiring and empowering.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
I can say this camp was nothing short of life-changing.
DiscoveryCamp attendee
DiscoveryCamp attendees with camp organiser Martin Allen, and Investigators Diane Bradshaw and Vladimir Golovko
NanoCamp 2025 opened my eyes to some of the astounding things that you can do with science and was the perfect place to meet amazing, like-minded people.
NanoCamp attendee
Building a small hydrogen-powered car was a highlight - it was cool to see how a concept I had read about worked in practise and how it could be scaled up for larger transport systems.
NanoCamp attendee
From silver nanoprisms to transmission electron microscopes and superconductors, NanoCamp was filled with awe-inspiring and unique experiences that I will remember for many years to come.
NanoCamp attendee
I had no idea that the sort of technology that we were able to experiment with even exists.
NanoCamp attendee
The whole week was filled with unique and mind-blowing information.
NanoCamp attendee
I was able to really find my passion for chemistry and decide it was what I wanted to do with my life.
NanoCamp attendee
NanoCamp attendees with camp organiser Anna Garden, with chaperones Elkhansa Elbashier and Sam McIntyre
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