 |
  |
| UC Home | Courses | Departments | Library | Teaching | Research | Students | Contacts | Search | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
||
The Innovation Story starts nationwide tour
Published by the Communications and Development Department
7 November 2002
An enormous, bright orange touring trailer, that is itself the embodiment of innovative design and technology, arrived in Christchurch this week for the start of a 20-month nationwide tour to bring The Innovation Story - bright ideas brilliant products to families throughout New Zealand.
The Innovation Story touring exhibition will be officially opened tomorrow, Friday 8 November, at the University of Canterbury, by Hon. Jim Anderton, Minister for Economic Development and Minister of Industry and Regional Development, and will feature at events in many towns and cities over the next 20 months.
Designed to be easily accessed by families on a day out, the exhibition celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of New Zealanders as well as encouraging people with bright ideas to take them further.
“Giving people ready access to exciting and inspiring examples of New Zealand innovations will make an important contribution towards expanding our economy.” said Chris Le Cren, of Christchurch, Chair of National Science-Technology Roadshow Trust. “This exhibition will be fun to visit, while getting across important and practical messages for anyone wanting to develop bright ideas.”
The huge touring trailer – which opens out to three times its travelling size – contains many different modules that encourage visitors to participate in the great New Zealand innovation story. This includes a central core of information on bright ideas (supported by the University of Canterbury and Shieff Angland), surrounded by interactive displays based on the brilliant products and technologies of five specific companies.
People who visit the show can drive a Hamilton Jet unit and watch its underwater dynamics through a viewing window; use a talking Braille computer developed by Pulse Data International to help partially sighted people in their everyday lives; learn how to keep their throat healthy by doing a BLIS touch-screen quiz; try out the high-tech knitting process and touch the natural materials that make up Untouched World luxurious fashion; and interact with the control panel of a WhisperGen personal power station. They can also visit a range of web sites to find out more about innovation.
Developed by the National Science-Technology Roadshow Trust, the national project has attracted major public and private partners - lead sponsor Industry New Zealand, the Government’s Science and Technology Promotion Fund, HP, as well as the display module partners.
From its initial appearance at the University of Canterbury, The Innovation Story will move to the Canterbury A&P Show, where it will be open to the public from Wednesday 13 November, and then on tour until March 2004. Entry is free but donations are welcome.
For further information contact: |
