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Thousands expected at UC for week of activities
Published by the Communications and Development Department
7 July 2003
Genetic engineering, fossils and bones, campus tours . . . there is an almost endless range of topics and events being covered this week at the University of Canterbury when thousands of visitors will converge on the campus as UC hosts a number of events encouraging the young and the older to get in touch with their university.
UC has two open days, tomorrow and Wednesday for anyone interested in attending university next semester or next year. Tours of the campus, the libraries, and the Recreation Centre, and open days at the halls of residence are part of the programme, along with special presentations and lectures in a wide range of subjects.
Events start from 10am, there is free parking, and to help people find their way around the campus, student “white coats” will be on hand to assist. Further information is available by ringing 0800 VARSITY ( 0800 827748).
Uni for Kids is hosting a range of events as part of the school holiday KidsFest 2003, with a number of activities already sold out including Computer Science Unplugged, Fossils and Bones Galore, and Physics Extravaganza. Places are still available on Mechanical Wonders (see the first robot made in New Zealand) and Skulls and Skeletons (find out about the skeletons in the Biological Sciences School's cupboards).
One Thursday, about 90 secondary students from throughout Christchurch and Canterbury will attend the Golden Key International Honour Society, UC Chapter, Colloquium for gifted and talented Year 13 students.
The focus of this year's colloquium (the first was held last year) is the controversial topic of Genetic Engineering. The colloquium is supported by the University, UC’s NZ Institute of Gene Ecology (NZIGE), and Rotary of Riccarton.
Workshops will be presented by Jack Heinemann, Anne Scott, Joanna Goven, Hamish Cochrane, Andy Pratt, Barbara Nicholas, Jim Tully and Ken Daniels. Of particular interest is a role play being run by Professor Heinemann (a genetics lecturer and Director of NZIGE) and Dr Hamish Cochrane (a biosecurity lecturer) when students will be involved in creating and role playing a bio security emergency.
All workshop presenters and facilitators will organise their presentations toward the objective of assisting teams to problem-solve questions such as: what would it mean for NZ to be GE free; what risks are there in the release of genetically modified medicines; when genetically modified organisms are released into New Zealand's wider environment, how should those organisms be monitored to minimise risk; what reasons might there be for people to be uneasy with human genes in (some) other organisms, or the consumption of animals that are genetically modified; and what are the potential harms and benefits of applying gene-technologies to screen human beings?
Teams will report back and present their findings in the afternoon.
For more information contact:
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