Kiwi science celebrities Siouxsie Wiles and Bugman coming to Tauranga

Science whiz Siouxsie Wiles and Ruud 'Bugman' Kleinpaste are two of four speakers coming to Tauranga as part of a House of Science symposium. Photos/supplied

New Zealand's top science whizzes are coming to speak in Tauranga.

The Curious Citizens symposium is being hosted by House of Science next month as part of the institution's biennial gathering.

New Zealand science personalities Ruud 'Bugman' Kleinpaste, Steve Hathaway, Siouxsie Wiles and Victoria Metcalf will be starring as speakers at the event.

House of Science is a not-for-profit venture established in 2013 to provide accessible and engaging science programmes to the wider Western Bay of Plenty.

National founder and chief executive Chris Duggan said the symposium provided an opportunity for the whole community to learn together.

"Our inaugural symposium in 2015 attracted 230 primary and secondary teachers, scientists, researchers, community leaders and the general public.

Victoria Metcalf is the national co-ordinator of the participatory science platform in the office of the Prime Minister's chief science adviser where she is known as the "Queen of Curiosity".

"This year we hope to attract over 300 keen and curious citizens. We make this event accessible to as many people as possible by keeping the registration fees affordable yet offering a memorable experience in a great setting".

Kleinpaste is well known as an ambassador for insects and other invertebrates. He is championing environmental education projects from Fiordland to Bay of Islands, engaging whole communities in citizen science.

Hathaway is an underwater oceanographer who starting filming underwater professionally in 2008. His footage has appeared on BBC, Discovery TV, National Geographic and TVNZ, in numerous award-winning documentaries.

Pink-haired Wiles regularly appears on science matters in New Zealand and has been awarded many science communication prizes, and Metcalf is the national co-ordinator of the participatory science platform in the office of the Prime Minister's chief science adviser, where she is affectionately known as the "Queen of Curiosity".

Steve Hathaway is an underwater oceanographer who starting filming underwater professionally in 2008 and is coming to Tauranga as part of the House of Science symposium. Photo/supplied

In addition to the speakers, workshops will be available for people to take part in.

The one-day symposium begins at 8.30am and concludes at 5pm. There are three keynote sessions planned as well as two seminar slots where delegates have a choice of four different presentations.

With the focus on citizen science, there is also an extended opportunity to try a variety of hands-on activities related to novel science projects. Presenters for these workshops come from all over the country and will amaze with the range of relevant science activities people can participate in.

Symposium Registration and the full programme on the House of Science website:
http://houseofscience.nz/get-involved/symposium

Key details

What: Curious Citizens, a day of inspiration, information and networking for anyone with an interest in science.

When: 9am-5pm, Friday, November 10

Where: The Orchard, Te Puke