Water workshop with tech focus engaging for curious minds

Students at the waka ama workshop on the river with digitally monitored waka hoe that collect data from their paddling. Pictures by Liam Clayton

A digitally monitored waka hoe has given students the chance to learn about science and technology in a different way.

Students from Gisborne schools and kura attended the Curious Minds waka ama workshop held on the water and in Lawson Field Theatre’s Rose Room.

It is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s A Nation of Curious Minds-He Whenua Hihiri i te Maha investment fund which supports projects that help New Zealanders learn about and engage with science and technology.

It was the first of four regional waka ama workshops aimed at engaging with 200 junior paddlers from across the North Island.

Project lead Andy Foskett — the head of Massey University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition — said the goal was to provide a stimulating environment for the students to learn about performance and nutritional science.

“Our project realised the passion and love that tamariki have for waka ama and connected this with the technology and scientific expertise our Massey academics have to develop ‘water workshops’.”

Students are able to paddle in waka while using “world-first” instrumented waka hoe — basically a paddle with a computer chip inside.  The computer chip allows them to analyse performance metrics, such as peak power, force and impulse, while learning about the science of performance.

The project team feature Dr Paul Macdermid — a paddle science expert who has used similar technology to train Olympic kayakers — assisted by Massey University students Zoe Yeo and Hamish Felakaono, who are completing Bachelor of Sport and Exercise  degrees; sports dietetics expert Associate Professor Kathryn Beck; Dr Bevan Erueti, who ensured matauranga Māori was available throughout the experience and translated for kura kaupapa; and Israil Foreman — a waka ama expert and liaison with regional waka ama contacts.

For the Tairāwhiti workshop, he contacted Vesna Radonich — an international paddling coach and former world champion.

She became the event organiser who booked the waka, organised a pōwhiri, venue, catering, schools and logistics of the event.

“Without her, the event would not have been the success that it was,” Mr Foskett said.

The driving force for the project team’s involvement was “simple”, he said.

“They love teaching and love science.

“We know that science can open many doors and we find it disappointing that many students don’t see science as a discipline for them.

“By engaging students with an activity that they have a passion for and showing them how science can be cool and exciting, we hope that we can ignite their passion and stimulate their curiosity for science.”