Carol Larson
Lots of hard work has led to lots of smiles for three Hawke's Bay youngsters whose work surrounding things of a watery nature resulted in them picking up awards as part of the National Aquarium's "Meeting of the Minds" programme.
It was a clean sweep for Hastings schools with Jack Arcus who is in year five at Frimley School, Ruby Foskett in year six at St Mary's School and Hastings Intermediate's year seven student Alex Withington picking up the honours.
The annual awards, which have been running for eight years, are named in tribute to Jock McKenzie who was based in Palmerston North at Massey University and a member of the aquarium's education advisory team board.
"He was always involved and did so much for us," aquarium education team leader Carol Larson said.
Mr McKenzie was only 52 when he died of heart problems.
"When he passed away we wanted to do something to keep him involved with us so his name went on the awards."
This year's "Meeting of the Minds at the National Aquarium" was held on June 4 and 11 and drew about 170 students aged eight to 12 from schools across Hawke's Bay.
The youngsters had been recognised by their teachers as having good research and creative skills.
This year's theme was Staying Alive! with the students investigating special senses, adaptations, behaviour and locomotion features of aquarium animals that enable them to survive.
During four intensive sessions they took part in activities including dissection, respiration rate activity, adaptation studies, observational drawing and handling bio-facts.
As an extension of the activities, students were invited to submit a project from questions posted on the aquarium's website which resulted in 67 projects completed overall.
The winning trio were delighted with their awards which included a fun component - the opportunity to have a close encounter with the penguins.
Ms Larsen was also delighted, pointing out there were a third more entries this year.
"When students participate in the project they get a deeper understanding of the knowledge imparted at the Meeting of the Minds programme, so they are getting a bigger dose of the real science that happens on the day."
She said it was exciting for the education team at the aquarium to see interest in the programme has grown and places available filled so fast
" Kids come in so excited and they leave buzzing about the various activities, the other kids they have met and having hands-on experience."
All the submitted projects will be on display at the aquarium until July 3.