Southland Science Fair Turns 40

Two hundred and fifty student projects. Forty years. And for the first time, the sponsors are competing too.

The NZAS Southland Science and Technology Fair opens to the public this Wednesday, marking four decades of the region's biggest student science event. Running August 11 to 14 at a venue packed with displays from Year 5 through to Year 13, this year's fair has drawn more entries than ever.

The 40th anniversary comes with a new twist: a Sponsor Project Challenge, where local sponsors swap the judge's seat for a lab bench and take on their own scientific projects alongside the students. It's a genuine novelty — and a decent leveller.

The track record here is worth taking seriously. Last year, two Southland students reached the National Science Fair. One went further — all the way to the International Science Fair.

Public sessions run Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm, and Friday 9am to 3pm. Prize giving is Friday at 5pm for students who have placed. Teachers can check the website from Wednesday evening to find out which of their students have won.

Over 250 entries. A region's worth of curiosity on display. Worth a look.