Landforms

Here is a last look at the posters of Lake Rotomahana created by Rotorua Primary and Intermediate school children.The first image is the winning poster created by Kaya Henderson-Corporaal, Georgia Perham and Breannah Wakefield of Galatea School. We were particularly impressed by the careful detail and realism of features on the lake floor in this poster.  The second prize was shared by two students from Rerewhakaaitu School: Mark Sincalir and Paige Skipper. They each created a very colourful and artistic poster. These portray the whole atmosphere of the lake as well as a variety of hydrothermal features and rocks on the lake floor.  This is Westbrook School student Cassandra Kiff’s picture of what she thought may be found by the Rotomahana scientists. “Maybe the Pink and White Terraces?” She has also shown colourful bubbles and vents in the lake. Traci Benson of Owhata School created this small poster. She clearly related the present lake floor to the history of the Tarawera Eruption. A very colourful and eyecatching picture. There were many other posters that impressed us. Here is another look at some of the display in Rotorua Central Library. The posters have now been moved to the GNS Science building in Avalon, Lower Hutt where they are on display in the foyer. A big thank you to all the teachers, students and others involved in bringing this poster exhibition about, including Sue Heke and other staff at Rotorua Library, Jessie McKenzie of the Royal Society of New Zealand and Harvey James of Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

 Last week I toured a number of Rotorua Schools to show slides and to describe the rediscovery of the Pink Terraces as well as other results of the Rotomahana Project. Over three days I talked to over 1100 children. I also took the opportunity to present prizes to the winners of the Rotomahana Project Poster Competition. The Prizes were awarded to those students who had produced the  most eye catching posters, that also most accurately predicted what the scientists would discover in the lake.  It was very difficult to choose the winners because of the high standard of the posters that had been entered. A lot of effort had gone into the children’s creations. This photo shows the engagement and interest of the children in learning about the Rotomahana Project.    The youngest prizewinning scientists each won a Rotomahana Project baseball cap, a certificate and a family pass to a guided tour of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley as well as a boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana. In this picture, Traci Benson, age six, of Owhata School is getting her prize.   Cassandra Kiff of Westbrook School was also commended for her poster and won an award.   Second Overall Prize went to Rerewhakaaitu School students Paige Skipper and Mark Sinclair who produced visually outstanding  posters. They won a guided tour of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley for 30 students and teachers, as well as hats and certificates for themselves. There were many very high quality posters from this school.     First Prize for best poster went to a trio of Galatea School students Kaya, Georgia and Breannah. Their teacher Marylou has been very enthusiastic about this project and was delighted at the success of her students. Part of the first prize is a guided tour of Waimangu Volcanic Valley and also a boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana for 30 students and adults. This class produced a number of outstanding posters and it is fitting that they will all share in the prize. Well done!