Year 10 students test anti-microbial properties of pia harakeke and manuka honey

Cybrospace 2011 - Year 11 students help students to 'Name that dye!'

Year 9 Awhina Whanau students 2011 testing tensile strength of the muka

Cybrospace launch @ Porirua

Maori and Pacific Island students from all year groups and whanau were invited to Porirua for the launch of the second booklet in the "Cybrospace - Journeys to Success" series. Students participated in interesting activities provided by the science, engineering, architecture and design departments hosted by Victoria University and Awhina Whanau mentors.

Year 11 HVHS Awhina Whanau students hosted a hands-on Science workshop on Maori Dyeing. This explored the black, brown and yellow dyes used to dye harakeke fibres in the making of the taniko boarders of the kahu or cloak.

Exploring the hidden world of rocks in the Geology Department.

Students extract DNA from strawberries at the School of Biological Sciences.

Making flubber in the chemistry deparment.

Students win the tallest building competition at the School of Architecture and Design.

Testing anti-microbial properties of harakeke

Students grow soil microorganisms on agar plates and test for anti-microbial of pia harakeke (flax leaf exudates) and munuka honey.

Year 11 day out at Victoria University 2010

Year 11 Awhina students visited Victoria University with their mentors to learn about the science of Maori dyes and to have a guided tour of the mentors' research projects.

Awhina visit to Te Papa 2010

Students took part in the ‘Tumeke harakeke’ (awesome flax) programme at Te Papa. They explored treasures (taonga) from the Maori collection and looked at the role harakeke played in the manufacture and construction of these items. After a great presentation by the Te Papa staff Year 9 students had a ‘hands on’ examination of traditional Maori tools and clothing. Year 10 students learnt about the science of Maori dyes used in the making of cloaks (kahu).

Harakeke (flax) project - muka preparation 2010

Year 9 students work with their mentors on stripping the fibre (muka) from flax (harakeke) leaves. Once the muka is prepared, students will test the tensile strenght of the fibres.