What the students say about Awhina 2008

The students
Clark - Maori/ Italian/ Scottish/ Irish/ German
Lily - Chinese/ Tokelauan/ Pakeha
Christina - Maori/ Pakeha/ Chinese
Stamos - European/ Maori: Ngati Parou
Selwyn Maori - Tuhoe/ Ngati Parou
Shannon Maori - Ngati Rangitihi
Janice - Maori
Alisha - Maori
Maroussia - Samoan/ Tokolauan
Dexter - Samoan
Nick - Nuiean/ Pakeha
Lewis - Nuiean/ Pakeha

What are the things you like about the Awhina Whanau?
“Learning new things. All the Maori tools we used and using flax.” (Clark)
“The support you receive from other students and mentors. The sense of community.” (Lily)
“All Maori objects we have used and using flax.” (Shannon)
“The support from other students and mentors. The trips, like the one to Parliament.” (Christina)
“I like going on trips and doing fun things, like doing experiments at Parliament.” (Stamos)
“We get to do cool experiments and go on trips.” (Alisha)
“To learn more about science and be around more people of my ethnicity.” (Janice)
“Means a lot. The mentors help us with things that we don’t know about, so that I can strive to succeed.” (Maroussia)

What does mentoring mean to you? Are you inspired by the experience?
“I am inspired by the mentoring experience. They open up a world of opportunity and set great examples.” (Lily)
“Mentoring means to me – having someone who will help out. I’m extremely inspired by the trips and the fascinating people I’ve met through Awhina.” (Christina)
“Mentoring means you teach others about science. I am inspired by it.” (Selwyn)
“Awhina was good this year. Looking forward to next year. Dave and Cassidy were great mentors.” (Maroussia)
“It can be an awesome experience and it has inspired me to become a mentor.” (Nick)
“I was inspired by the Awhina Whanau because I found out what science can do for me.” (Dexter)

How has the Awhina Whanau changed your view of science?
“It made me more interested in science in learning new things in science. Can’t wait until next year.” (Clark)
“Made me more interested and want to learn.” (Shannon)
“It has opened a world of opportunities for me and got me interested. I enjoyed the experience this year and look forward to next year.” (Christina)
“I’m really determined to get the Silver CREST Award.” (Stamos)
“Awhina has changed my view of science – of all the different and wide varieties of science.” (Selwyn)
“It has made me more interested in science and I like doing experiments. Awhina is awesome. Looking forward to next year! Dave and Cassidy are good mentors.” (Alisha)
“It has made science easier and I actually concentrate. Awhina was great this year and the mentors were awesome.” (Janice)
“It has made my view that science can actually be really, really fun! Going to Parliament was really fun.” (Maroussia)
“The Awhina Whanau has changed my view of science by letting me take part in experiments that have rewarded me with awards and certificates which I thought were a lot harder to achieve. Awhina is fun and you still learn science. Awhina should definitely run for at least another decade.” (Dexter)