What is Realise the Dream

Realise the Dream is a prestigious six-day event which celebrates, rewards, challenges and showcases the work of extraordinary school students from all over New Zealand who have carried out an excellence piece in research, or technological practice. The principal sponsor of this event is Genesis Energy and the support partners are the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and DairyNZ.

This event will build a strong culture for sciences, mathematics, social sciences and technology (sciences and technology) in New Zealand by

• building on the foundation provided by our young
• providing an incentive for achievement
• encouraging and acknowledging young people in their development of creativity and lateral thinking in sciences and technology and entrepreneurialism
• supporting parents and educators to inspire our future wealth creators

Using young achievers and their achievements to promote science and technology to other young people and the community is one of the most powerful ways encouraging them and others with potential.

• enable the recognition and celebration of excellence and achievement in the area of research and technological practice
• provide further learning for our young achievers in sciences and technology
• promote outstanding students for New Zealand and international honours
• give scientists and technologists opportunities to inform and enthuse about their work
• support scientists and technologists to present their work as champions/role models to a the youth sector and their parents
• develop and build links with, and networks for, excellent undergraduate and postgraduate students
• use our young achievers in leading and inspiring others
• develop links between international young achievers which will continue into their working careers

with a programme which includes:

• Presentation of the students research to the judges
• Evaluation of student work to recognise and promote excellence
• A formal celebration dinner with high profile leaders of New Zealand
• Visits to current NZ research and technological organistions
• Workshops for students in innovation, media training, entrepreneurship and the development of an idea to commercial reality
• Social events

"Attending Realise the Dream has enriched and broadened my knowledge of science and technology in general, and I have made new friends from all around the country. It has also shown me that there are many opportunities in New Zealand in the science field. So a big thank you to everyone involved in organising the event. Realise the Dream has been an amazing experience and I hope to partake again."