Secondary school tauira try out the equipment in a Hands-On at Otago physiology session.
Recent feedback shows Otago’s annual, week-long immersive programme for senior secondary students does have a big impact on those who take part.
About 400 students from around Aotearoa attend Whai Wheako i Ōtākou, Hands-On at Otago each January to try out university subjects and activities including lab work, field trips and theatre and dance, as well as recreational and social events.
The programme gives them a taste of university student life with the aim of encouraging them to consider tertiary study at Otago.
In a survey of this year’s participants, 38 per cent of respondents said they intended to come to Otago before attending Hands-On. After taking part, that number jumped to 53 per cent.
Hands-On at Otago Co-Convenor Dr Lisa Russell says the programme is the second-largest event held on the Dunedin campus after the Otago Open Days. Its success relies on a large contingent of academic and professional staff, and the ‘red shirt’ helpers who support the students while they’re here.
Lisa says it’s not just the students who benefit from the programme and she is encouraging departments to get involved and register their interest in running projects next year. The projects are sessions held over the week that give students the chance to gain an insight into their chosen subjects.
“Participation in Hands-on at Otago is a fantastic opportunity for departments to showcase themselves and the passionate people within. These projects welcome students into our teaching spaces, enabling them to see themselves as future students here at Otago.
“Not only will you inspire and challenge these enthusiastic students while they are here, but they will become ambassadors for your department when they return and share their experience with their family, school and community groups.”
All the moves… students make the most of the opportunity to express themselves through dance.
This year Otago hosted 396 students from 198 schools across the motu.
“What better way to advertise to our future first-year students?” Lisa says.
One of the great things about Hands-On at Otago is the chance for staff to collaborate across departments and divisions to present themed projects. This showcases the variety of study pathways Otago offers to future students.
Lisa says they get great feedback from departments that do run Hands-On projects and are keen to encourage more staff to take part.
“These students will have a huge impact on you and the other staff that work with them as they tackle the projects you have developed for them. You can’t help but be influenced by their enthusiasm and excitement – what a way to start the academic year!”
“Personally, this programme was one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like to thank everyone that made this amazing experience possible, they have done a great job.”
“I really loved this programme and it opened my eyes to what a pharmacist would really do. It’s been so so interesting and I feel super lucky to have been selected for the programme. I was interested in pharmacy before this, but now I think I’m set on studying pharmacy at Otago. Thank you so much again to everyone who made this possible.”
“Prior to this I didn’t know a lot about the university as well as I was considering other universities over this one. After this experience and hearing more about the degree I would like to do and student life it has only solidified my ideas of coming here.”
If your department is keen to participate, please fill out this form by Monday, 26 May. Any questions, email hands-on@otago.ac.nz
Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications