ESSENZ are please to announce our first national subject association conference. Thanks to funding from the US Embassy to NZ and Networks of Expertise, we're able to bring some amazing guest speakers and opportunities for you.  

Programme:

Monday 22nd September: 

Field trip to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world's youngest geothermal system with some subject and volcanic experts as your guides.

Tuesday 23rd September:

Key Note: 

Dr. Mitch Schulte is a Program Scientist with the Mars Exploration Program in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. As a Program Scientist, Mitch is responsible for and manages the science content of a number of NASA's Mars missions. Currently, he oversees the Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity), the U.S. contribution to the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument on the European Space Agency ExoMars rover mission, and NASA's Mars 2020 Rover mission. He is also the lead scientist for for the Mars Data Analysis and Habitable Worlds Programs for the Mars Exploration Program and Planetary Science Division. As a researcher, Mitch has focused primarily on understanding the geology and geochemistry of hydrothermal environments and the life that inhabits them. He also is interested in biosignatures and life detection in ancient Earth and extraterrestrial samples. 

Dr. Graham Lau is a communicator of science and a geomicrobiologist. His graduate research has focused on characterizing the geochemistry and mineralogy of sulfur-rich deposits and alteration features at the Borup Fiord Pass sulfide spring system in the Canadian High Arctic. This has included detections of unexpected and rare forms of elemental sulfur (beta- and gamma-cyclooctasulfur) as well as an exotic form of hydrated sulfate carbonate (rapidcreekite) in the Borup system. Graham is interested in determining the role that biology may play in the formation of these rare mineral forms as well as what these findings may mean for the search for extraterrestrial life on worlds such as Mars and Europa. Furthermore, Graham specializes in sharing science with the public; from public talks and blogging to museum exhibit facilitation, Graham has found a variety of methods to communicate science with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Workshops: TBC

Venue:

Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga

Registration:

Cost for the conference is $110

Some funding may be available to support attendance at the conference. Please indicate this on your registration form.

You can find the registration form here

Funding Support:

ESSENZ have some NEX funding available to pay for registration and travel for approximately 20 people who live outside of Tauranga.  Please indicate this on your registration form.

PPTA also have funds of $750 funds available to support attendance at subject association conferences. You can apply for PPTA preapproval here.