UC opens its doors to the community
30 September 2011
Awesome experiments, robot displays, microscopic gold panning and the biggest bouncy castle in the South Island are just some of the features of the University of Canterbury's Community Open Day tomorrow (1 October).
Awesome experiments, robot displays, microscopic gold panning and the biggest bouncy castle in the South Island are just some of the features of the University of Canterbury's Community Open Day tomorrow (1 October).
The University is opening its doors for this fun, family-friendly event to give the people of Christchurch an opportunity to find out what goes on in the laboratories and other facilities at the Ilam campus, and enjoy live comedy and music.
The programme for the Community Open Day has something for everyone. There will be opportunities to get "hands on" with activities such as extracting iron from breakfast cereal and making fake blood, free classes and climbing wall sessions at the University Recreation Centre, and using hi-tech equipment to see inside your own eardrum.
Other activities include interactive demonstrations on measuring photosynthesis in trees and discussing the importance of trees; the earthquake shake table; mechanical go-karts; unmanned vehicles; Maori bread making and flax weaving.
There will also be lectures on topics such as toxicology, with one of the University's leading experts talking about chemicals found in everyday products such as baked beans, toothpaste, moisturisers and painkillers.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said there will be about 50 events and activities on the programme for the day, with free car parking available on campus.
"We want to throw our doors open and say to the people of Christchurch 'come on in and see what we're up to'. It's going to be a great chance to find out about some of the amazing things our people do here.
"There will be poetry readings and children's book readings, a Rutherford medals display and foreign language films too."
Dr Carr said it is the first time the University has held this kind of family-friendly event, which will give people an opportunity to learn about the University and enjoy the green, open campus.
"The Fine Arts Gallery will be open and there will be food stalls and cafes open. People might even want to bring a picnic and really make a day of it."
More information about the University's Community Open Day and a programme of events can be found at http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/community/.
For more information please contact:
comms@canterbury.ac.nz
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