Capturing the moment… Hands-On at Otago student ‘blue shirts’ and the ‘red shirt’ helpers who were part of the programme in 2024.
There will be excitement, nervousness and plenty of noise when hundreds of secondary school students arrive in Dunedin on Sunday to try out campus life at Otago.
From 12 to 17 January, 396 students from 205 schools around Aotearoa New Zealand will take part in Whai Wheako i Ōtākou, Hands-On at Otago. This fun, immersive programme gives senior secondary students (those who will be in Years 12 and 13 in 2025) a taste of Otago student life, with the aim of encouraging them to consider tertiary study, especially at Otago.
Based at residential college Te Rangihīroa, the students will try out university subjects and take part in a wide range of research projects including lab work, theatre and dance, and solving a murder mystery. They also have social and recreational activities to keep them busy.
Hands-On at Otago Co-Convenor Dr Lisa Russell says staff put a lot of effort into creating great interactive experiences for the students.
“It’s wonderful to see these young people grow in confidence over the week as they try out so many different activities and have lots of fun with their peers from around the country. They really get a sense of all the amazing programmes and experiences that Otago has to offer.
“Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is a place of many firsts so it’s fitting that for some of these students this is their first time away from home, their first time in Dunedin, their first interaction with tertiary study and their first time performing a lip-sync!”
Lucy Hughes
Assistant camp manager Lucy Hughes can vouch for the impact of the programme – she has been a ‘red shirt’ since 2019, looking after and supporting the students (‘blue shirts’), and it’s influenced her decision to become a secondary school teacher.
Although Lucy didn’t attend Hands-On as a secondary school student, a few of her friends did and that inspired her to get involved while she was studying at Otago.
“Every single year I've done Hands-On at Otago I've had an absolute blast. I love helping to run a hectic week and make new friends, but most of all I love connecting with the students and inspiring them to take their place at Otago, or wherever that may be.
“Working with young people, especially in this programme, I find really energising, and it inspires me as well to be the best I can be for them.”
She says not only is the programme a great way for high school students to challenge themselves and grow, but it’s also a really good opportunity for University students and staff to challenge themselves too.
Lucy completed her PhD in Chemistry in September and has since been doing research at Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka. She has applied to study teaching there this year and says she was always interested in teaching, but her role with Hands-On “absolutely influenced my decision”.
“Doing Hands-On, and interacting with young people from all over the motu, from all different backgrounds, is what really pushed me into secondary school teaching.”
Lisa says this year the programme will include a couple of new tasters, which are afternoon sessions that give students a chance to sample a range of other activities, both on and off campus. Groups will visit Hocken Collections to get a behind-the-scenes introduction to one of Aotearoa’s most historically significant heritage collections.
Students will also have a chance to see what sustainability looks like on the Dunedin campus. They will visit Te Oraka, the student-led circular economy hub and then check out one of the Sustainability Neighbourhoods to help monitor the biodiversity that is being supported through gardening activities and no-mow zones.
In 2025, about a quarter of those attending will be Māori and Pacific students, there will be 44 international students and 142 of the cohort will be on a scholarship.
“The support from our scholarship providers is so important as it means more students can take part and it helps us attract a diverse range of students,” Lisa says.
- Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications