Associate Professor Greg Walker, of the School of Pharmacy, will soon travel to Samoa to share Science of Medicines – Whakatere Waka, developed by Dr Karyn Maclennan, of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine,to teach school pupils and communities about where medicines come from, how they are made, how they work, how to use them safely, and what the future holds.
An Otago academic is heading to Samoa to share a showcase about the science of medicines with communities.
Science of Medicines – Whakatere Waka is a mobile, hands-on, mini exhibition developed by Dr Karyn Maclennan, of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, with assistance from Associate Professor Greg Walker, of the School of Pharmacy, and Tūhura Otago Museum.
It is designed to teach school pupils about where medicines come from, how they are made, how they work, how to use them safely, and what the future holds.
Thanks to support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, Associate Professor Walker, alongside a team from the Museum, will travel to Samoa at the end of the month to tour the showcase.
They will be visiting schools and communities across the islands of Upolo and Savai’I over two weeks.
“We’re really wanting to make the most of the time available to reach those in more remote communities that would otherwise find it difficult to travel to Apia to see the showcases.
“It’s really important everyone has access to this knowledge – accessible health information, which is grounded in science – and these experiences,” Greg says.
The showcase has previously toured Aotearoa New Zealand and received an “overwhelmingly positive” response.
“It was really effective, not only at sharing information about the importance of medicines but also at helping kids to see science as fun, practical, and able to make a huge difference to our lives.”
Alongside Science of Medicines, the Museum will also tour its Far from Frozen showcase.
Far from Frozen is designed to demystify the science behind climate change and its impacts by drawing on the intrigue and mystique of Antarctica. Participants are ‘transported’ to the ice through trying on the clothing Antarctic scientists wear while also checking out the tents in which they live and work when doing field work on the ice.
Dr Craig Grant developed the science showcase model and headed efforts to share the showcases with Pacific nations.
“We first planned to tour Samoa back in 2019, but the measles epidemic intervened, followed by Covid – it’s awesome to finally be able to take the showcases there,” he says.
“We’re massively grateful for the support and opportunity. Given all that Samoa has been through with infectious diseases, and, like other Pacific nations, the imminent threats of climate change, we really hope the showcases will make a difference by helping equip them with the confidence and insights to better face such challenges.”
Craig notes these showcases are not just about understanding the science of medicines and climate change but are also fundamentally about inspiring students to appreciate science can be exciting and is critical to understanding our planet and creating a better tomorrow.
“There’s a huge appetite for hands-on science engagement across the Pacific. Most schools simply don’t have access to these sorts of activities and their students are like sponges, soaking up all the information and asking heaps of questions. They hugely enjoy it and it’s a real delight and privilege to be able to share it with them.”
The showcases will tour from 31 March to 11 April, 2025.