Science & Technology

Nurturing ideas and talent to help innovators build ‘new’ into science and technology projects that lead to useful outcomes.

Concept

Science and technology provide the framework for practical human life as we know it. They have become highly developed over many years. Science essentially provides us with the ‘whys’ for our activities, and Technology with the ‘hows’.

The development and extension of science and technology depend on continual refreshment from the ideas of people, and then the building of these ideas into practical outcomes.

All forms of science and technology need to be continually replenished through creativity that is initiated and developed by active individuals and groups. The mainspring comes from the new ideas and their development, but there may be constraints from resourcing problems.

The major objective of the Earle Creativity and Development Trust is to help to build ‘new’ into science and technology by helping with finance.

Scope

Grants will be substantially in the area of technology (and background science where needed). Possibilities are wide, including aspects of engineering, metalworking, electronics, information technology, ceramics, woodworking, processing of biological or other materials including food, manufacturing. Beneficiaries could include individuals or groups, including small and medium-sized businesses.

Anyone resident in or closely connected with, the Manawatū and Rangitīkei region can apply. The grants will be for individuals or groups: working in suitable environments: building knowledge, skills and products and embodying their creative ideas in tangible items such as designs or software or prototype products. There may be ideas which need more information, or design work, or enhanced understanding of the concept, or background knowledge, or assessment of consumer needs, product prototypes. It might be possible to suggest support for projects where local expertise is available.

Grants should encourage technical abilities and technology in the region, and so result in charitable outcomes for the benefit of the districts, such as job creation.

2022

  • Nelson Harper - Precycle NZ Resource, Phase 2

2020

  • Dr Rafea Naffa – to bring science outside the lab to the public and create a foundation for an innovative science laboratory which will provide our children with an opportunity to learn, develop, explore and discover the wonders of science through a safe, fun and low cost environment.

  • Mark Anderson, Ursamed Limited – design a realistic bleeding simulator to allow for clear structure for full design.

  • Phil Burt, St Peter’s College – development of artificial intelligence (AI) for robotics and an Advanced Manufacturing Competition to enable students to develop their computer programming skills in a real-world environment. The Advanced Manufacturing Competition uses a system of student designed, built and programmed conveyor belt systems and multi-arm robots.

2018

2016

  • Biological Systems Modeling Limited (Gabe Redding) – for the development of a holographic rugby simulation.

  • Kevin Tong – for the development of an electric bike that carries up to two passengers.

  • Ben Pedersen – for the development of an automated nematodes counter, to assist in animal health management and parasite research.

  • Jessica White – for the development of an animated children’s book.

  • Te Manawa Museums Trust – to develop a ‘hands-on lab’ and ‘robotics workshops’.

  • Rangitīkei College – for the purchase of a Farmbot for Teaching Science and Technology.

2014

  • Science Haven – to assist in the development of a quantitative dual assay urine test with low sensitivity to ambient temperature.

  • Prescient Nutrition – to carry out a feasibility study to assess the viability of using insects to convert organic waste to nutritional food products.

  • Stephen Bently – to develop a Roller Blaster to clean paint rollers.

Previous winners