UNESCO New Zealand

Outstanding Cambridge High School Year 13 student, Jake Martin, has won this year’s UNESCO Senior Student Award in the national science and research, Realise the Dream competition.

“Jake’s innovative research has the potential produce some revolutionary new materials. For a scientist of any age, these inventions are truly exceptional,” says NZ National Commission for UNESCO chair, Bryan Gould.

“UNESCO’s natural science programme aims to promote sustainable development options and champion science and research amongst secondary schools.  Jake’s project encompasses both of these visions.”

Over the past year, Jake discovered that charcoal produced by his clean wood burning engine  - last year’s supreme Realise the Dream winner - was paramagnetic.  This was a significant discovery that saw him working long hours alongside scientists at WaikatoUniversity where he is also taking some university papers.  As well as a top scientist and inventor, 18-year-old Jake is also a champion rower and House Leader at his college.

Twenty nine extraordinary science students from all over New Zealand are selected to take part in the annual Realise the Dream event that is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand.  Genesis Energy is the event’s principal sponsor, Dairy NZ and the NZ National Commission for UNESCO are supporting partners.

All participants took part in a six-day series of events in December 2009 with winners announced tonight at an awards dinner in Wellington.

“Every young researcher selected to take part in Realise the Dream are innovators and leaders in their fields.  I congratulate them all on their determination, acumen and enquiring minds,” says Mr Gould.

UNESCO is the only United Nations specialised agency with a specific mandate to promote science and education. "Realise the Dream" sits within UNESCO's commitment to science and its recognition of the role the application of science plays in international cooperation towards peace, human rights and development.