Welcome to the Cawthron Scitec Expo.
This event encourages and supports Nelson Tasman students to pursue STEAMs – science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
Our founder, Thomas Cawthron, believed science was the key to a better future. This event sees local schools, organisations and businesses collaborating to inspire the next generation of scientists in Te Tau Ihu.
Scitec Expo
The Expo runs every second year and is open to Nelson Tasman students from Years 1-13 to enter science, research, technology or art projects. These are displayed at the Expo and reviewed by a team of judges who interview students as part of the assessment process. This year’s expo was held on 19 and 20 August 2025 at Founders Park in Nelson.
Thank you!
Our 2025 Expo saw 240 science experiment, research, technology and art exhibits created by students from 18 schools on display at Founder’s Heritage Park in Nelson on 19-20 August 2025. These projects were assessed by more than 50 volunteer judges.
Cawthron Institute thanks all of our sponsors (see below), with a special mention of our major sponsors — Nelson Pine Industries, Ngāti Rārua, Nelson Science Society, Plant & Food Research, SciPad and University of Otago — whose support makes this event possible. Cawthron also acknowledges the many teachers, volunteers and community members who help nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators as part of this event.
Scroll down for more information about the event.
Scitec 2025 timeline
Tuesday 6 May
– Registrations opened online.
Monday 28 July
– Registrations closed.
Thursday 14 August
– Deadline for communication award videos and digital entries to be submitted. Emailed to foundation@cawthron.org.nz.
Monday 18 August
– Physical projects dropped off at Energy Centre at Founders Park between 2pm and 5.30pm.
Tuesday 19 August
– Judging Interviews 9am – 3pm. These were scheduled in school groups and offered via video conferencing where required.
– Public viewing 3:30pm – 5.30pm.
Wednesday 20 August
– Remaining judging interviews and conclusion of expo.
Wednesday 15 October
– Prize winners celebrated at a prizegiving ceremony held at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre in Stoke.
Become a Scitec judge.
We rely on a large team of volunteer judges to make this educational opportunity available to the tamariki of our region.
Do you have what it takes to guide students on their journey of scientific discovery? If so, we’d love you to be involved in our next Scitec Expo in 2027.
Platinum Sponsor.
Our tremendous thanks to Nelson Pine Industries Ltd for their ongoing generous support of the Cawthron Scitec Expo.
Gold Sponsors.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsors for supporting this year’s Scitec Expo.
Silver Sponsors.
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors confirmed so far.
Bronze Sponsors.
Soroptimist International Waimea
The New Zealand Statistical Association
Become a Scitec sponsor.
Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about sponsoring Scitec. Our next Scitec Expo will be held in 2027.