KEY POINTS:
Tried an umbrella suit yet? How about a solar-powered iPod, a sneaker heater or a self-lifting toilet seat?
These curious inventions, and more, are on show until Thursday at the Alexandra Park Raceway Function Centre as part of the Auckland Regional Science and Technology Fair.
The event showcases the scientific endeavours of 278 Auckland students aged 10 to 18 from 23 schools.
Prizes totalling $10,000 have been donated by a range of Auckland businesses and science and technology organisations.
The official prizegiving will be tomorrow night at King's School in Remuera.
Delayne Tutemahurangi, a Year 10 student from Onehunga High School, is displaying his science project, which shows how dirty water from washing machines is just as effective for growing plants as regular water.
"The idea came from helping out my granddad in the garden," he said. "I started thinking of ways to recycle water because we need to find ways to help stop global warming
This is the first time Delayne has shown off his work at an official exhibition, and he said the experience had been fun, as well as challenging.
Yesterday, 80 judges from different areas of the scientific community cast an eye over the exhibits.
Head technology judge Salena Hinchco said inventions such as the umbrella suit developed by Anna-Maria Krstic and Maria Lee, Year 7 and 8 students from Auckland Normal Intermediate School, showed young inventors had a real knack for thinking outside the square.
The fair, sponsored by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, is open to intermediate and secondary schools in the region.
The recipient of the Niwa gold prize for best overall presentation will win a place on the institute's summer internship programme.
The lucky student will also be nominated for a place at the national Genesis Energy Realise the Dream festival in December.
The fair is open to the public between 9am and 4pm.
