Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Young scientists

One of this year's Nobel Prize winners has something in common with Rotorua's Dr Angela Sharples.

Dr Sharples was until this month head of biology at Rotorua Boys' High School. She wants the importance of biology to the New Zealand economy recognised and also wants us to value innovative young scientists.

I watched a recent interview with the Nobel Prize winner who was asked "what next now that you've been awarded the Nobel Prize for Science"? He said he was now going to concentrate on the education of young scientists, encourage innovation and promote the use of emerging technology.

Just what Dr Sharples espouses in her science teaching. She brings real business world science experience to her position and her success in this year's Prime Minister's Science Prize, not an insignificant amount of $50,000 for herself and $100,000 for her school is testament to her enquiring scientific mind and inspiring teaching skills. By all accounts she is a standout science teacher and well respected in a number of forums.

The latest Chamber of Commerce magazine Business Rotorua Now also highlights the importance of science for economic growth. It looks at Scion, the Crown Research Institute here in Rotorua, and their contribution over the years to providing the science behind the productive forest industry in New Zealand. They have scientists from around the world working at the cutting edge of research.

The CEO Dr. Warren Parker says "the beauty of science is that once you understand certain fundamental principles, these principles can often be applied more broadly and technologies adapted to suit various applications". Without doubt science is in the air!

So even though it was Christmas week, the busiest time of the year, it was pleasing to see the number of people who attended the launch last week of the new energy strategy for the Bay of Plenty. The Bay of Connections Economic Strategy Group developed the strategy that aims to enhance the value of the region's renewable resources, optimise the region's energy footprint, maximise the economic growth opportunities from renewable energy production and encourage the social benefits of renewable energy production in the region.

Now that's thinking big, bold and out loud. Many of those present had input into the strategy development and agreed it was necessary to look at innovative ways to use our energy resources. It is no longer a case of just looking at the obvious and traditional solar, wind and geothermal prospects. But the timing of the launch may mean that the strategy does not grab the attention of a wider audience. It deserves to.

Everything is now pointing to the need to work collaboratively regionally, as well as across sectors, if we want to create a successful long term regional economy. City and district parochialism should be a thing of the past. If it's good for Western BOP then Rotorua will benefit.

The same applies to the innovative use of abundant energy resources found within the Rotorua District, the whole region will benefit. Young scientists with enquiring minds, not constrained by past thinking, and encouraged by teachers like Dr. Sharples will increase the wealth and well being of people living in the Bay and beyond.

They are what this country needs. But what is most exciting is that although the energy strategy is for the Bay of Plenty it will see business connections being built regionally, nationally and internationally. We will see new energy opportunities being developed in ways we can not imagine at this stage, because of the input and commitment of scientists and other interest groups working together from many sectors, health included.

And the role of dedicated science teachers to the success of this new energy strategy should not be underestimated.