Rotorua students' science holiday break

John Paul College's Shulan Qiu attended the youth science camp in Melbourne. Photo/Supplied

Behind-the-scenes tours, lectures with leading scientists, and hands-on research was how two Rotorua students spent their school holidays.

Nikora Wade, a prefect at Rotorua Boys' High School, and Shulan Qiu from John Paul College were two of seven students selected by the Royal Society Te Aparangi to attend Youth ANZAAS (Australia New Zealand Advancement of Science).

It was a five-day residential camp in Melbourne for Year 12 and Year 13 students who have a passion for science.

"I made heaps of mates and it was a learning experience," Nikora said.

"They had a physics lecturer that I found intriguing - so it's exposed me to other career paths in science."

The 17-year-old wants to study medicine next year at the University of Auckland.

"I was really honoured to have this opportunity, it has pushed me more to where I want to go."

Rotorua Boys' High School student Nikora Wade wants to study medicine at the University of Auckland. Photo/Supplied

The Youth ANZAAS camp involved 40 other Australian senior secondary school students for a full science programme which included both lectures and hands-on learning in the areas of engineering, medical research, astronomy, chemistry, and physics.

They group stayed at the International House at the University of Melbourne.

Year 13 student Shulan Qiu, 17, said she had a great time at the camp.

She said her favourite part was visiting the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research where the group were given a lab tour and a lecture on how "maths can be used to solve biological questions".

Shulan said she planned to study science at the University of Otago.

They visited the RMIT University of Technology, Melbourne University, CSIRO, and took part in social outings.

A spokeswoman for Royal Society Te Aparangi said that many students throughout the country had applied for this opportunity.

"They were selected not only because they were achieving very highly academically in science but they are also contributing to their school community in other ways, such as leadership and mentoring roles."