Astrobiology Conference 2025
- Lian Soh
- May 3
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5
The New Zealand Astrobiology Network (NZAN) and the Earth Space Science Educators NZ (ESSENZ) are proud to bring the first Earth & Space Science conference to our rohe in September. This opportunity is open to primary, intermediate and secondary teachers.
You don't need to be an Earth and Space teacher, you just need to be passionate about Space, Astrobiology and meeting very cool people!
NZAN has secured two amazing guests from the USA. Dr. Mitch Schulte (Lead program Scientist for NASA's Mars Rover program, and Dr. Graham Lau (Astrobiologist and Science communicator with Blue Marble Institute).
Programme:
Monday 22nd September:
Field trip to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world's youngest geothermal system with some subject and volcanic experts as your guides.
Tuesday 23rd September:
Key Note:
Dr. Mitch Schulte is a Program Scientist with the Mars Exploration Program in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. As a Program Scientist, Mitch is responsible for and manages the science content of a number of NASA's Mars missions. Currently, he oversees the Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity), the U.S. contribution to the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument on the European Space Agency ExoMars rover mission, and NASA's Mars 2020 Rover mission. He is also the lead scientist for for the Mars Data Analysis and Habitable Worlds Programs for the Mars Exploration Program and Planetary Science Division. As a researcher, Mitch has focused primarily on understanding the geology and geochemistry of hydrothermal environments and the life that inhabits them. He also is interested in biosignatures and life detection in ancient Earth and extra-terrestrial samples.
Dr. Graham Lau is a communicator of science and a geomicrobiologist. His graduate research has focused on characterizing the geochemistry and mineralogy of sulfur-rich deposits and alteration features at the Borup Fiord Pass sulfide spring system in the Canadian High Arctic. This has included detections of unexpected and rare forms of elemental sulfur (beta- and gamma-cyclooctasulfur) as well as an exotic form of hydrated sulfate carbonate (rapidcreekite) in the Borup system. Graham is interested in determining the role that biology may play in the formation of these rare mineral forms as well as what these findings may mean for the search for extra-terrestrial life on worlds such as Mars and Europa. Furthermore, Graham specializes in sharing science with the public; from public talks and blogging to museum exhibit facilitation, Graham has found a variety of methods to communicate science with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Workshops: TBC
Venue:
Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga
Registration:
Cost for the conference is $110
Some funding may be available to support attendance at the conference. Please indicate this on your registration form.
This opportunity is open to primary, intermediate and secondary teachers.
Public events are also available on the 24th of September (see related posts below).
Acknowledgements: A big thank you to Jim Critchley (jimc@mmc.school.nz) for sharing this article and ESSENZ and NZAN for organising this opportunity. Jim is the Bay of Plenty Regional Representative for ESSENZ.
Please contact info@bayscience.nz in the event of any errors/suggestions or if you would like to contribute a spotlight article.
