The Symbiosis of Creativity and Science – Victoria’s Forum Experience
Number 13 from Orange Group, or Victoria as she’s known to most, speaks about her time at the 2023 Rotary National Science & Technology Forum and how she discovered she doesn’t have to sacrifice her passion for creativity to pursue science.
I come from Whanganui and attend a small high school. I love the atmosphere there but coming to the Forum allowed me to be more immersed in the science and technology which has been a thrilling change and I hope to return to continue my university education next year.
I remember so vividly, approximately two weeks ago, a group of 168 students- a sea of unfamiliar faces- gathered in a room being welcomed into the 2023 Rotary Forum. Now as I look across the room, I see friendly faces, I see a family, and I see the future of New Zealand’s best and curious minds.
I initially came to the Forum confused about whether my creativity and science could mix. I knew I was interested in chemistry and biology but also loved English. So, this experience at Forum was going to send me in one of two directions. Nevertheless, it was Monday January 16th 2023, sometime between 9am and midday, where I had an epiphany. It was the Biomedical module and I was concerned about fainting. The last dissection I did was the cow’s eye in Year 9, where I was on the ground before the teacher even said ‘start’. But being at the Forum has pushed me out of my comfort zone and reminded me to try everything; so, I did. The lecturer said something that has stayed with me, “It depends how you look at it, science can actually be really beautiful.” I saw that science can be another outlet for self-expression. I don’t need to kill my creativity or passion but I believe it’s exactly what science and technology needs to enhance ideas to serve others; which is ultimately what I seek to achieve.
Another highlight for me was just everything that Orange Group did; from our number off’s, to singing on the buses, to learning at the modules, to playing volleyball together, winning, and all the moments in between. I’ve been away from my twin brother throughout Forum- which is actually the longest we’ve been apart for. But my experience here has been so fulfilling that missing him subsided and what started out as strangers, now the people in Orange Group feel like a family to me, who have all supported one another to become the best versions of ourselves. So, thank you Orange, yours truly, Number 13.
Moreover, every module I have been to all involved various fields but they all had one aspect in common— the PASSION the lecturers have for what they have devoted their lives to, which has truly inspired me to make sure that what I do in science, it comes from the heart; so many thanks to each and every single one of you for taking your time to enlighten all of us. And thank you to the advisors for your constant high energy and passion with organising such amazing activities like the tech visits to broaden our horizons even more and for events like the Quiz we did at the start and then the Talent Quest recently. I would highly recommend the Forum experience to others, as it’s one of a kind and worth it for students to discover WHO they are and share this with likeminded people.
Now I feel ready and enthusiastic to take on the next step and offer everything that I am. I want to inspire young minds back home like I have been inspired during my time here, but also unite my school as a family in the way that I will lead. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent myself, my family, community and school. May we all leave behind our own legacy for the future generations to look up to.