07-08-2025
Student's self-deployable raft takes top prize
A Dunedin intermediate student's potentially life-saving invention has resulted in him beating much older pupils for the top prize at this year's science fair.
Balmacewen Intermediate School student Ben Walker won the top award for his self-deployable raft for use in floods or tsunami.
For his efforts, he was given the Best in Fair Award at the Aurora Energy Science and Technology fair this year.
Fair convener Steven Sexton said it was the first time in about 10 years a year 8 student had been awarded best in fair.
Ben's project stood out for its uniqueness to the judges.
Aurora Energy Science and Technology Fair Best in Fair award winner Ben Walker, 13, with his self-deployable raft flood protection project ''flood buddy''. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
His design featured a shipping container storage unit with four holes in it that would release an emergency raft when it filled with water if there was a flood, monsoon or tsunami.
Ben said he saw the flooding in South Dunedin and in Texas on the news and wanted to come up with a solution for it.
The design could be used at a base for rescuers to help survivors.
He had to do a lot of calculations to control the weight of the craft and container and keep it cost-effective.
He was proud to win because he put a lot of effort into the project.
In the future, Ben wanted to become an engineer.
This year, the science fair had about 280 entries from years 7-13 students from schools across Otago.
The entries are on display at Tūhura Otago Museum until Sunday.
