I  not only run CAMLABZ  but am also an amateur scientist. I have many interests from personal theories on the formation of the universe – Don’t we all? – right down to simple Microscopy, Carnivorous plants, bugs, Peoples behaviour and much more – my interests tend to jump around considerably.

Science Equipment for Trade

If you are looking for Science equipment but don’t want to shell out the old hard earned, then have a look at the ‘TRADE GOODS’ page. This page will let you get rid of old or unwanted equipment in exchange or part exchange for shiny new equipment  

Collaboration…

I hope any other Amateur Scientists / Inventors will feel free to write in and comment, perhaps share some of their ideas and projects, perhaps start some collaborated work.  The internet along with google maps is a powerful tool that just demands such teamwork. Amateurs all over the world are making very real and important daily contributions to science.

A rant about ‘Amateur’ detractors….

Many people scoff when the word ‘amateur’ comes up in the same sentence as science, they think of those idiots who claim to have discovered fusion with a piece of copper wire and a old transistor radio. Or maybe the idiots who just like blowing things up… not that blowing things up ‘scientifically’ isn’t fun, but if all you want is the big bangs and you hurt people or property, that isn’t science, it is sadism and vandalism and such behaviour is  usually performed by people who don’t stop to think and reason, a requirement of science, even amateur science.

I am not a name dropper, but just a few ‘Amateur’ scientists have included;

oh… Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Archemedies,  Franklin, Edison, bell, Wright brothers,  Mendel, Faraday,Ford

of course it can be argued that many of these turned professional or had professional training, however often their greatest discoveries were of their own or in areas of interest not employment – wasn’t one employed as a patent clerk?

An amateur is not dictated to by policy, often spends more time on a project then a professional and does it not to survive, but from a desire to accomplish or  a love of the game – this description could equally represent a Olympic hopeful, a pre-professional Allblack or the lady in Dunedin who sets out corrugated iron for Lizards to be able to hide and live free from domestic pets that kill them – the guy with 25 aquariums and 20 years experience breeding guppies – the woman who takes in injured sea birds and nurses them, rehabilitates them and reintroduces them into the wild – the group that puts in a natural wetland area on a farm to encourage sustainable farming – the weird pasty skinned guy that is up all night with a telescope and the kid who builds a worm farm and learns how neat and efficient nature is…

these people may often learn more on their pet projects without formal training then many professionals as  often the professionals have to take work as funding permits rather then for what truly interests them.

So What is Amateur science in NZ?

ANYTHING!

• Developing new (cultivars) plant varieties
• Inventing in the garage
• Tracking monarch butterfly migrations
• Counting native bird nesting sites
• Testing water ways for nitrates / pollution
• Improving fuel mixes for model rockets
• Reporting whale / shark sightings
• Testing new home made organics for insect repellents
• Meteor searching
• Fossil hunting
• Prospectors
• etc…

These are all done by people working away adding to the store of knowledge, small or large  contributions from people of all skill levels, back grounds, skin colours and religions.

We need to hear from more amateurs please write in