For a term and a half my school has been preparing for a science fair. Finally we were all ready for the science fair, so we set everything up in the hall. Each class took turns entering the hall having a look around, but the expo was also open during after school hours and before school hours. 

As soon as I entered the hall the Kotuku’s table caught my eye, so that’s where I went first. There were lots of little games/contraptions like giant volcano chatter boxes and a fishing game. There were diagrams of volcanoes to show parts of a volcano. And clay objects to show their understanding of solids liquids and gases.  There was a QR code that led you to a kahoot about volcanoes. A new fact I learnt was that in a volcano the magma chamber is where rocks are created to make magma.

Next I went to the Tui table. There was a pottery station and a fabric station. I didn’t spend much time at that table but I learnt padded fabrics keep you warm, nylon keeps you the driest and cotton is the most flame resistant fabric. 

Afterwards, I visited the Kiwi and Kakapo table. The kiwis had lots of little experiments. They made rock candy and pinch pots. The kakapos had made lots of plant based things. They made leaf imprints and pressed flower art. I found everything really cute until Shabd and Almaan created a big mess with the experiments they weren’t allowed to touch.

The pukekos did a lot of edible science. The food experiments were all chemical reactions like hokey pokey. Some of the foods they made were cookies, butter, ice cream, egg in vinegar and more. I learnt that egg yolk is one of the only foods that naturally include vitamin d.

Now I can tell you about the intermediate Kahus. The’re presentations were a whole level up. There were realistic volcanoes on a mat that was a map of the north island showing where the volcanoes are based. On the volcanoes were pieces of paper showing information of that volcano and a QR code that takes you to a video on further information of that volcano. Something I found really cool was that they were playing a volcano song in the background. 

One part of their presentation were real life miniature houses made of wood and real materials you would use. The houses were showing insulation. There is a silent auction for the houses starting at $50. 

Some of the presentation was all about eating healthy and being physically healthy. There were laptops playing educational videos and posters of healthy eating diets and facts. 

Another part was about biosecurity, I didn’t understand much about it until I saw this part of the expo. There were lots of posters educating people about the animals. 

My favourite part was the survival table. It was a table full of survival knowledge. There was a display of a signalling kit and a first aid kit. There was lots of first aid information and tips and tricks on surviving in the wilderness. It reminded me of Bear Grylls. 

While visiting the science fair I noticed there were lots of little plays/clips that kept me interested.  I really enjoyed learning new facts and seeing all the cool creations. It ends at 4:30pm  Friday 25 November. Come by and watch the volcano erupt at 3pm on Friday. 

P.S. If you do come bring some cash because Mrs Davies and some volunteers are selling preserved foods in a jar made here by S.T.E.A.M. group and were selling some of Mrs Davies’s veggies from our school garden and eggs from our school chooks.

There have been many stories and theories about the Masquerade. Some say the Masquerade was created in a lab, or it is a mythical creature only visible to some. The truth behind the Masquerade may be a mystery, but I have actually met one before so I can tell you all about the Masquerade. 

The Masquerade isn’t a mix between any animals, it is its own kind. It It is a cute little furry creature. Its fur colours can range from baby blue, light grey, and a beautiful lavender. Along with their main fur colours, Masquerades also have patches of white in random places. Their hands and feet are similar to the humans’, with little fingers and toes that have sharp claws at the end. To keep the Masquerade’s balance they have a REALLY fluffy tail at the back of them.

The powers of a Masquerade are powerful and aren’t like any other. Behind all the cuteness, is a powerful and magical creatures. Their powers are to gain the abilities of the animal they last killed and ate, draining the blood and dna is the key to their power. There is a downside to it, they can’t obtain the abilities of an animal they ate if it wasn’t the most recent.

Masquerades can live in any habitat because they can quickly grow their fur to keep them warm from the cold, or if it’s too hot they can shave off their fur quickly. Because of its powers the Masquerade lives in plain sight not afraid to get caught. If it did get caught in its own shape it would freeze pretending to be a doll of some sort. 

There are many names the creature is called, from Troglodyte to creepy animal that gains abilities of other creatures (CATGAOOC).With all the names out there I like to call it the Masquerade. The name Masquerade means pretending to be something it’s not. 

Despite the cuteness and dark soul, Masquerades actually have some personality traits like us humans. Masquerades are smart enough to survive in plain sight on their own. But they are also loving and caring to other Masquerades. It’s not like they go out everyday hunting and killing like a monster, they eat 3 times a day and maybe have 1 or 2 small snacks. 

To all the Masquerade haters trying to kill Masquerades, you don’t need to do that. Masquerades are similar to lions or tigers, they are just killing to survive or for their families. I don’t think you would want to kill a tiger or lion (they would probably kill you first) so don’t go trying to kill a Masquerade. Masquerades are just doing it’s nature.

(I need a nickname or shorter name for Masquerade, because my hand and fingers are tired of writing that long name over and over.)