With a growing shortage of scientists, Auckland University has been coming up with new ways to keep secondary students focussed on science.
The University's Liggins Institute is running series of networked seminars targeting key concepts in the school biology curriculum.
Dr Jo Perry is one of the country's leading young scientists. She is an expert in breast cancer research and has decided to share her knowledge with nearly 1,000 school children.
Perry is one of a team of scientists taking part in a series of seminars beamed straight into classrooms via Kordia satellite link.
The seminars show kids the real world applications of science, linking theory and practical aspects.
"They learn about some of the techniques that we might use in our research and as part of the seminar series we get to put that into the context of how we use it in our research on a day to day basis,” says Dr Jo Perry.
The remote link makes the seminar a cheaper and easier alternative, because the event comes to them.
"Our students don't have contact with these sorts of people. We have to hop on a bus and go to Auckland which we can do, but obviously there are costs and all sorts of organisational problems that go with that so the students can get opportunities that they wouldn't normally get," says Otumoetai College Teacher Jean Grattan.
It seems the interactive seminars are proving popular with the students.
The Liggins Institute wants is to encourage more youngsters to seriously consider science as a future career option.
"It breaks down some of the stereotypes that they have about scientists, scientists are like them, it's just that they have a passion and enthusiasm to do science, they're not boffins, they not strange people they're just passionate about what they do," says Professor Wayne Cutfield - Deputy Director of Liggins.
And it's people like Dr Perry who might just help youngsters achieve that goal.