A dozen secondary school students from Bethlehem's Te Wharekura o Mauao will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip this weekend to help inspire the next generation of Maori innovators.

Twelve students from the Maori immersion school will visit Silicon Valley and Stanford University near San Francisco, California, and meet with entrepreneurs, investors, PhD students and Stanford professors while working on bioengineering, virtual reality and income inequality projects.

Taituha Waller, 15, Cijae Lovett, 13, and Ben Etuale, 14, before they leave for the airport. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Year 10 student Ben Etuale, 14, says all the boys are excited to get out of school for a few weeks and go overseas to see how other schools and universities operate.

'I think as a group we're all looking forward to going to Standford University.”

Ben says one of the main reasons they are going is to see the science technology.

'We're really keen to get into their facilities and see what they're up to.

'What I would like to see is their science facilities because as a Maori school we don't really get exposed to that sort of stuff, so I'm keen to see what new technology they are using.”

Ben is aiming to pursue a career in science, particularly marine science, when he finishes university.

'In school, I'm really into astronomy and marine science, getting into the water and all that stuff,” says Ben.

The week-long trip is being funded in partnership with Kumikumi Trust (Tauranga), Callaghan Innovation and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and is supported by Anne Gibbon of Matri Design LLC (a former fellow of Stanford University).

Students will be accompanied by their principal, Koa Douglas, and the school's Head of Technology, Grant Ranui. NZQA's Deputy Chief Executive Māori Daryn Bean will also attend to evaluate how the students find the programme, along with representatives from Kumikumi Trust and Callaghan Innovation.

Hemi Rolleston, Callaghan Innovation GM Maori Economy, says the trip is a wonderful opportunity to encourage Maori children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

'This is the first trip of its kind and is a chance for both Callaghan Innovation and NZQA to combine our resources and help these children engage with experts in the technology and innovation fields.

'Our job at Callaghan Innovation is to support hi-tech New Zealand businesses and this is a great way to encourage tomorrow's young innovators and get them excited about the world of possibilities that lie ahead.”

Hemi and his colleagues have helped provide key connections for the students' visit.

'Silicon Valley is one of the places on earth most alive with ideas, and Stanford is one of the most interdisciplinary and well-connected universities in the world,” he says.

'This trip is a priceless opportunity for them to hone their entrepreneurial skills, build creative confidence and embrace innovative thinking. Everyone involved in this delegation wants to help inspire these children to consider future careers in science and technology.

The students range from Year 8 to Year 10 and were chosen from a group of 25 that originally applied.

Each applicant had to design and present a playground concept for their school, explaining how it catered for the individual needs of different year levels. Students also wrote an essay to their principal outlining their skills, goals and why they should be chosen, and underwent a formal interview.

'Te Wharekura o Mauao originally planned to take 10 students but the high calibre of applicants meant 12 were eventually selected,” explains Hemi.

The group will fly from Auckland to San Francisco today and will return home on Sunday, October 25.