House of Science Tauranga scooped the Supreme Award at the 2015 Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards last night.

The accolades were announced and presented at Tauranga Golf Club in front of almost 120 spectators – the majority of whom were also volunteers.

House of Science aims to enrich science education across the community. Photo: Supplied.

On behalf of their group, representatives of House of Science Tauranga received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 in prize money.

They will also will have the opportunity to represent their region at the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards in Dunedin next March.

In total, Trustpower gave away over $5000 to various community groups through the awards.

Trustpower community relations representative Jess Somerville says House of Science Tauranga is effectively a group of people passionate about resourcing and connecting the local science community.

'By enriching science education across the Bay they hope to increase the number and quality of students engaged with science,” says Jess.

'They achieve this by creating and delivering fantastic resources to schools right across the community, offering a tutoring service to students and professional development courses for all teachers.

'They also run a robotics club and popular after school and holiday programmes for youth. These opportunities to upskill are taken up by around 100 families and 120 teachers per term.

'Behind the scenes of this successful operation are 35 volunteers who, combined, contribute around 500 hours a month.

'In fact it's been so successful that through no marketing, other branches of House of Science have begun across the North Island.”

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby says House of Science Tauranga are inspiring future leaders in an industry calling out for more qualified professionals.

'House of Science Tauranga is a really unique model that is producing remarkable results across the Bay,” explains Stuart.

'It's wonderful to be able to acknowledge the committed volunteers who make this all happen.”

The competition for this year's Awards was strong, with 52 entries received.

The category winners are:

Heritage and Environment: Tauranga Classic Flyers Volunteers

Health and Well Being: Bay of Plenty District Health Board volunteers

Arts and Culture: The Incubator

Sports and Leisure: Otumoetai Swimming Club Committee

Education and Child Youth Development: TEDxTauranga

Supreme Winner: House of Science Tauranga

Youth Community Spirit Award: Jacques Glover of Otumoetai College