The Science Teachers Association of Tasmania Inc

“Promoting Scientific Literacy Through Education”.

Tasmanian Science Talent Search - 2017

“Future Earth”

An amazing opportunity for Senior students.

STAT is excited to announce an opportunity for a Senior Student Fellowship to the value of $1,000. This is a new award in 2017.

Students from year 9 – 12 are contenders for this fellowship which will be awarded as a result of a quality entry in either the Engineering or Research Investigation section of the TSTS.

Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd has elected to support student efforts in science through the Tasmanian Science Talent Search and as a result has provided Tasmanian students with fantastic opportunities. Smaller but significant awards for students from years 7 to 12 will also be made available. For details on how to support your students to take part see the information for relevant sections and instructions on how to enter.

Tasmanian Science Talent Search - 2017What do you need to know?1. What is the Tasmanian Science Talent Search? Page 1

a. How do Students Enter? Page 1b. Payment details Page 1c. What are the entry fees? Page 1d. Benefits for STAT members Page 1e. How to become a STAT Member Page 1f. Where to send entries Page 1g. Judging of entries Page 2h. Presentation of prizes Page 2i. Recognition of student work Page 2j. What will winners receive? Page 2k. Standard of entries Page 2l. Mentoring for students – they can have help Page 2

2. 2017 Theme Based Sections – “Future Earth”?a. Posters Page 3b. Creative Writing Page 4c. Photographic Essays Page 4d. Digital Interactives Page 5e. Information sessions to support teachers Page 5

3. Technology Challenge Page 6a. Details of the Challenge Page 6b. Registration of entry and judging details Page 6b. Support for teachers Page 6

4. Engineering Challenge Page 7a. Judging Criteria Page 7b. Registration of entry and judging details Page 7

5. Research Investigation Page 7a. Choosing a topic Page 7b. Judging Criteria Page 7

6. Entry form Page 87. Celebrating National Success Page 9

What’s New in 2017For teachers:

More support to get started

Information sessions in regional areas

Experienced teachers to provide mentor’s advice

Winning entry in 2016 Technology Challenge

For students: $1000 Fellowship for a

senior student Increased prize value

for all winning students

1. What is the Tasmanian Science Talent Search?The Tasmanian Science Talent Search (TSTS) is an initiative of the Science Teachers Association of the Tasmania Inc (STAT). TSTS is supported by an enthusiastic and committed group of sponsors. STAT’s philosophy is to celebrate quality science teaching and learning in all Tasmanian Schools through the recognition of outstanding work in a variety of scientific areas.

Sections: There are seven sections in TSTS to allow for individual students’ preferred learning styles. These are made up of theme related sections and open sectionsSee information beginning on page 1 for details of the themed sections.

Divisions: Each section is divided into year group divisions. In Primary, the divisions are Early

Childhood (K-2), Lower Primary (3-4) and Upper Primary (5-6).

In Secondary, the division are Junior Secondary (7-8) Intermediate Secondary (9-10) and Senior Secondary (11-12).

How do students enter? Every entry requires an entry form for

each student or group of students – See page 8 for entry form. There is a small entry fee.

Schools with more than 5 entries are asked to provide a typed cover list of the student names for entries including details of division, section & teacher details.

Payment: STAT will invoice the school for all entries submitted following the closing date for entries. Please check that the School Business manager’s details are recorded on the entry form in the appropriate place.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH ENTRIES – YOUR SCHOOL WILL BE INVOICED. NB STAT uses PayPal to generate invoices to protect potential

credit card payments. Schools may pay through all usual methods

What are the entry fees? The entry fee is $5.00 per project Individual, group and class entries are

$5.00 per entry. Students may enter as individuals or small groups (up to 3) Class entries are only acceptable from Early Childhood and Lower Primary Divisions.

Are there benefits if you are a STAT member? STAT members receive a 60% discount

when submitting 10 or more entries, providing invoices are paid by the due date.

To receive the membership rate individuals and schools need to be financial members by May 1st 2017.

How to become a member: Go to the STAT web site and download a

2017 membership form – http://stat.org.au/membership and submit to STAT

Where to send the entries:Entries may be either dropped off at a collection point or delivered by courier or Australia Post. Check individual Sections for the due date. Please note that late entries cannot be accepted. NB See special considerations for Technology & Engineering.

Hobart Collection Point:Director – TSTSC/- Heather OmantSt Mary’s College

164 Harrington Street,Hobart TAS 700

Launceston Collection Point:Director – TSTSC/- John BardenhagenEast Launceston Primary SchoolCnr. Mary and Abbott StreetLaunceston TAS 7250

Please Note” CASH cannot be accepted at public events or with entries – your school will be invoiced.

By Post or Courier toDirector – TSTS130 Margaret StreetLaunceston TAS 7250

1

Judging of Entries: Entries will be judged by members of STAT. Teachers and Schools will be notified of student winners throughout the year and results will also be posted on the STAT website – see TSTS page at http://stat.org.au/tsts/

Presentation of prizes: Winning students, their teachers and families will be invited to the Presentation Ceremony, which will take place at the Northern Campus of the University of Tasmania, Launceston on Sunday November 25th, 2017.

Connor van der Ploeg of Marist Regional College receives his award for the “Best Research Investigation of the Year” (2016) – Presented by Louise Clarke of Bell Bay Aluminium

What recognition will your students receive for their effort?All students who take part will receive a participation certificate shortly after the entries are received. Individual certificates are provided for independent and small group entries.

Whole class entries will receive one participation certificate made out to the class.

Schools are encouraged to celebrate student success by presenting these certificates at an appropriate assembly or home group gathering.

What will the winners and place getters receive?Each Section in every division will be considered for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winner together with merit awards. These prizes will be presented at the Presentation Ceremony in November.

Some recognition through your school:Some students will receive encouragement awards (includes a certificate and badge). These will be posted to enable acknowledgement of effort and celebration of success at the school level.

Schools are encouraged to recognize student participation at the school level and prior to judging.

What standard of student work is expected?TSTS does have a quality standard and on the very rare occasion, where entries do not meet that standard, then the judging committee reserves the right to either award prizes at a lower level or to not award any prizes. No correspondence will be entered into post final judging.

Be proud of your students’ works:Winning entries are on display for the public and sponsors to see and consequently, we need to be proud of our students’ efforts in both scientific thinking and presentation.

How much help can your students have?STAT encourages conversation, communication and mentoring in all entries, with the proviso that any contribution from those other than the student be acknowledged appropriately.

Often Scientists will mentor older students while enthusiastic Grandparents might support younger students. Students will frequently have a great idea but need support to present it in a quality way – adult and peer support to enable this to happen is encouraged and indeed mirrors what would happen in the scientific community.

Tap into your school and local community – guidance, support and discussion around an idea will support learning in all curriculum areas and help to build a quality learning experience for your students.

2

Tasmanian Science Talent Search 2017Future Earth

Theme based Sections.

Posters, Creative Writing, Photographic Essays and Digital Interactives are all theme-based sections. This is an opportunity to run with “Future Earth” as a topic and then give students the freedom to choose a format to express their understanding OR the decision might be to choose one area and support all students to take part.

The four sections are open to ALL year groups. Read the guidelines carefully and encourage students to take these seriously.Closing date for all themed sections is Thursday June 15th. See details on page 1 for delivery of entry options.Please note: Entries which do not fit the criteria will not be marked. Once students’ works are marked non- winning entries will be returned either to the school or a central point for collection – teachers will be notified.TSTS & the AC: Science: For opportunities to incorporate appropriate elements of the Australian Curriculum through TSTS experiences go to http://stat.org.au/tsts/ for supporting documentation under TSTS & the AC:Science

POSTERS:AC: Science: Inquiry skills include observation & communication.Understanding Goal: Students will understand how the conventions for making a poster can be used to convey a scientific messageDefinition of a Poster for TSTS: A poster is a graphic representation advertising a scientific concept or idea in a way which will advertise this to the target audience. Please note that a poster for TSTS is NOT a scientific chart, project, diagram or pictorial essay.

Judging Criteria:Scientific Concept: relevance and significanceClarity of scientific message: does the audience clearly understand what the poster is about?Presentation:

a) Maximum size is A3b) Must be suitable for wall display

(recommended that poster is mounted on thicker card)

c) Two dimensional only (The poster needs to travel well – so although collage is acceptable keep the level low as protrusion suffer damage in transport. Make sure that

any embellishment is well secured – Glitter in particular is NOT recommended)

d) Visual impact (the poster needs to be able to be read from a distance of 3 metres.

Shipment for Judging: Please pack and send poster flat – NOT Rolled.

First Prize in 2016 – Lower Primaryby Minisha Chung of Westbury Primary School

First Prize in 2016 – Early ChildhoodBy Rose Jones of Youngtown Primary School

3

CREATIVE WRITINGAC Science: Inquiry skills include observation and communicationUnderstanding Goal: Students will understand how to use creative writing as a medium to convey a scientific message.AC English: Communication processes where individuals express and create written and visual texts, including those made with the aid of augmentative and alternative forms of communication. These processes share a productive approach to the creation of imaginative, informative and persuasive texts in print form. Students plan and use applied topic knowledge, vocabulary, word and visual knowledge to make considered and deliberate choices about text structure and organization to coherently express and develop ideas and communicate information in a formal or informal way. (Adapted from the AC-English document)

Judging CriteriaScientific concept: relevance to theme and significance of the conceptMaximum size: one side of A4 page Creativity: Creative use of words to convey the message. Small illustrations can add extra impact.Presentation: Check Grammar, spelling and punctuation and back the work with cover paper providing a 1cm boarder.Genre: Entries can be either prose or verse. Encourage students to research the topic and use this information to inform their writing. All references and support must be acknowledged.

First Prize in 2016 – Upper Primary Creative Writing Verse Section by Tamzin Arnold of Summerdale Primary School

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

Merit Award in 2016 Upper Primary Photographic Essay Section by Ryan Barr and Reuben Street of East Launceston Primary School

What is a photographic essay? It is a set of 6 to 8 photographs, taken by the entrant, which combine to express a scientific concept and the creator’s thoughts about the 2017 theme. It is an interesting way of observing, recording and studying phenomena which might go unnoticed by the casual observer.

AC: Science: Opportunities for Inquiry skills of Observation and Communication as well as Science Understanding and Science as a Human Endeavour.Understanding Foal: Students will understand how the conventions for making a photographic essay can be used to convey a scientific message.AC: English: Opportunities to support the communication process, particularly in the areas of writing, creating, reading and viewing.

Judging Criteria:Drones in the Future

Imagine the future,When drones help with plagues,

Relevance: a) How relevant are the individual photographs to the

theme?b) Is a science concept clearly conveyed through the

images?c) Does the sequence tell a story?d) Does the written description support the visual

story?Presentation, photographic skills and techniquesa) Overall visual impact of the presentationb) Clarity of imagesc) Layout of the presentationd) Use of tonal range to provide a focus on the

subject(s)e) Images are best printed on glossy paperf) Entries should be mounted on either poster (Max

A2) or an A4 concertina fold ready for display. Title and captions should be provided.

g) Each entry should be accompanied by a statement of the photographer’s thoughts – it is not necessary to explain every photograph.

h) Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.Shipment for judging: Please pack photographic essays flat - NOT rolled.

4

DIGITAL INTERACTIVESAC: Science: understanding and communication, ICT capabilityAC English & ICT: Investigation and analysis of information and evaluation of design ideas communicate in the digital environment. Students will develop design ideas; generate plans and diagrams to communicate their designs and produce solutions using digital technologies, for example creating simulations, drawing, models and manufacturing solutions related to the theme “Future Earth”. Students will understand how to use a digital product as a medium to communicate a scientific message to an identified target audience.

Information: Entries should be produced using free or open source products (e.g. Prezi, Education Weebly, Microsoft Sway, Scratch or Kizoa for schools – or any

other software program which is available at no cost, are age appropriate, approved by the school and freely available to students) and should be capable of being run on “off the shelf” IBM compatible or Apple computers, tablets or phones. The entry could also be an app or an interactive game.

Presentation:a) The entry must clearly have scientific content

related to an identified aspect of the topic – Future Earth.

b) Entrants must submit:I. Details of the devices for which the product

is designedII. Written descriptions explaining the purpose

of the product, the audience it is designed for and running directions

III. Acknowledgements of all help receivedIV. Provide either a Disc, USB or a working

hyperlink for each individual entry. NOTE: Check that the links work as entries which do not run cannot be judged.

V. Please check spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Judging Criteria:a) Scientific content

(significance and relevance)

b) Originalityc) How well the product runsd) How well it communicates information to the

identified audience.Shipment for Judging: Please pack appropriately for the safety of the device used.

Drones in the FutureImagine the future,

When drones help with plagues,

PLEASE NOTE: Microsoft Power Point is NOT A FREE PRODUCT, so presentations made using this program are not eligible.

TSTS information sessions are being offered around the stateSTAT will be offering free after school information sessions in Launceston, Hobart and Burnie. We will also offer regional sessions upon negotiation. E.g. North East, East Coast, West Coast and so on. The TSTS Director will be contacting schools in your area to negotiate an appropriate time and setting to meet the local needs. If you are in a more rural school and would like to discuss this then contact the TSTS Director, Dr. Marj Colvill on marjcol@bigpond.net.au

Dates for Introduction Sessions to TSTS in major centres: Launceston – Wednesday March 22nd, 3.30pm at East Launceston Primary School Hobart – Thursday March 30th , 3.30 pm at the Sustainability Centre, Mount Nelson Burnie – Tuesday March 21st 3,30pm at Marist Regional College, Burnie Introductory sessions in other rural centres will also be arranged and local schools notified.

Support for the Technology Challenge:

5

2017 TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGEEligible students: The Technology Challenge is open to

students from Early Childhood to Upper Primary

History of Flight challenge

PreambleThe history of flight has evolved from an envy of the freedom of birds to massive metal cylinders carrying hundreds of people over huge distances. This challenge seeks to encapsulate some of the evolution of the heavier-than-air machines that has led to modern flight.The History of Flight challenge is in three stages and is based on mono-wing and multi-wing gliders and model aeroplanes using cardboard and paper constructions flying indoors in a gymnasium or a multi-purpose room.The History of Flight challenge could introduce students to the work of the Englishman George Cayley,

the Australian Lawrence Hargraves and the Americans Wilbur and Orville Wright and Glenn Curtiss.The challengeTo overcome the discrepancy in the ability to launch a glider or plane by throwing, the STAT committee will make a launch pad, photographs of which will be put on the STAT website or made available by teachers on request to ijpattie@bigpond.com . Photographs and a plan of the completed device will be available on request, by the end of April, and the device to be used on judging day will be demonstrated at the workshops being held regionally in early May.Note: The conditions below state that an entrant’s model must be launched off the official ramp. Entrants must acquaint themselves with the details of the ramp when it becomes available.In starting work on the challenge, tutors may buy gliders and model planes to explore their operation, but the machines presented to the judges must be hand made with exceptions listed below.The size limitation is:

wing span maximum 600mm; fuselage length maximum 600mm.

Hint: the craft’s balance point should be approximately 300mm from the tail.The organizers would like to make all challenges open to all students but given the degree of difficulty, schools are encouraged to have their own flight trials with all categories open to all students.K-2 challenge: Make a monoplane glider using paper, cardboard, drinking straws, adhesive tape and glue only. Grade 3-4 challenge: Make a model mono-wing glider that pays homage to George Cayley, using paper, cardboard, drinking straws, bamboo skewers, toothpicks, string, adhesive tape and glue only. Grade 5-6 challenge:

EITHER - make a mono-wing, rubber band powered model plane using paper, cardboard, drinking straws, adhesive tape and glue only. The propeller may be hand-made or purchased and the rubber bands may be any type of commercial rubber band(s), elastic or model aeroplane rubber.

OR - make a multi-wing rubber band powered model aeroplane from paper, cardboard, adhesive tape and glue only. The propeller may be hand-made or purchased and the rubber bands may be any type of commercial rubber band(s), elastic or model aeroplane rubber.

Grade 7-8 challenge: Make a multi-wing rubber band powered model aeroplane from paper, cardboard, adhesive tape and glue only. The propeller may be hand-made or purchased and the rubber bands may be any type of rubber band(s), elastic or model aeroplane rubber.Conditions

NOTE: The technology challenge is judged at a public judging day – See below for details of when and where.

TSTS information sessions are being offered around the stateSTAT will be offering free after school information sessions in Launceston, Hobart and Burnie. We will also offer regional sessions upon negotiation. E.g. North East, East Coast, West Coast and so on. The TSTS Director will be contacting schools in your area to negotiate an appropriate time and setting to meet the local needs. If you are in a more rural school and would like to discuss this then contact the TSTS Director, Dr. Marj Colvill on marjcol@bigpond.net.au

Dates for Introduction Sessions to TSTS in major centres: Launceston – Wednesday March 22nd, 3.30pm at East Launceston Primary School Hobart – Thursday March 30th , 3.30 pm at the Sustainability Centre, Mount Nelson Burnie – Tuesday March 21st 3,30pm at Marist Regional College, Burnie Introductory sessions in other rural centres will also be arranged and local schools notified.

Support for the Technology Challenge:

a. Students must use only those materials listed alongside each challenge.

b. Students must adhere to the size limitations.c. Students need to make their flying machine so

that it may be launched from the official launching ramp.

d. Students will have three attempts to make the machine fly. The result will be based on the best attempt.

e. Students should keep a log book of their progress in reaching the final design and should present a report which contains:

the log book; statements of understanding of the

roles of pioneers in the history of flight; and

information about how machines are able to fly.

f. Students will be judged on: the distance of the machine’s flight; the quality of the log book and report; the quality of the machine’s

construction; and the flying qualities of the machine such

as lift and glide.

6

Tasmanian Science Talent Search – 2017 – Open SectionsEngineering Challenge and Research Investigations.

Engineering and Research Investigations are open or unrestricted topics – so students may investigate a topic of their choice or follow the 2017 theme. All ideas will be accepted providing they meet ethical and safety standards.

ENGINEERING CHALLENGE Eligible students – this challenge is open to students from year 5 to year 12.AC: Science: Science Understanding – Physical Sciences, Science Inquiry Skills and Science as Human EndeavourAC English & ICT: Investigation and analysis of information and evaluation of design ideas. Students will develop design ideas; generate plans and diagrams to communicate their design ideas and produce a physical solution to an articulated problem.

Challenge: Design, create and test a working invention (unrestricted topic).Judging Criteria:

a) Students need to design, create and test a working invention (unrestricted in topic)

b) It needs to be a physical device that either:a. Solves a problem in a scientific or

engineering context ORb. Provides and innovative approach to a

problemc) The device should not be static unless it is a

new invention d) The device should be accompanied by:

a. A written report not exceeding 1000 words

b. A video presentation demonstrating the invention in action (on USB)

Judging information:

Although regional judging will take place this is a state-wide competition and winners will be INVITED to progress to the National BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, providing winning entries meet the national standard. Details of this opportunity can be found at http://www.scienceawards.org.au/.

RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONSEligible Students – Research Investigation section is open to all students from Prep to Year 12.

Entrants will need to register their entries with the Director TSTS by Friday August 4th, 2017 and then bring their work to the Public Judging Day to demonstrate and discuss the entry with the judge.Launceston – Sunday August 13 @ from 10-12 @ East Launceston Primary SchoolHobart – Sunday August 20th @ the Sustainability Centre, Mount NelsonNorth West – to be negotiated upon demand

Entrants will need to register their entry with the Director TSTS by Friday August 4th, 2017 and then bring their working invention to the Public Judging Day to demonstrate and discuss the entry with the judge.Launceston – Sunday August 13 @ from 10-12 @ East Launceston Primary SchoolHobart – Sunday August 20th @ the Sustainability Centre, Mount NelsonNorth West – to be negotiated upon demand

AC: Science – Science Understanding (Strand dependent on the topic researched), Science as Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry SkillsAC: English: There are many aspects of English which can be addressed but the obvious one is procedural text.

Topic: Students may choose any topic for research.Closing date: Thursday September 23rd. See page 1 for delivery of entry options.Research Investigations are open to all year levels and address all areas of the AC Science.Students are to plan, carry out and report on an experimental inquiry on a topic of their own choice.Students from Prep to Year 4 may have a whole class entry. Individual and small group entries are also acceptable from these grades.Students from Years 5 – 12 may have a small group (no more than 3 students) OR an individual entry. Individual entries from Students in years 9 to 12 are considered more highly.

Judging Criteria:Judging will be based on evidence of working scientifically and will include:

a) Scientific significance of the topicb) Processing datac) Evaluating findings

d) Using Science Planning and conducting inquiries

e) Acting responsibly: No explosives, illegal substances or animal cruelty is acceptable

f) Evidence of Risk Assessmentg) The inclusion of acknowledgment of mentors

and supporters – entries must have academic integrity.

NOTE: all entries are judged initially on merit alone. In addition, any which fit the criteria of the Sponsor Topics are judged for those prizes. Winning entries from years 5 – 12, which reach the national standard, will be INVITED to enter the national BHP Billiton Science & Engineering Awards

Stuck for an idea to get started? The Science Teachers Association of NSW has examples of student research at http://www.youngscientist.com.au/?page_id=1885 . Make sure any ideas or information is acknowledged but there are some great examples to share with students available. (Thanks to STANSW for the support)

7

2017 Entry Form: Tasmanian Science Talent Search(Please Print Details Clearly)

School Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Entrant’s Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Partner names (if in a group of 3 or less: 1………………………………………………………………………………………

2………………………………………………………………………………………

Title of Entry: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Section: (Please circle): Posters Photographic Essay Creative Writing Digital Interactive

Technology Engineering Research Investigations

Division: (Please circle): Early childhood (P-2) Lower Primary (3-4) Upper Primary (5-6)

Junior Secondary (7-8) Intermediate (9-10) Senior Secondary (11-12)

Teacher’s name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Teacher’s email address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………School Business Manager’s name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………School Business Manager’s email address: ………………………………………………………………………………………

INVOICING DETAILS:School email address for invoicing (if different to School Business Manager’s): ………………………………………………………………

ORParent/guardian/student email address (for non-school based entries only): …………………………………………………………………

STAT Membership number: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Cost of entry. - $5.00 per entry. STAT members receive a 60% discount per entry providing they have 10 or more entries and the invoice is paid within two weeks of issue. Late payments will be reinvoiced for the full entry fee. STAT Membership for 2017 is due on March 31st & 2016 members will be invoiced for 2017Not sure of your membership number? Contact the TSTS Director for details.If you are not a member yet – then go to http://stat.org.au/membership/ to download the 2017 membership form. Membership will need to be financial to receive the discount.

Declaration:I certify that this finished entry reflects the student/s effort and ability. All assistance has been acknowledged and standard risk assessment protocols have been covered.

Signed ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Teacher/Mentor)

Permission to use a student’s name and work in publicity materials is a condition entry. Parents of students under 18 years of age must complete the section below:I, the parent/legal guardian of the minor named above, give consent to the Science Teachers Association of Tasmania Inc (STAT) to reproduce his/her photograph, video image or work sample in TSTS publications. The material may appear in printed or electronic form and may be available to a global audience on the World Wide Web. I authorize the use or reproduction of the photograph, video image or work sample for Tasmanian Science Talent Search publicity purposes at STAT’s discretion without acknowledgement and without being entitled to payment. The copyright ownership of the photograph, video image or work sample will be retained by STAT.

Name of parent/guardian:……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Parent/Guardian)

Date: ………………………………………………… Parent email: (Optional): …………………………………………………….

Each entrant should attach a copy of this form to their entry and present it for judging as per instructions for each section. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR ENTRY. 8

Tasmania well represented at the finals of the 2017 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards

Note – BHP Billiton 2017 winners come from entries in the previous year’s Science Talent Searches across Australia. 2017 Tasmanian finalist have the opportunity to be considered for the 2018 BHP Billiton Awards

On Tuesday February 7th students and teachers from around the country gathered for the awarding of the 2017 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering awards.

STAT’s 2017 nomination for the BHP Billiton Science Teacher of the year was Simone Summers, recently of Burnie High School. After teaching in London, Simone moved to Tasmania where she has worked as a science and numeracy leader at Burnie High School for the last four years. Simone sees STEM education as spanning beyond the core disciplines to develop a suite of 21st century skills that are vital for our society’s future needs. Open-ended inquiry is an important feature of her teaching. She says it’s vital for teachers to guide students without being prescriptive while having a broad knowledge base in the relevant field so the results can be

effectively analysed and interpreted. Simone did a wonderful job of representing Science Education in Tasmania and we thank her for her contribution to the day.

Tasmanian student finalists were Lachlan Dick of Hellyer College in Burnie and Eloise Deconinck of St. Mary’s College in Hobart.

Lachlan’s project, Salinity Solutions, focussed on the Tasmanian potato, where he investigated whether introducing a nutrient to soil would neutralise the toxic effect of sodium in soil to improve crop output. He found that the introduction of calcium chloride to saline affected soil improved the growth rate and biomass of potatoes in his study. He also

developed a test for a farmer to calculate how much calcium chloride to add to the soil, depending on its salinity level. Lachlan is looking forward to studying at UTAS and hopes to continue to do research in Chemistry. Lachlan joins 6 other students from around Australia, who will travel to the Intel Science Fair in Los Angeles as a result of his research. Congratulations to Lachlan and to his teacher, Ann Bourke for this wonderful achievement. He is seen here, sharing his work with Dr Robert O’Connor of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

Eloise investigated Plastic Degradation by Endemic Tasmanian Fungi. Plastic waste is a global problem without a simple solution. Eloise studied whether fungi were able to break down polyurethane materials. Using an enzyme, the fungi produces naturally to break down lignocellulosic biomass she found there was a measurable effect on the breakdown of apolyurethane medium. This is a great first step towards developing a natural and efficient

method to breakdown polyurethane. Academic researchers in this field are showing interest in Eloise’s work.

Congratulations also to our Primary studentsAmelia Reynolds of East Launceston Primary School, was 1 of 10 winners in the Primary Science Section of the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards with her project looking at “Does Frequent Turning Train the Brain to Overcome Dizziness?” Amelia’s teacher was Jessica Crawford.

Cameron Howie of Riverside Primary received an Encouragement Award in Science with his research investigation. Cameron’s teacher was Carol Davidson. Encouragement awards in Engineering were also won by Emma Ferrall, Isobel Goss and Simone Loo (Teacher - Darrin Timms) and Isaac Fry (Teacher - Sophie Edwards), all from East Launceston Primary.

On behalf of our students, teachers and schools who take up the Tasmanian Science Talent Search Challenge – STAT thanks the following sponsors and supporters.

9

BELL BAY ALUMINIUM