TSTS

Entries in the TSTS Research Investigation Awards have CLOSED for 2018. Thank you to all students and teachers for your efforts.

Stay tuned for the Results!

 TSTS 2018 Information Booklet

The booklet contains all the information you require regarding sections and divisions, some of which have changed. We encourage you to check the details prior to beginning work on any section.

TSTS 2018 Information booklet. (Word) OR TSTS 2018 Information booklet.(PDF)

BHP Billiton Foundation Science and Engineering Awards for 2018

Congratulations to Caitlin Roberts from the Friend’s School in Hobart

Caitlin won second prize at the National Awards and will be going to the USA Intel Science Fair with 5 other recipients from around Australia

About her project: The protease inhibiting effect of almonds

Caitlin Roberts’ passion for nutritional health led her to investigate the digestive properties of almonds. She compared the rate of protein digestion of skim milk when either activated or natural almonds were consumed and how this process occurs. This research contributes to a body of research aimed at understanding how nutritional intake can be optimised.

Caitlin was a successful entrant in the 2017 Tasmanian Science Talent Search and this enabled her to enter the BHP Billiton Foundation Science and Engineering Awards. The entries from the 26 finalist were displayed and the awards presented at a luncheon ceremony, hosted by Bernie Hobbs in the Zinc Room at Federation Square, Melbourne.

Congratulations also to Eloise Deconinck, Keeley Hine Haycock and Spriha Paudel from St Mary’s College Hobart, who also made the finals with their projects and to Belinda Brennam from Rose Bay High who represented STAT in the Teacher Awards. For more information on the national finalist and their projects in both Science and Engineering visit http://www.scienceawards.org.au/Student-Awards

Pathways to the BHP Student Awards are through the Tasmanian Science Talent Search (TSTS) Research Investigation and Engineering Sections. Now is a good time to encourage students to think about their entries for 2018. Projects entered in the UTAS Science Investigation Awards can also be entered in the TSTS.

2017 Presentation of TSTS Prizes.

Logan Howell, of Don College; Eloise Deconinck of St. Mary’s College & Emma Spurr of Kingston High School – Winners of the “Rowe Scientific most promising young scientist Awards” in Senior Secondary, Intermediate and Junior Secondary for 2017.

Logan’s Project was “NO3-Free” (Low voltage, low current electro-reduction of aqueous nitrates via single cell electrolysis & subsequent observations of gas-particle phase equilibria. Eloise’s project was “Material World” – a sustainable method to break down plastic waste and Emma’s project investigated the “Effects of Temperature & Light on Lettuce Seed Germination (part 2)”. This was a continuation of the work she began for her entry in 2016.

Amelia Reynolds of East Launceston Primary School with Sarah Hayton of CSIRO Education team. Sarah presented Amelia with the CSIRO-BHP Billiton Foundation, Most promising Young Scientist in Primary Award. Amelia’s projects “Stretch versus Strength” investigated the  dangers of under-diagnosed hypermobility among Australian sporting adolescents.

Representatives of the Forth Primary School Kindergarten Class with their First Prize in the Digital Interactive Section

Winners in the Upper Primary Division of the  Research Investigation Section for 2017

 Opportunities for students from years 7 – 12 to receive bursaries of $500 and above.

STAT and TSTS are very pleased to announce that sponsorship from Rowe Scientific will provide exciting opportunities for bursaries for students in year 7 – 12.

The most significant of these will be in Research Investigations and Engineering – there are also increased chances of success for students from schools that have not entered previously.

Make the most of this opportunity and share it with your students. Bursaries of $500 and above are available.

 TSTS Project Planning tips

Are you thinking of supporting your students to get into Research Investigations, just not too sure what the expectation is? Take a look at these work samples from previous years.

Work sample 1:  Grade 5 – Creeky Growth

Work sample 2: Grade 4 – Does colour inside the greenhouse matter?

Work sample 3: Grade 4 –  Light and Plant Growth

Work sample 4: Grade 5 –  Sticky Business

Note: the research investigation section is open to any topic so it is a great opportunity for students to pursue their passion.

More examples: The Science Teachers Association of New South Wales has kindly offered to share examples of student work with interstate colleagues.

Examples of student work submitted to the STANSW Young Scientists Awards.

If you use any of these ideas as a starting point be sure to give due acknowledgement.