What is the Science Talent Search
The Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia (STAWA) invites primary and secondary students to participate in the 50th Science Talent Search (STS) competition. Science Talent Search aims to promote science teaching and learning through creative project work. It is conducted by STAWA, a professional body representing primary and secondary teachers of science. This year the STS will again link with the BHP Billiton Science Awards. Students’ entering the Investigations category will be eligible for selection by STAWA STS judges for entry into the BHP Billiton Science Awards. The BHP Billiton Science Awards present a considerable number of significant cash prizes to primary and secondary students. Students that win major bursaries in the investigation section of the STS will become finalists in this competition. The overall winner of the BHP Billiton Science Awards will be given the opportunity to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in the USA. See http://scienceawards.bhpbilliton.com for additional information.
2008 Winners
Download the 2008 winners listing (PDF 174kb)
For full details of this event, please download the:
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Science Talent Search Guide 2008 (800kb PDF)
Last year, over 500 entries were received. Entries may be submitted by students from any school in Western Australia, or by students under home tuition. Each entry receives a Participation Certificate* a Merit Certificate, or a Winner's Certificate and prize. Students’ who enter should be actively involved in doing original and independent work. Entries solely involving collection of information from a library are not competitive. Students are encouraged to try their own ideas rather than copy something they have read. Although the majority of entrants receive legitimate guidance from supervisors in the selection and planning of entries, students should be aware that they themselves must carry out the main body of work. A student's supervisor may be asked to confirm this if the entrant is being considered for a prize. Schools are to hold their own Science Talent Search competition and pre-select their best projects for entry into the metropolitan. The STS categories have been aligned with the Curriculum Framework, as outlined by the Curriculum Council of Western Australia. This provides schools and teachers with the opportunity to implement a Science Talent Search project that meets the requirements of outcomes‑based education and the science curriculum. If you need assistance with any aspect of Science Talent Search please contact the STAWA office on (08) 9244 1987 during normal business hours.
Registration
2008 STAWA Science Talent Search
Registration on-line closes 5.00 pm Friday August 15th 2008.
Entries cannot be lodged without first being registered. Registration involves completing the STS registration form. Teachers or students must visit the STS Website and submit their entry details electronically.
Categories
There are three major categories for entry:
• Investigations
• Scientific models
• Scientific Communication
• Science Photography
• Multimedia design
• Science Posters - Early Childhood only K‑2 Category A (Yrs K & l), Category B (Yr2
In the Secondary Research Investigations category, entries will be judged according to the Learning Outcomes for Science in the Curriculum Framework:
• Earth and Beyond
• Life and Living - People
• Energy and Change
• Life and Living - Animals and plants
• Natural and Processed Materials
• Consumer Science
Both primary and secondary students who submit a project into the Investigations category are also eligible for selection by STAWA STS judges for entry into the BHP Billiton Science Awards. See http://scienceawards.bhpbilliton.com for additional information.
Age Levels
Levels of entry vary according to age. A student can only enter one level. When students from different age levels work together, the level of the oldest student will be taken as the level for the whole entry. For example, when students from Year 4 and Year 5 work together, the level is taken as Upper Primary. The age levels are:
Primary:
- Early Childhood (Years K ‑ 2)
- Middle Primary (Years 3 ‑ 4)
- Upper Primary (Years 5 ‑ 7)
Secondary:
- Lower Secondary (Year 8)
- Middle Secondary (Years 9-10)
- Upper Secondary (Years 11 ‑ 12)
Sponsors:
