The Science Teachers Association of Tasmania Inc

The Science Teachers Association of Tasmania Inc

“Promoting Scientific Literacy Through Education”.

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 - 2017

What do you need to know?

What is the Tasmanian Science Talent Search?Page 1
How do Students Enter?Page 1
Payment detailsPage 1
What are the entry fees?Page 1
Benefits for STAT membersPage 1
How to become a STAT MemberPage 1
Where to send entriesPage 1
Judging of entriesPage 2
Presentation of prizesPage 2
Recognition of student workPage 2
What will winners receive?Page 2
Standard of entriesPage 2
Mentoring for students – they can have helpPage 2
2017 Theme Based Sections – “Future Earth”?
PostersPage 3
Creative WritingPage 4
Photographic EssaysPage 4
Digital InteractivesPage 5
Information sessions to support teachersPage 5
Technology ChallengePage 6

a.Details of the ChallengePage 6

b.Registration of entry and judging detailsPage 6

b.Support for teachersPage 6

Engineering ChallengePage 7
Judging CriteriaPage 7
Registration of entry and judging detailsPage 7
Research Investigation Page 7
Choosing a topicPage 7
Judging CriteriaPage 7
Entry formPage 8
Celebrating National SuccessPage 9

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 sections

See 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% discountwhen 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 – 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 – TSTS

C/- Heather Omant

St Mary’s College

164 Harrington Street,

Hobart TAS 700

Launceston Collection Point:

Director – TSTS

C/- John Bardenhagen

East Launceston Primary School

Cnr. Mary and Abbott Street

Launceston TAS 7250

By Post or Courier to

Director – TSTS

130 Margaret Street

Launceston TAS 7250

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

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.

Tasmanian Science Talent Search 2017

Future 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 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 message

Definition 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 significance

Clarity of scientific message: does the audience clearly understand what the poster is about?

Presentation:

a)Maximum size is A3

b)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 Primary

by Minisha Chung of Westbury Primary School

First Prize in 2016 – Early Childhood

By Rose Jones of Youngtown Primary School

CREATIVE WRITING

AC Science: Inquiry skills include observation and communication

Understanding 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 Criteria

Scientific concept: relevance to theme and significance of the concept

Maximum 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:

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 techniques

a)Overall visual impact of the presentation

b)Clarity of images

c)Layout of the presentation

d)Use of tonal range to provide a focus on the subject(s)

e)Images are best printed on glossy paper

f)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.

DIGITAL INTERACTIVES

AC: Science: understanding and communication, ICT capability

AC 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:

Details of the devices for which the product is designed
Written descriptions explaining the purpose of the product, the audience it is designed for and running directions
Acknowledgements of all help received
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.

Please check spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Judging Criteria:

a)Scientific content (significance and relevance)

b)Originality

c)How well the product runs

d)How well it communicates information to the identified audience.

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

2017 TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE

Eligible students: The Technology Challenge is open to students from Early Childhood to Junior Secondary

History of Flight challenge

Preamble

The 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 challenge

To 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 . 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

Students must use only those materials listed alongside each challenge.
Students must adhere to the size limitations.
Students need to make their flying machine so that it may be launched from the official launching ramp.
Students will have three attempts to make the machine fly. The result will be based on the best attempt.
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.
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.