12th May 2017

To Head of Science

Through Principal & Vice-Principal

2017East Zone Marine Aquascaping Competition
A competition, workshop & school project all rolled into one!
To be held during East Zone Science Carnival 2017 (21stJuly)
Introduction
As pollution escalates in the oceans, setting up a captive environment to preserve speciesmay serve as the only means of survival for such a delicate ecosystem that has remained unchanged for millions of years. One of the most unexplored regions on the planet, the oceans, still hold many secrets unknown to us. Many interesting and unusual behaviour of marine organisms were accidentally discovered not by scientists but by everyday marine hobbyists like you and me. To inspire the next generation to treasure their natural heritage of the reefs and the beautiful organisms living in it, why not start with a simple and easy nano marine ecosystem in school.

Objectives
  • Participants will learn how to establish a marine ecosystem and build homes for marine creatures in a balanced aquatic environment.
  • Participants will learn to appreciate the diversity of marine flora and fauna and gain a better understanding of the biology of interesting species including the special roles that the organism plays in the marine ecosystem.
  • Participants will also learn about the impending need to conserve the marine environment and protect the diminishing reefs against extinction.

Participation Details
There are two categories:
Secondary School Category (students from all levels)
Primary School Category (students from primary 5-6)
  • Participants will be required to set up a marine ecosystem and aquascape the tank with inhabitants of their own choice.
  • All schools are invited to send in a maximum of TWO teams, each made up of not more than three students, to participate in the VJC Marine Aquascaping Competition.

As always…
The marine ecosystem is basically established with good understanding of two elements.
  1. The physical environment (the hardware)
  2. The inhabitants (fishes and corals)
  • VJC will provide the basic hardware and some training needed to start a marine ecosystem
Every team will get:
  1. A 1-2ft marine tank (nano system) with built-in filters and pumps
  2. T-5 /LED Lights and filter media
  3. Supply of fresh natural seawater for instant tank start-ups
  4. Free delivery and quarantine for livestock purchased by selected fish farm retailers
  5. Free coaching workshop for newbies to the world of marine reefkeeping (Date of training workshop will be fixed after all schools have registered)

Every team will have to:
  1. Select their livestock on the designated aquascapingday. An entire shipment of various livestock will be made available on the spot for their selection. Groups can email VJC their “wish-list” but livestock availability is still subjected to the shipment inventory that week.
  2. Plan their display theme or rock layout carefully. They can choose specialist themes if possible
  3. Build the display within the stipulated time (3 hrs)
  4. Do a brief presentation to explain their display concepts when called on by the judges during the poster presentation round.

Judging criteria:

  1. Choice of specimens, the closer it mimicks nature, the better. Rare and unusual specimens in themed tanks will also be credited
  2. The overall live rock, fish and coral display. Carefully crafted displays with stable nooks and crannies and corals positioned appropriately and fishes selected carefully will be credited
  3. Student teams are encouraged to prepare a simple write-up on their project, Powerpoint presentations will be helpful, especially for themed tanks with special displays as they will be presenting their tank concept to everyone including other participants and the judges in a Q&A round.

Decisionsmade by the judging panel comprising industry professionals, expert hobbyists and teachers will be final after hearing from all participants and a complete survey of their tanks .

Prizes for both categories:

1st Prize - $150 book vouchers per team, trophies and certificates

2nd Prize- $100 book vouchers per team, trophies and certificates

3rd Prize - $50 book vouchers per team, trophies and certificates

Cost: FREE OF CHARGE

Closing Date for Registration : 1stJuly 2017

Please contact Mr Foo PeowMeng if you have any queries with regards to this competition. (Tel : 62402127, ).

ATTN: Mr Foo PeowMeng (email: )
REGISTRATION FORM

2017 East Zone Marine Aquascaping Competition

Closing Date for Registration :1stJuly 2017

SCHOOL:

TEACHER IN-CHARGE:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

CONTACT NUMBER:

Team 1

Name of Student / Class
1.
2.
3.

Team 2

Name of Student / Class
1.
2.
3.

Please email this form to