Science Talent Search 2013 Rules and guidelines

Science Talent Search Science Talent Search aims to promote science teaching and learning through creative project work.

Entry Categories and Age groupings There are three categories for entry: 1. Research Investigations 2. Science Communication 3. Inventions Entries within each category will be judged in the following age groupings: Years K-2 Years 3-4 Years 5-6 Year 7-8

5. Naming and Ownership. An entry can be the work of an individual student, a pair of students or a team, but no more than three students. An entry must be the work of the student/s whose name/s appears on the entry.

6. Assistance Limited assistance from supervisor/s is permitted, especially in the area of advice, safety and suggestions. Any direct ‘hands on’ assistance is not permitted under the rules of STS. It should be clear to the judges that the student has done all the work. Supervisors should be prepared to attest to this on request. Assistance may be sought from institutions other than the school such as universities, technical colleges, etc. This help should be limited to assistance with equipment, advice or other resources as the supervisor sees fit and must not contravene rules 7 or 8. Students must acknowledge any assistance they receive.

Category 1: Research Investigation What is a research investigation? (K-2) An investigation is an attempt to find, in a scientific way, the answer to an original question. In the early years of schooling students use observations to investigate the world around them. They learn that seeking answers to questions and making observations is a core part of science and use their senses to gather different types of information.

Category 1: Research Investigation What is a research investigation? (3-12) An investigation is an attempt to find, in a scientific way, the answer to an original question. The scientific way may involve careful recording of organised observations such as watching the behaviour of wild birds or the movement of planets. It may use an experimental procedure that involves designing an experiment, controlling variables, interpreting your data and making a conclusion. Investigations always look for reliable results that can be used to explain or predict events.

Category 2: Scientific Communication What is scientific communication? Communication is important in the scientific community to inform the public and other scientists about science ideas. When communicating about science it is important that ideas are presented clearly and concisely, and that the technical language is appropriate to the target audience. This year’s theme for Scientific Communication is “Energy Evolution”. Only entries based on this theme will be judged. Scientific communication can take many forms. They can be written reports, article for journals, posters or digital presentations.

Science Posters (Years K-2 only) What is a Science Poster? A decorative science poster is an attractive and visual way to give a public message about an issue that is related to science. It is a way of giving this message clearly, quickly and relies on ‘impact’. A poster for STS is not a project on one page.

Science Videos (Years K-12) What is a Science Video? Science videos for the STS are videos or animations of 60 second duration that clearly explain a science idea on the theme “Energy Evolution”. The videos/animations should be original work filmed in 2013.

Category 3: Inventions What is an invention? Inventions are original applications of technology which solve a problem. The scope for inventions is limited only by your imagination. You are asked to apply your knowledge of science to make a working invention that has a practical application. Your invention may be a new device, method or process that has not existed before or you may choose to look at an existing device and invent a solution that works better.

Designing an invention Designing an invention involves: Choosing a problem to solve Researching ideas or gathering information to help you solve the problem Sketching and writing down several ideas that satisfy your requirements. Selecting and developing the idea that will best solve the problem. Identifying any risks to yourself and others during the making and using of the model* Making a model of your invention Testing the model to see if it solves your problem Evaluating your model to consider any modifications that could be made to improve your model