BHP Billiton Science
Awards
NOTE: this is only a guide - we're trying to get updated info
What is it?
- Australia's most prestigious science awards
- Awards that reward young people who have undertaken practical research
projects which demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific
procedure
- Open to all Australian permanent residents enrolled full-time in primary
or secondary schools in Australia, or undertaking full-time secondary
study in TAFE colleges.
- Groups of up to three students may enter
- Closing date for entry is ususally mid-year
How do I find
it?
Who runs it?
- Sponsored by BHP since 1981
- Managed by BHP Billiton
- Run in conjunction with CSIRO, Australia's
premier scientific research institution
How much will
it cost?
- Entry and participation is free
What's in
it for the students?
- Winners: The winner of each
of the 4 categories can win $1,000, a commemorative plaque, a trip on
an exciting two-day Science Camp and travel to the Presentation Day
event in Melbourne. They will also win a Plaque for their school.
- Finalists: 12 finalists will win prizes of $100,
a trip on an exciting two day Science Camp, Certificate of Excellence
and travel to the Presentation Day event in Melbourne.
- Certificates of Merit: 100 encouragement prizes
of $50 and a Certificate of Merit are on offer for entries of a high
standard.
- Encouragement Award: 50 prize packs will be awarded
to primary aged students.
- School of the Year Award: The School producing
the most prize-winning entries will win one award of $2000.
What do students
need to do?
Students
need to put together their project, first choosing the topic. The topic
can be almost anything of a scientific nature and needs to be classified
in one of these categories:
- Biology and Microbiology (animals, plants, horticulture,
medicine, bacteria, fungi, yeasts etc).
- Chemistry and Biochemistry (elements and compounds and the way they
interact including the chemistry involved in living things such as enzymes).
- Physics, Engineering and Technology (technology and engineering projects
that have been researched and designed, made and then appraised or a
physics study such as energy, forces, optics and magnetism).
- Environmental and Earth Science (environmental questions such as pollution,
waste and conservation, and earth science such as geology, hydrology
and climatology).
Students
must plan their research carefully and use scientific method, procedure
and system. Projects should include controls and variables and should
be repeated under identical conditions. Students should consider different
variables. The experiment's progress should be recorded in a logbook.
How are the
prizes awarded?
There
is an extensive list of requirements for the research report entry presentation.
These are presented on the website.
The
scoring for the Student Awards is as follows:
- Scientific Procedure 40%
- Ingenuity 40%
- Practical Value or Contribution to Knowledge 20%
Full
judging criteria are available on the website. The age of the student
is not taken into account in judging.
What's in
it for mentors?
- Reporters from newspapers, television or radio,
may contact some entrants, seeking information on their projects. By
publicizing entrants' work we can show others that they can also join
in, enjoy the BHP Science Awards and learn by taking part.
- The BHP Billiton Science Awards foster scientific endeavor in your
school while promoting professional development.
- Entering the Awards creates opportunities to promote and publicize
your school's activities.
- An acknowledgment of all assistance received is required as part of
the project. Entrants must clearly explain who helped, their position
and how they assisted.
The BHP Billiton Science
Teachers Awards
- BHP Billiton Science Teacher Awards recognize outstanding
contributions made by class-room teachers to science education
- The BHP Billiton Science Teacher Awards reward excellence in the development
and delivery of science programmes. Excellence in teaching may be demonstrated
in a range of curricular, administrative and geographical environments.
The awards are intended to highlight this diversity of excellence rather
than restrict it.
- A winner will be selected in each of two categories - Primary and
Secondary. Winning classroom teachers will receive $5000 each, a commemorative
plaque and travel to the Presentation Day in Melbourne. Four teachers
will win $500 each and a Highly Commended certificate. Ten teachers
will win $100 each and a Certificate of Merit.
- The BHP Billiton Science Teacher
Awards are open to Australian permanent residents who are primary and
secondary school science teachers currently teaching in the classroom.
- Teachers may nominate themselves, or be nominated by any member of
the community: students, school principals, parents, CSIROSEC co-ordinators,
teachers
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