Science Talent Search Competition 2019 (organised by Science Teachers Association of Victoria)

Students who successfully completed CSIRO CREST projects in 2018 submitted their projects for the state competition - Science Talent Search 2019 (organised by Science Teachers Association of Victoria).

The students were very successful, with all who participated in the Experimental Research Division receiving awards. Those who received major and minor bursary awards were presented their cheques and certificates with Miss Sumaia Elsayed and Mr Alexander Lowdin at the Science Talent Search Presentation day, held at La Trobe University on Monday the 28th of October.

The awards, ranked highest to lowest are as follows:

Major Bursary Award (industry sponsored money prize)
Minor Bursary Award (industry sponsored money prize)
Distinction Award
Merit Award
Acknowledgement Award

Here are the winners:

Junior Experimental Research Division

Names: Zia Lesyin and Lina Benserai
Project title: Passive watering of plants using various cotton wicks
Award: Major Bursary Award $100

Names: Tooba Irfan and Liyana Yusuf
Project title: A fire risk in your wash
Award: Minor Bursary Award $60

Names: Aleena Noor Raziq and Aaiza Syed Faisal
Project title: Can a mere blade grinder create a decent cup of coffee?
Award: Minor Bursary Award $60

Names: Mashal Hussain Sahibzada and Fatima Mousa
Project title: Antibacterial properties of various fabrics worn directly on skin
Award: Minor Bursary Award $60

Names: Rabia Noor, Rayan Al-Mosa and Wafaa Mussa
Project title: Cupcake calamity: Is too little milk just too much?
Award: Distinction Award

Intermediate Experimental Research Division

Name: Sara Saleh
Project title: The effect of storage time on protein contents of Australian chicken eggs
Award: Major Bursary Award $250

Names: Tasnim Thamer and Aarah Alzahabi
Project title: Maximising the amount of protein in yogurt using different milk samples
Award: Major Bursary Award $250

Names: Zainab Al-Fiadh and Nida Ahsan
Project title: Which type of oil preserves bread the longest and extends shelf life?
Awards: Major Bursary Award $250

Names: Alizza Ali, Sadf Gul and Sumaia Khan
Project title: UV blockers made of natural Australian fruit extract
Award: Distinction Award*

Names: Fizah Khalid, Ayah Awad and Inci Baba
Project title: Sweet torture – modifying the parameters for tempering chocolate
Award: Distinction Award*

Names: Faduma Mohamed and Ifra Rizwan
Project title: Landscape toppings that reduced moisture loss of soil during repeated droughts
Award: Merit Award

* indicates students were ineligible for bursary awards due to having CREST project groups greater than two students. Judges noted their outstanding work.

Open Experimental Research Division

Name: Russel Alrubaiey
Project title: Spliceosmome Component 65K in splicing introns in MAPK and BRAF genes
Award: Major Bursary Award $350

Congratulations to our winners who worked so hard on their projects!

All major bursary winners have been selected for entry into the national BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards. We await their results early in 2020. Good luck girls!