Science Talent Search Competition 2020 (organised by the Science Teachers Association of Victoria)
It’s been a busy and challenging year for the CSIRO CREST elective during the COVID-19 lockdown. Our CREST students have risen to the challenge and have been doing projects from home under trying circumstances with grit and dedication. Well done students!
A big thank you to Mr Alexander Lowdin for his work in CREST, and to our EMC Maintenance staff for delivering project materials and equipment to students’ homes via the school buses.
CREST students who successfully completed CSIRO CREST science research projects in 2019 had their research projects entered into the state Science Talent Search Competition 2020, organised by Science Teachers Association of Victoria (STAV).
Sirius College students were very successful this year, with all who participated in the Experimental Research Division receiving awards donated from industry sponsors, totalling $2440.
They will be presented at the Science Talent Search Presentation day at school Monday 16th November at 2:20-2:40pm via a Zoom presentation hosted by STAV, instead of the traditional La Trobe University event due to lockdown restrictions.
As judges and moderators for the Intermediate Experimental Research Division, Mr Alex and I agree that the quality of Sirius College students’ overall work was excellent and students should feel proud of their efforts. Good science was followed with good communication in their reports.
The awards, ranked highest to lowest are as follows:
Here are the winners:
Junior Experimental Research Division
Names: Emir Cicek and Arda Anaz
Project title: Does the addition of mango husk powder to soil affect the height of spring onion?
Award: Minor Bursary Award $180 (sponsored by The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Names: Junaid Asif and Ayan Ahmed
Project title: Is biochar beneficial for growing plants?
Award: Minor Bursary Award $180 (sponsored by Rowe Scientific)
Names: Omar Fahd and Hadi Syed
Project title: The antibacterial properties of pomegranates
Award: Distinction Award
Intermediate Experimental Research Division
Names: Sanawar Shakeel and Eesa Hussain
Project title: Does biochar help rejuvenate soil and help boost plant growth?
Award: Major Bursary Award $350 (sponsored by The BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards, managed by CSIRO)
Names: Zain Chohan and Zain Atif (past student)
Project title: Cheesy delight: producing the highest amount of curds in cheese using different vinegars
Award: Major Bursary Award $350 (sponsored by The Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Names: Iftikhar Ahsan Abraham Rajput-Bhatti
Project title: Using thermoplastics to waterproof prosthetics
Award: Minor Bursary Award $250 (sponsored by Engineers Australia)
Names: Muhammad Shayan Amer and Muhammad Ahmad Amin
Project title: Huon Pine as an antibacterial substance
Award: Distinction Award
Congratulations to our winners who worked so hard on their projects!
Mr Jamie Astill