Aspiring scientists and engineers will be visiting the University of Tasmania tomorrow (Thursday, 12 September) for the final leg of a state-wide competition.
Around 245 students in years 5–12 will be participating in the southern judging event of the annual Science and Engineering Investigation Awards.
The competition encourages inspiring minds to exercise scientific and engineering thought, conduct research, problem solve and explore their curiosity.
Over several months, students have been working individually and in teams to investigate a hypothesis of their choice through experimentation and design.
They will now present their findings to judges through interactive and informative displays, with stand-out projects to be shortlisted for a formal awards event.
Students have entered work across the categories of Physical Sciences, Health and Wellbeing, Engineering, Engineering Design, Agricultural Science, and Environment and Marine Science.
State Coordinator Jeannie-Marie LeRoi said that the University was excited to be welcoming hundreds of students with a keen interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) to the event.
“The Science and Engineering Investigation Awards give students the opportunity to investigate topics of their choice and to explore new solutions. Events like this help young people realise that anyone can find a link to science in everyday life. It’s all about discovery and solving problems,” Ms LeRoi said.
This year’s southern projects include entries that demonstrate the movement of fluid through chambers of the human heart, investigate how waves might contribute to the volume of plastic found on beaches, explore whether facial expressions are contagious and can transfer emotions, test AAA batteries to see which brand claims are accurate, and delve into what effect age has on reaction times.
The southern competition follows judging day events in Burnie (3–4 September) and Launceston (5 September).
The final presentation of awards will take place on Wednesday, 18 September.
- WHAT: Science and Engineering Investigation Awards judging day (South)
- WHEN: Thursday, 12 September, 9.30am–12pm
- WHERE: Activities Centre, Level 1, TUU Building, Churchill Ave, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay (google maps pin: bit.ly/activitiescentre)
