You always wanted to know
Scientifically answering a question about something you’ve always wanted to know - but are not allowed to Google - was the challenge for Year 9 students who competed in a Science Showcase this week.
About 40 students were chosen to be part of the showcase on the basis of their assessment task in which they scientifically demonstrated or proved the answer to their question and gave a three-minute presentation showing their understanding of their work.
External judges queries the girls about their work, and were were most impressed with the girls’ enthusiasm, creativity and even their choice of questions. They told girls how they found their way into scientific roles and gave general and individual feedback on students’ work and said choosing one winner per category was tough but … the winners are …
Lucinda (Physics) : her experiment tested the accuracy of refraction for testing sugar concentration in drinks (using Snell’s Law).
Jemima (Biology): her work testing the vitamin C content of different-coloured capsicums.
Claudia (Chemistry): her work on electrolytes in different drinks.
Tilly: won for the ‘most useful application’ on how phone use affects reaction time when driving.
Ashleigh: won the ‘most creative’ award for comparing strengths of different types of bioplastics.
And the most effective communicator about her work was Emily, who explained her work on surface tension and temperature.
Our thanks go to volunteer judges - all scientists or professionals with science background - Dr Michael Taplin, Professor William Rawlinson, Dr Alex Bannigan, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, and Ms Marie Renaud.