Teacher Information
Ever wondered if chocolate really gives you pimples? What juice has the highest vitamin C content? Which animal poo makes plants grow faster? Or does having breakfast improve your concentration? Then get involved in the PICSE Flinders Science Investigation Awards!
What are the Awards?
The PICSE Science Investigation Awards are an opportunity for year 5 to 12 students to investigate a topic of their choice and research a hypothesis to find out answers with a hands on and fun approach to science. Winning investigations will receive cash prizes of up to $500 with thanks to our generous sponsors. Students simply pick a science topic that interests them, pose a hypothesis, do some experiments and work to answer their question using scientific methodology (its really like Myth Busters!). Check out the 2009 Hall of Fame.
Students then present their findings up as a poster and report. The poster and the report are entered into the awards. They will be judged by scientists and industry representatives who select winners based on:
- Scientific method – Click on Science Investigation Report in the Student Online Resource for guidance
- Scientific report – Click on Tips for Report Writing in the Student Online Resource for guidance
- Visual display – Click on Tips for Visual Display in the Student Online Resource for guidance
Who can enter?
The Science Investigation Awards are open to any student in year 5 to 12 from any school in the Southern or Metropolitan areas of South Australia. Click on the Application Form fill it out and hand to the SEO on their visit or contact them to enter.
Can students win prizes?
Yes! Students report and poster will be judged by industry scientists at the Science Investigation Awards – students have the chance to win prizes of up to $500! There are a number of awards that judges will be looking for on the day so there will be lots of cash prizes to be won!
Why should a teacher enter their class?
The Science Investigation Awards are a great way for students to show off their science skills, improve their science skills and do some real-life science, individually or in a team. This is a great chance for them to answer that burning question that they have and to have fun with science in an area that interests them. Students will gain valuable skills, solve problems, work with other students, meet new people, have fun, complete an assessment while having fun, learn a lot and maybe even win some cash prizes! In fact Prizes range from $50 to $500.
What do students need to do?
Students will need to plan, conduct and report on an investigation of their choice! The topic for their investigation is completely up to them but they must check with their teacher first. Check out the Science Investigation Report link to assist the students to make sure they are on the right track. If they are stuck for ideas on what to investigate, they can check out the Ideas for Investigations link as a guide but it is best if the investigation is on a topic that interests them and they will need to design the experiment themselves. They can work individually or in a team of two. Finally, all students and their teacher must be present at the PICSE Science Investigation Awards event at Flinders University.
What help do the students get?
The teacher is there to help guide the students and answer any questions that they may have. Your PICSE Science Education Officer (Contact Details) will also be able to assist the teacher and the student’s throughout the investigations by email or phone. Sylvia will come and visit the class to introduce the Science Investigation Awards to show the class how it all works and to get the students started. Sylvia will also make a second visit to see the experiments in action and to see all of the awesome and amazing investigations that will have been planned out and in progress. Sylvia will also make a third and final visit to the class where he will view the final product being the presentation boards, reports, pictures and props, and listen to the presentations. This is a great way for the students to practice being confident in their work when the judges ask questions about their investigation.
PICSE will supply each investigation with a presentation board and header board for students to present their investigation on for the event. Other materials that they may require for their investigation and presentation board are to be discussed with the teacher with plenty of notice. PICSE will also have the event fully set up ready to walk in, set up and have some fun. There will be activities for student’s to be involved in on the day, food and drinks will be provided and the awards and prizes will be handed out at the awards ceremony at the end of the event. The Science Investigation Awards are a great event and schools really don’t want to miss out!
What is the next step if a school wants to be involved?
Contact The PICSE SEO and plan a time to discuss how the program will work best for the teacher and the class. The SEO will also assist to plan times and dates to get the most out of the program to promote fun with science, open learning and effective and valuable assessment.
If you would like to register or find out more contact:
The PICSE Science Education Officer can be contacted by clicking the 'Contact Us' tab above