Science Investigation Awards - Student 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 UWA Science Investigation Awards!
What are the Awards?
The PICSE Science Investigation Awards are an opportunity for Year 8, 9 and 10 students to investigate a topic and hypothesis of their OWN CHOICE to find out answers with a hands-on and fun approach to science. Winning investigations receive cash prizes of up to $500.
Simply pick a topic that interests you, pose a hypothesis, carry out experiments and work towards answering your question using scientific methodology (it’s really like Myth Busters!).
You then present your findings as a poster (presentation board) and report. These are entered into the awards at your school. The top three investigations from each year group entered from your school will then be selected to attend the PICSE UWA Science Investigation Awards at UWA. These investigations will be judged by scientists and industry representatives who select winners based on:
Scientific method – Check out Science Investigation Report for guidance
Scientific report – Check out Tips for Report Writing for guidance
Visual display – Check out Tips for Visual Display for guidance
Who can enter?
The Science Investigation Awards are open to any student in years 8, 9 and 10 from any school in the Great Southern and Perth Metropolitan areas of Western Australia. Schools need to contact PICSE UWA and submit their Expression of Interest details. Fill out this form and send it to Belinda Pope (Belinda.pope@uwa.edu.au) by April 27th 2012 to enter.
Can I win prizes?
Yes! Your report and poster will be judged at your schools Science Investigation Awards where there may be prizes up for grabs (this is up to your school). The top three investigations in your year group will be invited to the PICSE UWA Science Investigation Awards at UWA. Your investigation will then be judged by industry scientists at the Science Investigation Awards – you have the chance to win prizes of up to $500! This prize money is for you, not the school, unless you want to share it with them. There are a number of awards that judges will be presenting on the day so there will be lots of cash prizes to be won!
Why should you enter?
The Science Investigation Awards is a great way to show off and improve your science skills and get involved in real-life science, individually or as a pair. This is your chance to answer that burning question and to have fun with science in an area that interests you. You’ll gain valuable skills, solve problems, work with other students, meet scientists, complete an assessment while having fun, learn a lot and maybe even win some cash prizes (prizes range from $50 to $500)!
What do you need to do?
You need to plan, conduct and report on an investigation of your choice! The topic for your investigation is completely up to you but you must check with your teacher first. Check out the Science Investigation Report link to make sure you are on the right track. (HINT: this is what the judges use as a score sheet. Make sure you cover all areas!) If you are stuck for ideas check out Ideas for Investigations as a guide, however make sure it is something that interests you and you have designed the experiment yourself. You are to work individually or as a pair. Finally, if you are one of the three winning investigations in your year at your school, you must be present at the PICSE Science Investigation Awards event at The University of Western Australia on Tuesday the 27th of July from 9am to 2:40pm. We will also be holding the Science Investigation Awards on Friday the 24th of August 2012 in Albany.
What help do I get?
Your teacher will be there to help guide you and answer any questions that you may have. Make sure you ask them for assistance and advice. They are there to help and support you. The teacher also has a number of resources to assist you with this whole process. Make sure you check out www.picse.net/UWA for online resources and check lists to make sure you are on your way to winning $500.
Each investigation will receive materials to make a presentation board for you to present your investigation on for the event. Other materials that you may require are to be discussed with your teacher with plenty of notice. 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 you really don’t want to miss out. Winning money for a class project that you have to do anyways is a pretty good deal!
What do I do now?
Choose an investigation that interests you and that you will get excited about when doing your investigation as science really is fun! Make sure you carry out prior research on your topic to ensure it will work. Make sure you check out these links as they will help you get towards winning the $500!
– Check out Science Investigation Report
– Check out Tips for Report Writing
– Check out Tips for Visual Display
(HINT: This is what the judge’s use as a score sheet. Make sure you cover all areas! Tick them off as you go)
Now start planning and get investigating!
The 2011 Science Investigation Awards were a huge success! See the Hall of Fame (link on the right) for pictures and results.