The following list is by no means the only competitions available to students this year but they are the ones that ran with great success in 2007 and as a result will run again in 2008.
• Australian Schools Science Competition
• STAV Science Talent Search
• National Youth Science Forum
• Rio-Tinto Big Science Competition
• Australian National Chemistry Quiz
• The Siemens Science Experience.
Also watch the bulletin and OUR's for Optus on-line quiz, Melbourne Uni' workshops in engineering, Vic Uni' technology problem solving challenges, Clunies-Ross meet the scientist days, Swinburne University of Technology experience a snapshot of the life and work of a science researcher workshops, University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Schools Prize, and Victorian College of Pharmacy workshops that all ran in 2007.• The International Competition and Assessment for Schools Science. ( www.eaa.unsw.edu.au ) will be held at the school on Thursday the 29 th of May. Last year the competition attracted 422,000 entries. Our school entered 656 entries of which over 80% achieved a credit or better. Time has been allocated i.e periods 4/5 on that day for the competition to be run. All students in Years 9 and 10 will participate. For students of years 11 and 12 the competition is optional. They will need to register their interest in participating with Mr. Goodey by Thursday 20 th of March. The Science faculty covers all costs so there is no cost to the student. The competition consists of 45 multiple choice questions to be completed in 1hr. There is a different paper at each year level. Calculators are allowed, 1 mark for each question and no marks lost for wrong answers.
• The STAV Science Talent Search ( www.stav.vic.edu.au ) is open to 25 entries from the school. Year 10 students should consider their multimedia presentations from last year and can they be modified to meet the video area. In 2007 most entries that were entered received a bursary (min $50) Students can enter an individual project or a group project per entry. Entries close early May. The Science Department will cover the cost of entering.
• The National Youth Science Forum ( www.nysf.edu.au ) is focussed on students in year 11. It is a two-week residential programme at a University, mixing with other students from year11 who are considering a science or engineering career. The sessions are in Jan 2009. It is supported by Clubs of Rotary International. The cost is about $1500 but Rotary will cover at least half of this cost. Applicants will be required to complete a number of interviews in order to be selected. In 2006 we had two successful applicants. Nominations must be lodged with a Rotary club by early May.
• The Rio-Tinto Big Science Competition ( www.RTBSC.edu.au ) will be held on Thursday 22 th of May. Due to the significant school program, this competition will be run after school. It consists of 30 multiple choice questions to be completed in a maximum time of 75 minutes. There are papers for years 9/10 and for years 11/12. The cost is $3 per student with additional costs paid by the Science Department. While this competition follows the Australian Schools Science Competition, students will need to register with Mr. Goodey (with your $3) by Tuesday 18th of March. In 2007 over 25,000 students entered the competition. From MHS 60 entered, of which 91% of entries achieved a credit or better.
• The Australian National Chemistry Quiz ( www.ancq.com ) will be held on Thursday 26 th of July. Due to the significant school program, this competition will be run after school. It consists of 30 multiple choice questions to be completed in a maximum time of 1 hour. There are papers for years 9/10 and one for year 11 and one for year12. The cost is $3 per student with additional costs paid by the Science Department. Entries close 28 th of April, so students will need to register with Mr. Goodey before that time (with your $3). In 2007 118,000 students entered the competition. From MHS 60 students entered, of which 51 achieved a distinction or better.
• The Siemens Science Experience ( www.scienceexperience.com.au ) is a three-day workshop aimed specifically at Year 9 students going into year 10 in 2009. It is a hands-on program that also has speakers from Scientists, Technology experts and Engineers. The program is held in late September with applications to be in by early August. The cost is $90 but the local Rotary club may cover this fee if you apply to them). See Mr. Goodey for further details or register online at the above site.
Other possible competitions include:
The Australian Science Olympiads ( www.aso.edu.au ) is open to students in year 10 and 11 to take up the Science Olympiad challenge through the 2008 National Qualifying Examinations. Entry to the NQE is free, with a selective focus on one discipline - Biology (27 th Aug.), Chemistry (3 th Sept.) or Physics (20 th Aug.). It consists of a two-hour examination, with all participants recognised and the top 10% invited to attend 16-day residential school at the Australian National University in January 2009 to build students ability to first year university level. Registrations must be in by 27th of June.
The BHP-Billiton Awards ( www.scienceawards.bhpbilliton.com ) are for students who have undertaken practical research projects, which demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific procedure. Entries can be independent or the project completed as part of your science assessment. Entries close mid June.