BHP Billiton Science Awards announced today

The Awards recognise school students who have undertaken practical research projects that demonstrate innovative scientific investigation.

• First Prize: Rosie Watters, from Trinity Anglican School. Her project, submitted by CREST, researched ways to reduce brain injuries in cycle accidents. She found that 25mm thick, low-density polystyrene was the best foam to use in a bicycle helmet. Awarded $2000 and the chance to compete at ISEF, the International Science and Engineering Fair in Reno, Nevada in the USA.

  “The BHP Billiton Science Awards are a partnership between BHP Billiton, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association.”

• Second Prize: Campbell Chambers from the Shore School.  His project, submitted by the Science Teachers Association of New South Wales, showed that polystyrene foam is an effective insulator to use in houses.  He deduced that using insulation can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing the need for air-conditioning.
• Third Prize: Cat Gaggin from Marist Regional College. Her project, submitted by the Science Teachers Association of Tasmania, showed that Bio-sludge was an effective alternative fertilizer to superphosphate, encouraging better plant growth and costing less. But she concluded that bacterial levels should be investigated further before adopting Bio-sludge as a fertilizer.
• GRDC award: Luke Fletcher and Hannah Younger from Marist Regional College.  Their project, submitted by the Science Teachers Association of Tasmania, looked at the effect of fertilizer on the growth of algae in fresh water. They recommend using nitrogen-free fertilizer to prevent the eutrophication of waterways. The GRDC award is given to the students whose project best communicates original research on sustainable plant agriculture. 

The national winners were chosen from 16 State and Territory finalists who attended a science camp in Melbourne from 14-17 February. All finalists received cash prizes.

The students submitted a project which describes their project for the initial selection process. The 16 finalists prepared a poster about their research and explained their methodology to a panel of judges.

The BHP Billiton Science Awards are a partnership between BHP Billiton, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association.

Media note:

The Awards will be presented at a lunch at the Scienceworks Museum, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood, Melbourne. Students can be interviewed with their posters  from 11am and the Awards presentation is from 12-2pm. Media are welcome to attend. The keynote speaker is CSIRO’s Dr Jim Peacock.

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