The 5th annual Young Scientists of the Year Award competition is now open!
It’s the International Year of Chemistry and students from 7 to 12 years old can enter for a chance to win $3000 for their school and $500 for the winning student group. Entries close 23 September.
About the award
The NATA Young Scientists of the Year Award started in 2007 to foster an interest in science among school children, and in response to concerns that Australia's scientific expertise is in decline. Now in its fifth year, the competition encourages students to look at how science impacts on people's lives.
Every school across Australia is invited to submit a science project in the competition to win cash prizes. In recognition of 2011 being the International Year of Chemistry, this year’s theme is “Chemistry in our Lives”.
The NATA Young Scientists of the Year Award initiative to encourage young scientists has been strongly supported by the Commonwealth and state governments. Click here to read the media release from Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr.
The aims and purpose of the competition are:
- to promote to children the benefits and value of science.
- to provide students with the opportunity to participate in science on a national platform.
- to encourage students to apply their creativity to scientific solutions.
- to demonstrate the importance of good presentation skills in science.
This year we are delighted to welcome sponsors Snap Printing. Information on the services they can provide can be found at www.snap.com.au
The Competition Rules
Entry to the NATA Young Scientists of the Year Award is free and open to individuals and class groups in primary schools across Australia.
There are three age groups eligible for this competition (birthdays as at 30 June 2011):
7 & 8 year olds; 9 & 10 year olds and 11 & 12 year olds.
Since 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry – and this is an official IYC event - this year’s theme is “Chemistry in our Lives”. Students are asked to submit a project of their choice that demonstrates chemistry in our every day lives – everything from soap to suspensions! Entries will be judged on innovation, research and presentation.
Each submission should contain a title, a written element and a visual element. The written element should consist of 300 to 500 words detailing the project’s aims, execution and results. For the visual element, entrants could submit their projects in any form, including:
- Pictures and words in a scrap book
- A video or DVD presentation (maximum five minutes)
- A demonstration model or apparatus
- Computer graphics or other digital media
- Poster 841mm x 591mm in landscape or portrait
- A diorama no larger than A3 on its platform no higher than 210mm.
All submitted materials must be wholly designed and produced by the entrant(s). There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted to the Award from one school. However each entry MUST be accompanied by an entry form downloaded from the NATA website.
The entries will be judged by a team of NATA scientists from a range of scientific disciplines. The judges decision will be final.
Entry
Entries should be sent to NYSYA 2011, NATA Communications Department, PO Box 7507, Silverwater, NSW 2128 for receipt no later than 23 September.
The entries MUST be accompanied by an official NATA entry form, which can be downloaded from the NATA website.
All entries will be acknowledged by email once received by the Communications Department. At the conclusion of the competition, all entrants will receive a certificate.
NATA cannot accept any responsibility for postal costs or damage to submitted entries.
Announcement of the winners
Winners will be informed by telephone to the contact shown on the entry form, usually a teacher or principal of the school. The names of the winners will also be posted on the NATA website.
The winners will also be announced to national, regional and local media. NATA will liaise fully with winning schools prior to any announcement to media. No names, addresses or other information connected to the school or its pupils will be disclosed to media without prior consent of the school. NATA will seek to provide full cooperation with the schools, if required, in handling media enquiries.
Winning schools (with permission of their Department's media unit) may like to use award results to promote themselves to the local media. As well as raising the profile of individual schools, publicity of this nature provides an opportunity to highlight the practical and fun side of science.
The Awards Presentation
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. The total prize pool is valued at $10,500 which is made up as follows: $3,000 to the winning school in each age group of 7 & 8 year olds; 9 & 10 year olds and 11 & 12 year olds plus $500 to be given directly to the winning student group.
Every entrant will receive a certificate.
Prizes will be presented to the winning schools at an appropriate school event. NATA’s Communications Department will liaise directly with the winning schools to determine when this will take place.
For any enquiries about the NATA Young Scientists of the Year Award, please contact Diane Lyons, Marketing & Communications Coordinator on (02) 9736 8255 or email
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