Young Scientist Awards deadline approaching fast

The NSW Young Scientist Awards are a great initiative of the NSW Science Teachers Association and participation is the only route to the national and international science fairs.

STANSW Young Scientist provides over $25,000 in prizes for the State Fair. Winners can progress to the BHP Science and Engineering Awards and to the International Science and Engineering Fair. For both the prizes and the experience it is really worth entering projects.

There are three categories – working scientifically, working mathematically, and working technologically. Between them they basically cover STEM. One thing which sets this competition apart from many others is that the judging is based upon the portfolio of work as much as the outcome – students don’t do a live pitch and the expectation is that there will be a depth of documentation to back up the result. It’s also worth noting that as many schools and regions don’t have their own fairs, it is possible to enter directly at the State level (a quick read of the website might lead you to think otherwise).

Midnight on Friday 18 August is the closing date for submission of models and innovations (although HSC works get some extra time). The details can all be found on the STANSW Young Scientist website.

If you are the parent or teacher of young scientists or engineers you really shouldn’t miss this opportunity – the experience and the possibility of the national and international competitions is not to be missed.