Science Talent Search

Student article published in LabTalk: The Secondary Science Journal of the Science Teachers Association of Victoria (STAV) Inc.

As part of the Year 8 Science curriculum, all students design a project. The best are then entered in the STAV Science Talent Search. Emily Ghantous, now in Year 9 d’Houet, last year wrote the following article, which has recently been published in LabTalk (Volume 60 No.1 2016):

“Science has the ability to inspire and challenge you. And that is exactly what the Science Talent Search did for me. Every Year 8 student was asked to complete a science experiment, and then to write about the experiment in a particular format. The best four reports in each class were then submitted into the statewide competition for judging by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc’s, Science Talent Search.

“The subjects people chose to conduct their experiments on were extremely interesting and varied. The topic I chose to conduct my experimental research on was to “Investigate the Yarra River’s Turbidity, Temperature, and pH levels, at three different sites”. Some other topics by other students from our school included: “The Battle of the Detergents”, “Testing Different Brands of Tennis Balls” and “Comparing Plant Growth in Various Fertilizer Mixtures” – to name a few.

“For our entries in the Experimental Research section, Genazzano students were awarded six major bursary prizes and five minor bursary awards. We were most fortunate to have our awards presented to us by Dr Peter Czabotar, an eminent and world class research scientist, who has recently discovered a new protein in the blood.

“This was an extremely worthwhile experience, and on behalf of Year 8, I would like to thank the Science Department for their support, throughout this competition.”