SASTA will be adding resources, links and ideas for students developing a project for The Oliphant Science Awards!
Keep checking back for more updates and articles throughout this years competition...
If you're looking for information about a specific category, type it into the search function below to see what's available!
Science Writing ideas
on 15/06/2022
Are you stuck on your Science Writing entry? Here are some great places to start or some resources to add to your current project! Click on the links below.
Bioluminescence
We are proud to have the Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand as our Science Writing Category sponsor this year!
You can view all the 2021 Science Writing winning entries here.
- How Moana tricked Tamatoa with science...
- Understanding the natural wonder of bioluminescence
- Bioluminescence in Jervis Bay
- Bioluminescent beauties: Australian creatures that glow
Endangered Species Recovery
Ideas:
- Rewilding animals
- Endangered animals on Kangaroo Island after bushfires
- Plants in suburbs - is it good to simply scatter flowering seeds in the aim of increasing biodiversity? What are the impacts and considerations?
References:
- Rewilding Australia
- With fewer animals to spread their seeds, plants could have trouble adapting to climate change
- Why Endangered Species Matter
- Struggling to conserve seed biodiversity: the gaps and wisdom in current research
- Invasive Species: What You Can Do
Life Without the Lightbulb
Should Animals be Used for Research?
Idea: Be an animal in a lab and then be a human in need of insulin - research how insulin is made - are animals involved in the production of insulin? If not now, were they? What if it never happened, would we have insulin for people with Diabetes?
References:
- The History of a Wonderful Thing We Call Insulin
- The ethics of animal research. Talking Point on the use of animals in scientific research
- Why Animal Research?
- Why Do Scientists Use Animals in Research?
Developing a Green Future
Ideas:
- Does being ‘green’ mean you have to be vegan?
- What animals can we grow to prevent carbon dioxide and methane entering the atmosphere, and still produce animals for eating?
- What happens when we remove an old gum tree from the environment
How are the Technical Properties of Glass Changing the World?
First Nation Science
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Look up Deadly Science and Corey Tutt OAM. Find his books and read up on Young Dark Emu by Uncle Bruce Pascoe
Air Quality
Idea: In April 1970, Apollo 13 carried three astronauts to the Moon. The mission was aborted (cancelled!) because there was a problem with the air quality filter machines. The astronauts had to invent a way to create breathable air or else they would die- what did they do? What would you do?
Resources:
- Air Quality | EPA
- Air aware: air quality lessons for teachers and experiments for curious kids
- What's hiding in the air?
- 8 Student Experiments to Measure Air Quality
Have you considered if being able to see the ‘stuff’ in air would change others perception about the quality of air we breathe and the massive job we give our nose hairs and back of the throat in protecting us?
The photos below are some examples of what was filtered out of air, viewed through a light microscope.
Air Quality: Emissions and Monitoring
on 15/06/2022
We're excited to have the Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand sponsoring the Science Writing category this year! They have an amazing prize on offer for year 9-12 students for the best student entry from Science Writing or Scientific Inquiry that addresses Air Quality: Emissions and Monitoring. The...
Programming, Apps & Robotics appointments now open
on 14/06/2022
If you have registered a Programming, Apps & Robotics project for the Oliphant Science Awards, you are now able to book your appointment with our judges! Appointments can be booked online here. Don't forget that you also need to upload your report via our online project submission platform by Friday...
Judging the Models & Inventions Category
on 08/06/2022
What is it like to be a judge in the Oliphant Science Awards? We met some previous judges and asked them why they think the Oliphants are important, why they judge and whether they had any hints or tips for entrants. Models & Inventions Category Sam Moyle (Brighton Secondary School)...
Crystal Investigation: control of temperature
on 01/06/2022
by Ian McMahon The first article in the blog focussed on two of the principal factors that can affect the success of growing award winning crystals. These were the quality of the solute, alum – how pure is it? and the quality of the solvent, water - again related to...
2022 PRC STEM Competition Open Now!
on 25/05/2022
SASTA and the Oliphant Science Awards are proud to be partnering with Inspiring SA and the Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) to support this year’s STEM Reading and Design Challenge. This competition challenges you to read about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in the lead up to National Science Week....
Judging the Games Category
on 11/05/2022
What is it like to be a judge in the Oliphant Science Awards? We met some previous judges and asked them why they think the Oliphants are important, why they judge and whether they had any hints or tips for entrants. Games Category Anita Trenwith (Uni SA Connect Team: SASTA...
Eugene Lee - Oliphant Science Trophy Winner 2021
on 04/05/2022
by Eugene Lee, Pedare Christian College I'm so honoured and privileged to have received the Oliphant Trophy. I’ve participated in the Oliphant Science Awards every year since I was a Year three student in 2017, where I won the Australian Institute of Physics Prize and First Place for my Models...
Crystal Investigation
on 27/04/2022
by Ian McMahon The substance, alum, is almost the principal factor for achieving some degree of success in growing good crystals. The percentage purity of the alum needs to be high so that contaminant particles do not disrupt the proper crystal formation. The source of alum therefore must be considered...
Country Schools: Participating in the Oliphant Science Awards
on 13/04/2022
The Oliphant Science Awards (OSA) are open for all South Australian schools to enter – whether that be entering individual students or entire student cohorts. We asked the Oliphant Coordinators from 3 different regional schools about their involvement with the competition. Here are their responses along with images of some...
Tall Poppy Award for Scientific Inquiry - Prize Winner's Experience
on 06/04/2022
by Sienna Hill My name is Sienna Hill, and I am a Year 10 student at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College. Through the Tall Poppy Award that I was awarded last year, I was gifted with a Science mentor – Professor Justin Chalker. Professor Chalker serves as the...
The Science of Weather and Bushfires
on 22/07/2021
by Chris Sedunary and Belinda Dunbar, CFS The science of weather is called meteorology. At the Country Fire Service, during bushfire season we have a staff member from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) with us throughout the season. Meteorologists study the weather and try to forecast it. Forecasting the weather...
Multimedia: the animation process
on 09/07/2021
by Asira Suetrong Are you thinking about using animation for your multimedia project? Asira provides insight into her process for animating her multimedia projects in the video below! If you're not sure where to start with your Multimedia project, check out Asira's first video which includes researching your idea and...
Priyanka’s five tips for a successful Science Inquiry!
on 08/07/2021
by Priyanka Thavarajah The first step to a successful Science Inquiry is the experiment itself. I have found that, especially in the higher years, doing an experiment around a current topic gives it purpose. Be creative with the set up to try and make the conditions as real as possible....
A short guide to Science Writing
on 01/07/2021
by Anita Suetrong Not sure where to start on your Science Writing entry? Check out Anita's tips for creating your entry in the video below! While you have to choose one of the 2021 Science Writing titles for your project, you have the freedom to write in any genre you...
1993/1994 Oliphant Science Awards Trophy Winner – Mark Hodson
on 29/06/2021
by Mark Hodson I was the first two-time winner of the Oliphant Science Awards, entering on both occasions in the computer category. The recognition and the opportunities that came with the award helped cement my love of systematic problem solving and computer programming, leading to an engineering career with international...
Regan's inspiring journey through OSA
on 24/06/2021
video by Regan Nelson Regan was first encouraged to enter the Oliphant Science Awards by his Reception teacher in 2011. He has entered a project every year since with a number of winning entries over the years! Regan always hated writing and when he was in Year 2 he was...
Bushfire Safety Tips for your Poster entry
on 11/06/2021
by Chris Sedunary and Belinda Dunbar, CFS Chris and Belinda from the CFS have put together some helpful hints for students making a 2021 poster entry about bushfire safety. You and your family's safety and survival during a bushfire can depend on how prepared you are, and the decisions you...
A Short Guide on how to Create a Scientific Inquiry Project
on 04/06/2021
by Raihanah Pranggono, 2020 Oliphant Trophy Winner Based on my own experience, the following steps might help you in the development of your very own Scientific Inquiry! Choose a research domain that is appealing to you: To do this, you can derive some bright ideas from a pastime that you...
2004 Oliphant Science Awards Trophy Winner - Alyssa Fitzpatrick
on 11/05/2021
by Alyssa Fitzpatrick The five test tubes sat in the corner of the lab benches, each containing different brightly coloured liquids. As the Year 10 students rushed into class, chattering amongst themselves after lunch, they were directed to each of the test tubes, and asked to smell them. Which was...
A Primary Years Student Perspective on the Oliphant Science Awards
on 04/05/2021
by Chloe Lambden (10 years old) Entering the Oliphant Science Awards (OSA), from Year 1 (2017), I have now been doing it for 5 years running. I have entered the categories of Science Writing, Crystal Investigation, Photography and Posters over that time. I like doing my projects and being lucky...
Photography from a judge's perspective
on 15/04/2021
by Elizabeth Anderson, Mitcham Girls High School Over the years of involvement with the Photography section of the Oliphant Science Awards I have been lucky enough to have judged work from Years 2 through 12 and to have supported our own students produce some outstanding work. It’s amazing the quality...
1995 Oliphant Science Awards Trophy Winner - Kyra Reznikov
on 05/04/2021
by Kyra Reznikov BE(Chem)(1st class Hons) LLB(with Hons) I have always liked solving puzzles and been curious about the world around me. I think that’s why I enjoy science, and it’s certainly why I love my job so much. Today I’m an environmental lawyer, and I wouldn’t be where I...
Multimedia: Researching your idea & script writing
on 01/04/2021
by Asira Suetrong Are you stuck on how to start your Multimedia Project? Asira provides some insights into her process for researching accurate information and tips & tricks for script writing in the video below. Firstly, check the category details (this applies to all categories)! Some important things to keep...
How to win in the Games category from a Judge's perspective
on 25/03/2021
by Dagmar Preusker The Oliphant Science Awards attract a very high standard of entries as well as a large number from right across South Australia, this means that unfortunately there isn’t the time to play every game and check them all for scientific content so a process of shortlisting occurs...