Category A - Communicating Science
The aim of these projects is to explain/clarify/communicate a scientific concept to a specified audience. Scientific concepts (or ideas or principles) include the following examples: buoyancy, why things dissolve, and how diseases are transmitted.
What to do
Choose a scientific concept that is clearly related to sustainability and present a science communication medium (a poster, PowerPoint presentation, a video/DVD, a game, a website, a comic strip), a reflective journal and a written report.
Your written or typed report should:
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clearly explain the scientific concept you have chosen
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include your background research information, references and permission to use copyrighted material (if applicable)
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identify and describe the target audience (examples could be: preschool students, aged pensioners without a scientific background, the general community)
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justify your choice of communication medium for your target audience
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explain how you designed your entry (eg worked out what to do).
Your reflective journal is very important in showing the purpose behind the study, and the way in which the question evolved and was tackled, as well as a record of how the work progressed (including the disasters). The best projects engage the viewer in the excitement and tribulations of the investigator and provide a new insight on the topic, even one that appears to have been thoroughly worked over. Your reflective journal should:
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be a record of what was completed on different days and should contain evidence of scientific thought
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be a series of handwritten and sketched ideas
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assist you in making sense of your science learning
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be an accurate and detailed notation of your findings, decisions and thought processes that will assist in your project becoming the winning entry
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be consistent and thorough, and acknowledge any assistance received.
Choices of communication mode
Cartoon/ comic strip- A single or series of cartoons which are hand drawn or computer generated which communicate a scientific concept, that could relate to an everyday experience or science fiction.The presentation must not exceed an A2 size (594cm x 420cm).The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have received permission to use the work must accompany the entry.
Game- The game may be a board or a computer generated game which communicates a scientific concept.The game must be an original piece of work and clear Instructions for running the program must be included.
Poster- A single or series of diagrams/paintings/drawings with or without text which communicates a scientific concept. The poster must be flat or two dimensional and diagrams must be hand drawn or computer generated. The text must be your own words and hand written and the presentation must not exceed an A2 size (594cm x 420cm).The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have received permission to use the work must accompany the entry.
PowerPoint presentation- A series of slides with or without sound which communicates a scientific concept.The presentation must be an original piece of work. The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have received permission to use the work must accompany the entry.
Video/DVD/animation/simulation- A visual media presentation which communicates a scientific principle.The presentation must be an original piece of work and be no longer 5 minutes.The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have received permission to use the work must accompany the entry.
Website- The presentation must be an original piece of work.The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have received permission to use the work must accompany the entry.The website may be in any language and clear Instructions for running the program must be included.
Student should consult the judging criteria for further information.