Students

Category C - Scientific Investigations

Who can enter

This category is open to students in Years 4 - 12.

What to do

Choose a topic
Keep a day-by-day reflective journal that explains what you do and why
Ask questions about your topic
Collect the necessary background information
Design and perform one or more experiments that will make up the investigation
Analyse the results and draw your conclusions
Present a report to tell others what you did and what you found out, including any references and acknowledgement of the assistance you receive
Display the project as a poster.

What makes a winning entry?

Interesting topics, and clearly set out research with an accompanying report that includes scientific thought. The report needs to include:

Question
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
i) Determination of variables to control
ii) Fair testing steps
Results
i) Observation
ii) Measurements, graphics and text
Discussion - what the results mean referring to hypothesis
Conclusion - ideas on how the research could be modified

Your report 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 report should:

be a record of what was completed on different days and should contain evidence of scientific thought
be a series of handwritten and sketched ideas
assist you in making sense of your science learning
be an accurate and detailed notation of your findings, decisions and thought processes that will assist in your project becoming the winning entry
be consistent and thorough, and acknowledge any assistance received.

Poster - A single or series of diagrams/paintings/drawings with or without text wthich communicates a scientific concept. The poster (corflute board will be suppiled by USQ) must be flat or two dimensional and diagrams must be hand drawn or computer generated. The cartoons/images must not be subject to copyright otherwise a letter stating that you have recieved permission to use the work must accompany the entry.

Students should consult the judging criteria for further information.