Science+Talent+Search

=**Science Talent Search, 2011**=

This year's topic: **__"React to Chemistry!"__**

The official STS website is [|here]. It is run by the Science Teachers' Association of Victoria ([|STAV] ).

The STS is a competition open to school students in which they can chose to make a video, or photo collection, do an experiment, make an invention, a poster, a written essay, a game, a video/computer game or simulation, and possibly other activities to best illustrate some topic in science, particularly the given topic "Australian Biodiversity". There are prizes for the best entries, and the possibility of launching into a science career!


 * __Some examples of past topics__**• Do emus eat flowers and grass?• Do seeds grow better with tank or grey water?• Does smell affect taste?• Does micro-waved water affect plant growth?• Does a bicycle travel further with tyres inflated?

The best scoring topics involve things relevant to Australia, current topics in science, showing something actually working, something novel, something well presented and complete, some way of showing that the entrant actually did all the work (e.g., a video or photo folio showing stages of completion).

Things that don't score well include: the classic volcano model, non-scientific items and drawings, things not written with Australian English spelling, inventions and experiments that don't work or require a lot of setting up, especially if dangerous or cruel, things that are not clear or obvious.


 * //__ Important dates 2011 __//**

Friday 28th January – Setting up the room (LTO and HRE) First KLA meeting of the year: Hand out staff packs
 * //__ TERM 1 __//**
 * 14th of Feb - Week 2:** Teachers spend a double period on STS. First period show the powerpoint slide as an introduction about what it is. Second period in computer rooms starting to research. All students need STS project report handout.
 * 21st of Feb - Week 3:** One period in the computer room for research. Students must finalise their projects (either individual or pairs ONLY). Handout rubric to each students depending on their project choice.
 * 28th of Feb - Week 4:** One period in the computer room for research (Check students progress on their project report handout. Students should be up to point 3 by now. Remind students they need to be doing work on their projects in their own time over the next 2 weeks and you will be checking their progress in 2 weeks time. They should be up to point 5 or 6 by then.)
 * 14th of March - Week 6:** Check students progress on their project report handout (Remind students they should be up to point 5 or 6 by now)
 * 28th of March - Week 8:** Check students progress on their progress report handout. Should be completed point 8. Project is due this week so get students to hand in their progress with their project. **__1st of April all projects due! No excuses!__**
 * Note to teachers: The projects do not need to be marked until term two. The project grades do not need to be included in the semester 1 reports however it is a good idea for you to have some comments on the project to talk about with in parent teacher interviews.
 * //__ TERM 2 __//**
 * 5th of May – Week 2:** All projects must be marked and a list of the students who you think deserve to be entered into the School Science Fair should be emailed to LTO by this date.
 * 18th of May – Week 4:** Science Fair after school – HRE and LTO will be judging the projects on this day. Parents and teachers will be invited to view projects.
 * 25th of May – Week 5:** Announcement of students who have been chosen to enter the Science Talent Search 2011!
 * Registration Closes: __Friday 27th May__ (Week 5 Friday Term 2)**


 * 23rd of June – Week 9:** Afterschool workshop 1 with HRE and LTO
 * __ TERM 3 __**

Creative writing and Experimental research
 * 21st of July – Week 1:** Afterschool workshop 2 with HRE and LTO
 * Experimental Research/Creative Writing must arrive to STAV by __Friday 29th July__**

All other categories
 * 11th of August – Week 4:** Afterschool workshop 3 with HRE and LTO
 * All other categories attend judging day __Saturday 13th August__**


 * Exhibition and Presentation Day: __Wednesday 2nd November__**


 * Maribyrnong College Science Fair: __Wednesday 18th May__ (Week 4 Wednesday Term 2)**


 * The Science Talent Search STAV Official Handbook 2011 (which we are aiming to achieve in-house for projects in the Maribyrnong College science fair. Winners of the College fair can go into the state STS competition)**


 * Videos**

Working models

Posters



Photography

Inventions

Experiments

Creative writing

Computer games

Board games

Also, a planning page that helps students think about what a good project ultimately has, such as who would want/need it, how many, and how much would they pay for it.