MORE than 80 students from year 5 to 12 from a range of SA schools came together at the Royal Adelaide Show this week for the grand final of the Food & Fibre Education SA Science Investigation Awards.
Blue ribbons were awarded to students who showed excellence at designing a science experiment and demonstrating their ability to test a hypothesis, control variables and generate results on a topic of their own choice.
AgCommunicators education manager Sarah McDonnell said the competition was a great way to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“We were inundated with interest – so much so that competition was fierce!" she said.
"Schools from metropolitan Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Mid North, Mallee and Riverland regions participated and we supported both the teachers and students throughout the year with in-school visits, presentations and support material," she said.
To select the top entries, four regional preliminary finals were held in the Riverland, Barossa, Golden Grove and at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus.
All entries were judged by professional scientists, educators and people working in the primary industries sector.
"There were a range of engaging topics this year, from testing the effect of processed versus organic food on duck growth and development, assessing the impact of different fertilisers on plant growth and even looking at how food colour affects the growth of plants,” Ms McDonnell said.
“Points were awarded on method, discussion and reflection as well as creativity and scientific application.
"We were impressed by the professionalism of students and overall standard of entries. We are confident that there are a range of upcoming, budding young scientists in SA and we have been proud to foster their science journey."
For each grade, ribbons and cash prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, as well as a special award for Best Food and Fibre Based project.
The winning posters are displayed in the Goyder Pavilion at the Royal Adelaide Show.
RESULTS
Yr 5-7: 1. Grace & Talisha, Keithcot Farm Primary School, ‘Solar Oven’; 2. Josh, Greenwith Primary School, ‘Premium brand vs Home brand’; 3. Skye and Callum, Greenwith Primary School, ‘Eggshell Geodes’.
Best Food & Fibre Based Project Taenysha and Bianca, Glossop Primary School, ‘pH & Salinity’.
Year 8: 1. Chloe, Norwood Morialta High School, ‘How chives grow in different soils’; Tahlia and Lilli, Golden Grove High School, ‘Effect of temperature on reaction time’; 3. Kelsie, Norwood Morialta High School, How rocket grows in different types of liquid’.
Best Food & Fibre Based Project Abi and Deni, Glossop High School, ‘Iron in Food’
Year 9: 1. Kata, Golden Grove High School, ‘Are groupings on 177 lead pellets affected by PSI?’; 2. Anneka, Faith Lutheran College, ‘The effectiveness of firelighters in terms of ignition and burn time’; 3. Eleanor, Cornerstone College, ‘S.Aureus vs E.Coli’.
Best Food & Fibre Based Project Margot and Matilda, Faith Lutheran College, ’Does organic vs commercial diet in ducks affect growth rate’
Year 10-12: 1. Harry and Dylan, Faith Lutheran College, ‘Air Catapult’; 2. Phillipa, Golden Grove High School, ‘Morality and personality’; 3. Jeye and Brianne, Golden Grove High School, ‘The effect of sugar on yeast fermentation’.
