We are most thankful to these students who have given their consent for their projects to be accessible for anyone to view. As prizewinners, these projects are exemplars for what a good project looks like. The majority of these projects satisfied the Level 5 criteria on their respective Judging Rubrics, which was the top level obtainable in 2019.
For teachers, parents and students new to science projects, this is the best resource you will ever find. There is no set formula for setting out a project, however, following the order of one or two of these projects is the best way to start.
Finally, don’t be overawed by the standard of some of these projects. Most of these students started their projects with a similar feeling, however, as they got going and started meeting the different criteria one by one, they then quickly realised that any student is capable of producing a top level project.
SECTION 1 – CATEGORY PRIZES | ||
Category: MANSW Working Mathematically Awards | ||
Years K-2 | Equal 1st | Tiffany Kouhis, PLC Sydney, Pet Poo for Plants? report logbook |
Romilly Merani, PLC Sydney, My Big Berry Beautiful Blueberry Project report logbook | ||
Bert McCutcheon, Castle Cove Public School, How Well Did My Cricket Team Go? report | ||
Years 3-4 | Equal 1st | Karmichael Candra, Redeemer Baptist School, Which Hair Dryer Mode Is Better to Dry Your Hair, Hot Air or Cold Air? report logbook |
Imogen Chee, PLC Sydney, Uncool Cucumbers summary | ||
Maximilian Tietz, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, What makes packaged lunches unhealthy? report | ||
Years 5-6 | Equal 1st | Ariahna Giann, Darius Giann & Marirose Giann, Drummoyne Public School, Multiple Choice Tests: Can they be fluked? report |
Abby McCutcheon, Castle Cove Public School, The effect of recycled paper on seed germination report logbook | ||
Ruben Merani, Newington College, Dazzling and Daring Drive Time Dissertation report logbook | ||
Years 7-8 | 1st | Akira Naumovski, Smith’s Hill High School, Do-It-Yourself Facial Recognition System report data |
2nd | Dean Chapman, McAuley Catholic College, The effect of irrigation on the quality and quantity of a triticale crop grown for hay production report logbook | |
3rd | Danielle Gibson, Redeemer Baptist School, How Much Sugar? Using fermentation to determine the sugar content of fruit report logbook | |
Years 9-10 | 1st | Edward Garth, Redeemer Baptist School, A mathematical analysis of 134 intersection types for the purpose of developing a quicker, less variated and safer trip algorithm report intersection data logbook |
2nd | Jade Johnston, St Paul’s Catholic College, How does the size of a propeller affect its motion? report logbook | |
3rd | Ellis Kapsis, Aquinas Catholic College, Remote Controlled Car Friction Test report logbook | |
Years 11 -12 | 1st | Judd Katz, Moriah College, Calculation of Dark Matter Mass in S0 Galaxy NGC3115 – Galaxy Mass Discrepancy and Escape Velocity Analysis Science Extension research paper portfolio |
2nd | Wilson Jiang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Pendulum Motion! report logbook | |
3rd | Adithya Manoj, Redeemer Baptist School, Determining the diffusion of carbon dioxide through commercial soft drink bottles Maths Extension 1 report logbook | |
Category: OSHClub Inventions and Innovations Awards | ||
Years K-2 | Equal 1st | Austen An, Harrison Luu & Luca Pica, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, BrightBin report logbook video |
Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialsk & Christian Strumendo, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, R.C.B.O.C (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian) report survey videos | ||
Hayley Prodinger, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Avery the Reminder Cat folio logbook | ||
Years 3-4 | Equal 1st | Jackson Macdonald & Oliver Schlosser, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, WaterBOT report logbook video |
Kingston Rahme & Mitchell Whiley, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, Robot Head report logbook video | ||
Neomi Verma, Abbotsleigh, D.D.D Daily Diabetes Diary – an app for kids summary | ||
Years 5-6 | Equal 1st | James Bestic, Castle Cove Public School, SAS – Safe Air Schools report logbook video |
Jasmine Civardi & Zara Portolesi, St Ambrose Catholic Primary School Concord West, Wheelchair Caddy folio logbook | ||
Mims Clarke, PLC Sydney, Hairy Potter folio logbook video | ||
Category: iTE Innovations and Engineering Design Awards | ||
Years 7-8 | 1st | Harshan Someshwar, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Generating electricity from pressurised water supplied for domestic use report logbook |
2nd | Amy De Friskbom, Sapphire Coast Anglican College, Pootastic report | |
3rd | Jed Kay, Moriah War Memorial College, All Terrain: Unmanned Transport folio video poster | |
Years 9-10 | 1st | Trisha Chari, Meriden School, Flood detector and alert system for minor flooding report logbook |
2nd | Gokulraj Kuppusamy & Ethan Tjhin, Redeemer Baptist School, Methane On Wheels report logbook | |
3rd | Kiara Sun, James Ruse Agricultural High School, The Electromagnetic Space Debris Collector (ESDC) summary | |
Years 11-12 | 1st | Molly Dixon, Wenona, Vinnie – Solar-powered talking clothing donation bank HSC D&T portfolio video |
2nd | Callum Taylor, The King’s School, AgX summary | |
3rd | Nathan Chan, Barker College, Float Buddy summary | |
Category: Scientific Investigations | ||
Years K-2 | Equal 1st | Connor Fleeton & Ericha Koutsogiannopoulos, Sylvania Heights Public School, Sound: How can I make my music box sound louder? report logbook |
Anabelle Green, Northern Beaches Christian School, Eggsperimenting: How drink choices affect our teeth report | ||
Billy Herb & Zac Kourouche, Sylvania Heights Public School, Black & White – It’s getting hot in here! report logbook | ||
Romilly Merani, PLC Sydney, My Big Berry Beautiful Blueberry Project report logbook | ||
Grace Metcalfe, Northern Beaches Christian School, Does the outside temperature affect how much electricity is used at home? report logbook | ||
Scarlett Pawson, Oak Flats Public School, Bioplastic report logbook | ||
Years 3-4 | Equal 1st | Lillian Azzi, Redeemer Baptist School, Washing Dishes: Bacteria alert report logbook |
Karmichael Candra, Redeemer Baptist School, Which Hair Dryer Mode Is Better to Dry Your Hair, Hot Air or Cold Air? report logbook | ||
Joshua Cronin, Newington College, Which Water is Safer to Drink? report | ||
Will McKenzie, Dubbo South Public School, Can Will’s Water Wobot water the lawn more evenly than a sprinkler? report video | ||
Sofie Randell, Glenhaven Public School, Is your bench eco clean? report logbook | ||
Simon Smith, Arden Anglican Primary School, An investigation into the effectiveness of the 5:2 diet report logbook | ||
Years 5-6 | Equal 1st | Mims Clarke, PLC Sydney, Hairy Potter folio logbook video |
Carmen Dyer, Crestwood PS, Meringue chemistry – Beat em up report logbook | ||
Amelie Haigh and Ellie Kwan, PLC Sydney, Plants Bright Future report and logbook | ||
Scott Manley, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Reducing Bacteria Growth with Common Household Items report logbook | ||
Sebastian Wong, Newington College, How Much Sleep Does Your Body Really Need? report logbook | ||
Emma Wood, Castle Cove Public School, Cost of a Winning Smile report logbook | ||
Category: Scientific Investigations – Biology | ||
Years 7-8 | 1st | Billie Ronis, PLC Sydney, Preventing enzymatic browning in fruits using antioxidants found in tea report logbook |
2nd | Madeline Chang, PLC Sydney, Cleaning bacteria from chopping boards with various cleaning agents summary | |
3rd | Laura Grehan, PLC Sydney, Bacterial growth in reusable water bottles of different materials report logbook | |
Years 9 – 10 | 1st | Zielle Hinton, Inaburra School, Algae for Tea report logbook |
2nd | Jasmin Henson Gallardo, Bishop Druitt College, Germination of Acacia mangium and melanoxylon after being exposed to different pre-sowing treatments report | |
3rd | John Holz, Kildare Catholic College, The thawing temperatures of cryopreserved semen and its effects on spermatozoal motility in equine report logbook | |
Years 11- 12 | 1st | Angelina Arora, Sydney Girls High School, Stranger Danger: A novel approach to cancer research using phenotypic morphing – The correlation between intercellular transfer from cancer-associated fibroblasts and the area of osteosarcoma cells summary |
2nd | Suzanne Jones, Redeemer Baptist School, The Call of the Wild report logbook | |
3rd | Alexander Vaughan, Gosford High School, A model of the impact of probiotics on bacterial dysbiosis in the human gastrointestinal tract Science Extension research paper portfolio | |
Category: Scientific Investigations – Chemistry | ||
Years 7- 8 | 1st | Danielle Gibson, Redeemer Baptist School, How Much Sugar? Using fermentation to determine the sugar content of fruit report logbook |
2nd | Tilly Howard, Bishop Druitt College, Shower thoughts – what’s in my shampoo? report logbook | |
3rd | Vasili Filippatos & Jack Rudd, Newington College, A scientific investigation to determine the particle size that creates the quickest rate of chemical reaction report logbook | |
Years 9-10 | 1st | Dong Duong (Dylan) Nguyen, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Improving the effectiveness of water purification tablets with heat report logbook |
2nd | Vincent Ng, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Investigation into the utilisation of native Australian plant debris for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water summary | |
3rd | Brielle Papadopoulos, PLC Sydney, From Ordinary to Firefighter: Making fire retardant cloth out of easily accessible ingredients report logbook | |
Years 11-12 | 1st | Eleanor Clifton-Bligh, PLC Sydney, The effect of concentration of surfactant (TTAB) on the morphology of calcium carbonate precipitates summary |
2nd | Rachael Jones, Redeemer Baptist School, A Tear Jerker: A scientific investigation to find the vitamin C levels in each layer of an onion report logbook 1 logbook 2 | |
3rd | Dineth Fernando, James Ruse Agricultural High School, The effect of plasticiser on bioplastics Science Extension research paper | |
Category: Scientific Investigations – Earth & Environmental Science | ||
Years 7-8 | 1st | Dean Chapman, McAuley Catholic College, The effect of irrigation on the quality and quantity of a triticale crop grown for hay production report logbook |
2nd | Eujiny Cho, PLC Sydney, Investigating the effect of three different native Australian halophyte species on the reduction of soil salinity report logbook | |
3rd | Raehana Taoube, PLC Sydney, Is saltwater the saviour? report logbook | |
Years 9-10 | 1st | Julia Cummins, PLC Sydney, Why Silver Might Not Be Gold In Water report logbook |
2nd | Ameline Archis, PLC Sydney, Oyster shells and their ability to control soil acidity report logbook | |
3rd | Clare Racki, PLC Sydney, An Environmental Solution report logbook | |
Years 11-12 | 1st | Emma Serisier, Bishop Druitt College, The use of eggshell waste as a bio-adsorbant of phosphates for water and soil quality Science Extension research paper logbook |
2nd | Angelina Arora, Sydney Girls High School, Green to Clean: Algae – a novel method for oil spill remediation summary | |
3rd | Tsz Yee (Phoebe) Pang, Menai High School, Microplastic: A possible rising tide of plastic affecting an oyster’s filtration Science Extension research paper portfolio | |
Category: Scientific Investigations – Physics | ||
Years 7-8 | 1st | Akira Naumovski, Smith’s Hill High School, Do-It-Yourself Facial Recognition System report data |
2nd | Selena Read, PLC Sydney, Relative ultraviolet exposure of different parts of the face with or without hats and sunglasses report logbook | |
3rd | Darren Candra, Redeemer Baptist School, As Straight as an Arrow report logbook | |
Years 9-10 | 1st | Angela Rofail, PLC Sydney, Croc around the Block – Can crocodilian adaptations reduce the wind loads on high rise buildings? report logbook |
2nd | Mina Girgis, The Riverina Anglican College, What is the effect of water volume on the power required to maintain it at a certain temperature? report logbook | |
3rd | Leo Hara, Cranbrook School, The effect the blade angle has on the voltage output report | |
Years 11-12 | 1st | Na Zhao, PLC Sydney, An investigation into the effects of temperature on mechanical properties of toad tendons Science Extension research paper portfolio |
2nd | Judd Katz, Moriah College, Calculation of Dark Matter Mass in S0 Galaxy NGC3115 – Galaxy Mass Discrepancy and Escape Velocity Analysis Science Extension research paper portfolio | |
3rd | Sabiqul Hoque, James Ruse Agricultural High School, An investigation into the effect of the strength of a magnetic field on the damping force on a copper plate in a Waltenhofen’s pendulum summary | |
Section 2 – STANSW Most Promising Awards | ||
Years K-6 | Equal 1st | Bethanie Jones, Redeemer Baptist School, Can Plants Reduce Soil Erosion? report logbook |
Amelia Lai & Caitlyn Walker, PLC Sydney, The Dangers of a Lunch Box report logbook | ||
Ronin Naumovski, Wollongong Public School, Shocked by the Power report results | ||
Years 7-12 | Equal 1st | Sienna Biggs, Bishop Druitt College, Does Eye Colour Affect Peripheral Vision? report logbook |
Emma Leggett-Budden, Barker College, EzyLift summary | ||
Charlotte Hopperton, Nowra Anglican College, Behavioural Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Individual Caged Rabbits report | ||
Section 3 – Sponsored Awards | ||
Primary Environment Award – For the project that addresses a significant environmental issue or adds to our understanding of the natural environment | ||
Years K-6 | 1st | Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialsk & Christian Strumendo, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, R.C.B.O.C (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian) report survey videos |
NMI Measurement Awards – Awarded to entries in the category of Scientific Investigations that demonstrate an excellent understanding of measurement | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Na Zhao, PLC Sydney, An investigation into the effects of temperature on mechanical properties of toad tendons Science Extension research paper portfolio |
2nd | Bob Chen, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Investigating and modelling capacitive power transfer: An innovative new method for faster wireless charging report logbook | |
NMI Measurement Awards – Awarded to entries in the category of Working Technologically that demonstrate an excellent understanding of measurement | ||
Years K – 12 | 1st | Gokulraj Kuppusamy & Ethan Tjhin, Redeemer Baptist School, Methane On Wheels report logbook |
2nd | Harshan Someshwar, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Generating electricity from pressurised water supplied for domestic use report logbook | |
NMI Measurement Awards – Awarded to entries in the category of Working Mathematically that demonstrate an excellent understanding of measurement | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Edward Garth, Redeemer Baptist School, A mathematical analysis of 134 intersection types for the purpose of developing a quicker, less variated and safer trip algorithm report intersection data logbook |
2nd | Ruben Merani, Newington College, Dazzling and Daring Drive Time Dissertation report logbook | |
RACI Chemistry Encouragement Awards – Awarded to students who demonstrate ability, skill and promise for chemistry | ||
Years K-6 | 1st | Scarlett Pawson, Oak Flats Public School, Bioplastic report logbook |
Years 7-12 | 1st | Ruth Burns, Redeemer Baptist School, Fast And Furious Equals Slow And Low report logbook |
2nd | Dong Duong Nguyen, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Improving the effectiveness of water purification tablets with heat report logbook | |
ASBMB Award for Excellence in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Angelina Arora, Sydney Girls High School, Stranger Danger: A novel approach to cancer research using phenotypic morphing – The correlation between intercellular transfer from cancer-associated fibroblasts and the area of osteosarcoma cells summary |
AARNet Communications Award Awards – Awarded to students with the best use of electronic communications in Scientific Investigations | ||
Years K-6 | Equal 1st | Connor Fleeton & Ericha Koutsogiannopoulos, Sylvania Heights Public School, Sound: How can I make my music box sound louder? report logbook |
Will McKenzie, Dubbo South Public School, Can Will’s Water Wobot water the lawn more evenly than a sprinkler? report video | ||
Years 7-12 | Equal 1st | Scarlet Gray, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, CPR Bicycle Light report |
Akira Naumovski, Smith’s Hill High School, Do-It-Yourself Facial Recognition System report data | ||
AARNet Communications Award Awards – Awarded to students with the best use of electronic communications in Working Technologically | ||
Years K-6 | Equal 1st | James Bestic, Castle Cove Public School, SAS – Safe Air Schools report logbook video |
Hayley Prodinger, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Avery the Reminder Cat folio logbook | ||
Years 7-12 | Equal 1st | Jordan Salmon, Clancy College, MobiPark HSC D&T portfolio videos |
Callum Taylor, The King’s School, AgX summary | ||
AARNet Communications Award Awards – Awarded to students with the best use of electronic communications in Working Mathematically | ||
Years K-6 | Equal 1st | Nick Farley, Castle Cove Public School, WiFi in my Classroom report logbook |
Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialsk & Christian Strumendo, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, R.C.B.O.C (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian) report survey videos | ||
Years 7-12 | Equal 1st | Meg Emery, Kildare Catholic College, Uncertainties in extrapolated historic measures of double stars: Improvements in the precision of double star astrometry and the consequent worth of old data Science Extension Research Paper portfolio |
Emma Serisier, Bishop Druitt College, The use of eggshell waste as a bio-adsorbant of phosphates for water and soil quality Science Extension research paper logbook. | ||
AIP Most Outstanding Physics Awards | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Callum Taylor, The King’s School, AgX summary |
2nd | Rohan Fahey, Barker College, The AutoBin HSC D&T portfolio video | |
3rd | Kingston Rahme & Mitchell Whiley, Knox Grammar Preparatory School, Robot Head report logbook video | |
STEP Environmental Award – Awarded for the best environmental entry | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Suzanne Jones, Redeemer Baptist School, The Call of the Wild report logbook |
Sebel Testing and Evaluation awards – Based on the high level of quality control that Sebel displays in the design and manufacture of their products, they are looking for students who display the same meticulous and rigorous testing of their results or final products | ||
Years K-12 | 1st | Edward Garth, Redeemer Baptist School, A mathematical analysis of 134 intersection types for the purpose of developing a quicker, less variated and safer trip algorithm report intersection data logbook |
2nd | Ivan Wallace, Redeemer Baptist School, Debunking the myth of mobile phones at petrol stations Science Extension research paper portfolio video 1 video 2 | |
3rd | Romilly Merani, PLC Sydney, My Big Berry Beautiful Blueberry Project report logbook | |
Rowe Scientific Depth Study Awards – For Year 11 and 12 practical investigations or secondary-sourced investigations that most effectively communicate how their depth study has enabled the student to develop and acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of one or more clearly identified concepts found within or inspired by the syllabus | ||
Years 11-12 | Bronze | Wanning Cai, Meriden School, Modelling Thin Film Interference report logbook |
Halle Cambey, Aquinas Catholic College, Olive Oil Biofuel vs Ethanol report | ||
Hannah Chow & Alison Ma, Sydney Girls High School, Physics Behind a Flying Fox report | ||
Bilal El Omari, Al Amanah College, A solar power steam generator that purifies dirty water and generates electricity report logbook | ||
Kate Ferguson, Melville High School, The effects of acid sulfate soils on sunflower seed yield report portfolio | ||
Sarah Fraanje, Roseville College, Slime moulds ability to habituate to caffeine report logbook | ||
William Graham, Batemans Bay High School, Surface area versus rate of reaction report | ||
Sarah Hens, Menai High School, Is swallowing it enough? Improving the efficacy of esomeprazole report logbook | ||
Liam Jarrett, Wyong Christian Community School, Microbial growth in water report logbook | ||
Tony Le, Marrickville High School, Infectious Disease report logbook | ||
Zoe Morgan, Wyndham College, Effect of wind turbine angle on amount of electricity generated report | ||
Thomas Stevens, Fort Street High School, The Formation of the Jurassic Coast report logbook model | ||
Jack Thomas, The King’s School, The Impact of pH and atmosphere on the growth and antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas fluorescens report logbook | ||
Tara Young, St Joseph’s Regional College, Using an egg model to compare the effects of mammalian erythrocytes subject to osmotic solutions report | ||
Silver | Haider Ali, James Joseph and Ali Ridha, St. Johns College Dubbo, Efficiency of Immobilised Yeast Enzymes report logbook | |
Jowell El-Darwiche, Amity College, Does an expiration date really matter? Determining whether expired vitamin C tablets contain a mass that is less or more titratable acidity per tablet than non-expired vitamin C tablets report | ||
Kirra Gaedt, Wollumbin High School, The impact of rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis on sugarcane growth in saline conditions report | ||
Julian Garratt, Champagnat Catholic College Pagewood, General Practitioner knowledge and awareness of pregabalin abuse and misuse report logbook | ||
Antonio Rajaratnam, Redeemer Baptist School, I do believe in Fairies! I do! I do! report logbook | ||
Gold | Joshua Salama, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Effects of different surfactants on the adsorption of octane vapors summary | |
Section 4 Grand Awards | ||
2019 Budding Young Scientist – Overall best Years K-2 Project (Sponsored by Fizzics Education) |
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Year K-2 | 1st | Romilly Merani, PLC Sydney, My Big Berry Beautiful Blueberry Project report logbook |
2019 Primary Young Scientist – Overall best Years 3-6 Project (Sponsored by Fizzics Education) |
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Year 3-6 | 1st | Emma Wood, Castle Cove Public School, Cost of a Winning Smile report logbook |
2019 Young Scientist of the Year Award – Overall best Project | ||
Year K-12 | 1st | Angelina Arora, Sydney Girls High School, Stranger Danger: A novel approach to cancer research using phenotypic morphing – The correlation between intercellular transfer from cancer-associated fibroblasts and the area of osteosarcoma cells summary |
SECTION 5 – ISEF/BROADCOM FINALISTS | ||
2020 ISEF Finalists – All expenses-paid trip to represent Australia at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Anaheim, California, May 2020 | ||
Finalist | Angelina Arora, Sydney Girls High School, Stranger Danger: A novel approach to cancer research using phenotypic morphing – The correlation between intercellular transfer from cancer-associated fibroblasts and the area of osteosarcoma cells summary | |
Finalist | Judd Katz, Moriah College, Calculation of Dark Matter Mass in S0 Galaxy NGC3115 – Galaxy Mass Discrepancy and Escape Velocity Analysis Science Extension research paper portfolio | |
Finalist | Eleanor Clifton-Bligh, PLC Sydney, The effect of concentration of surfactant (TTAB) on the morphology of calcium carbonate precipitates summary | |
Finalist | Emma Serisier, Bishop Druitt College, The use of eggshell waste as a bio-adsorbant of phosphates for water and soil quality Science Extension research paper logbook | |
Finalist | Callum Taylor, The King’s School, AgX summary | |
Finalist | Molly Dixon, Wenona, Vinnie – Solar-powered talking clothing donation bank HSC D&T portfolio video | |
Finalist | Emma Leggett-Budden, Barker College, EzyLift summary | |
Finalist | Jordan Salmon, Clancy College, MobiPark HSC D&T portfolio videos | |
Finalist | John Holz, Kildare Catholic College, The thawing temperatures of cryopreserved semen and its effects on spermatozoal motility in equine report logbook | |
2020 Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate – All expenses-paid trip to represent Australia at the Broadcom MASTERS International program (Sponsor – Broadcom Foundation) |
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Finalist | Akira Naumovski, Smith’s Hill High School, Do-It-Yourself Facial Recognition System report data | |
Honorary Mention | Darren Candra, Redeemer Baptist School, As Straight as an Arrow report logbook |