The first three NSW students have now been selected
The STANSW Young Scientist Committee is pleased to announce the first three finalists who will be representing Australia at the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona in May. These students were selected from our top finalists by our independent ISEF panel: Dagmar Arthur McCloughan (Chair, ACARA Education Consultant), Associate Professor Kerry Hitos (Biomedical Scientist) and Vatche Ansourian (Science Advisor 7-12, NSW Department of Education and Communities)
1st I
SEF Finalist
Jade Moxey, Sapphire Coast Anglican College, The spread of seeds through cattle
This is a project dear to any farmer’s heart! Jade has investigated what seeds are ingested by cattle in her local area and then germinate through their manure. The significance is that plants are then transferred to other areas. Jade showed that a limited number of species beneficial to a farming operation germinated, such as Ryegrass, Kikuyu and Clover. She also found that noxious weeds, such as Fireweed, can easily spread via the rudiments of livestock.
2nd ISEF Finali
st
James Poyitt, Redeemer Baptist School, Leg-e-vator
As anyone who has suffered from leg injury would know, it is often difficult to follow the doctor’s orders and keep it elevated. James saw this struggle when his brother had an injured foot, and decided to do something about it. His device would allow for the correct elevation of an injured leg when a person is seated. James put a lot of work into the final design: a portable, comfortably fitted device that does a simple job well.
3rd ISEF Finalist
Samuel Kantor, Moriah College, Eye Connect
For individuals with upper body paralysis, assistive software is often necessary to access digital technology. Samuel saw just how expensive this software could be, and created “Eye Connect”, the first free cross-platform assistive software for upper body paralysis. The software may be controlled by small movements of the head or the blink of an eye, using a computer’s built-in webcam. It is an affordable alternative to conventional methods to assist the severely disabled from impoverished backgrounds.
We are grateful for our new Major Sponsor, Sebel Furniture, who has provided the funds to send these three students to the 2016 ISEF at Phoenix. We are also pleased to inform every NSW student and teacher that Sebel will also be funding a trip to 2017 ISEF at Los Angeles for the best students in the upcoming 2016 STANSW Young Scientist Awards, which previously has involved a trip to Disneyland.
Sebel Furniture: Major Sponsor has provided funds for 3 finalists and 1 chaperone and they have indicated if we can source another $6,000 then they will complement this with more funds to enable a team of 6 students and 2 chaperones to represent Young Scientist at ISEF 2016 at Phoenix! We therefore request extra sponsorship from any potential sponsor who would like to support our International program to enable us to gather this extra $6,000. We can then open the last three envelopes and have a team of 6 students, once again due to the generosity of Sebel Furniture: Major Sponsor.
Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate
For the last three years, the STANSW Young Scientist ISEF team have been accompanied by a Year 7 or 8 student who has joined 25 other international delegates, taking part in a special program for middle school students that runs in conjunction with ISEF. The Year 7 or 8 student is selected for their ability to conduct an outstanding science project and a keen ability to communicate their findings at a high level. The winner of this all-expenses paid trip to Phoenix, funded by Broadcom is:
Lily Yang, Meriden School, The effects of taste on memory
Lily investigated the effects of taste on memory. Three groups of 10 subjects were either given no drink, a drink they liked or a drink they disliked before viewing some visual material. They were then given 10 questions on a piece of paper 20 minutes after viewing this material and the data collected from this investigation concluded that the effects of taste on memories of facts and information were not beneficial, but rather negative.
Jade’s presentation was well received and the group, which included BOSTES Science Inspector, Kerry Sheehan, provided constructive feedback to assist her with her presentation skills and responses to scientific questions. Jade will next present her investigation, with our five other finalists, to a panel of judges at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona in May.
been made possible by Sebel Furniture, an Australian company founded by Harry Sebel 60 years ago. Sebel Furniture has been providing chairs and furnishings for NSW schools for many years and they see this sponsorship as a way of giving something back to the NSW educational sector who have been most supportive of their business for these years.
