Primary Age Groups for 2021: Years K-2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-6

Category Awards  (36 prizes)

(i) Working Scientifically: STANSW Scientific Investigation Awards (Science Teachers’ Association of New South Wales):

• Six of the best scientific investigations in Years K-2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-6

(ii) Working Technologically: Inventions and Innovations Awards

• Three of the best inventions or innovative devices or ICT applications in Years K-2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-6

(iii) Working Mathematically: Working Mathematically Awards

• Three of the projects that best incorporate the interrelated components of Working Mathematically in their investigation or technology project in Years K-2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-6

Age group	Working Scientifically	Working Technologically	Working Mathematically
Years K-2	$100 for best 6 Scientific Investigations	$100 for best 3 Innovative Devices	$100 for 3 projects that best incorporate Working Mathematically
Years 3-4	$125 for best 6 Scientific Investigations	$125 for best 3 Innovative Devices	$125 for 3 projects that best incorporate Working Mathematically
Years 5-6	$150 for best 6 Scientific Investigations	$150 for best 3 Innovative Devices	$150 for 3 projects that best incorporate Working Mathematically

STANSW Most Promising Awards  (2 prizes)

Monetary prizes of $100 for projects that were not prizewinners but have the potential to develop into top-level projects.

Sponsored Awards  (9 specific K-6 prizes and other possible K-12 prizes)

• AARNet Communications Award (Australia’s Academic and Research Network) Awarded to two Years K-6 entries in each of the categories of Working Scientifically, Working Technologically and Working Mathematically that incorporate the best use of electronic communications AARNet Electronic Communications Awards Judging Criteria
• RACI Chemistry Encouragement Award (Royal Australian Chemical Institute NSW)  Awarded to a primary student demonstrating ability, skill and promise for chemistry RACI Chemistry Encouragement Award Criteria
• AIP Most Outstanding Physics Award (Australian Institute of Physics)  For three K-12 students who best represents the theme, “Drones, Droids and Robots” AIP Most Outstanding Physics Award Criteria
• Sebel Testing and Evaluation Awards  three K-12 students who incorporate the most extensive testing or evaluation routine in their investigation or innovation (still to be confirmed).
• Primary Environment Award – for the project that best addresses a significant environmental issue or adds to our understanding of the natural environment.
• Australian Water Association (AWA) Sustainable Water Prize Awarded to a K-6 project that best deals with the issues of water conservation and management

Grand Awards (3 prizes sponsored by Rowe Scientific)

Primary Young Scientist

               Rural Primary Young Scientist

Budding Young Scientist

Certificates for everyone who enters:

High Distinction Certificate  for every student who achieves a level 5 against the rubric.

Distinction Certificate for every student who achieves a level 4 against the rubric.

Credit Certificate for every student who achieves a level 3 against the rubric.

Certificate of Commendation for other state-level finalists.

Certificates of Participation for every student entry at school level.

2021 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards

Please note changes to BHPFSEA organisation in 2020/2021

Each State and Territory Science Teachers Association has been invited to nominate up to 5 Primary and 5 Secondary projects to the BHPFSEA 2021 competition. In NSW, these nominees will be chosen by a special panel of judges assembled by the STANSW Young Scientist Awards committee. NSW nominees will be contacted directly by the committee once the judges have made their decisions. 

Please see details of the 2021 BHPFSEA nomination process here. 

Thanks go to our supporters for providing encouragement to students, teachers and schools and for making these prizes possible.