Secondary Age Groups for 2021: Years 7-8, Years 9-10 and Years 11-12

Category Awards  (54 prizes)

(i) Working Scientifically: STANSW Scientific Investigation Awards (Science Teachers’ Association of New South Wales). The Years 11-12 Working Scientifically awards are sponsored by Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd.

Three of the best scientific investigations in each of the disciplines:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Physics

(ii) Working Technologically: Innovation and Engineering Design Awards.  Three of the best innovative devices or applications in each age group.

(iii) Working Mathematically: Working Mathematically Awards. Three of the projects in each age group that best incorporate the interrelated components of Working Mathematically in their investigation or innovation.

Age group	First Place	Second Place	Third Place
Years 7-8	$200	$150	$100
Years 9-10	$250	$200	$150
Years 11-12	$350	$250	$200

STANSW Most Promising Awards*  (4 prizes)

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

Sponsored Awards  (up to 24 committed prizes)

• AARNet Communications Award (Australia’s Academic and Research Network) Awarded to two Years 7-12 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
• STEP Environmental Award   Awarded for the best environmental entry STEP Environmental Award Criteria
• ASBMB Award (Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)  Awarded for an entry that displays good understanding of processes in molecular biology ASBMB 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
• RACI Chemistry Encouragement Award (Royal Australian Chemical Institute NSW)  Awarded to the best two secondary students demonstrating ability, skill and promise for chemistry  RACI Chemistry Encouragement Award Criteria
• Rowe Scientific Depth Study Awards  Awarded to the best 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. 
• 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).
• Australian Water Association (AWA) Sustainable Water Prize Awarded to a Secondary project that best deals with the issues of water conservation and management

Grand Awards  

• 2021 Young Scientist of the Year Award  $2000 award to the student who submits the most outstanding project overall.  
• 2021 ISEF Prize  (TBC) Subject to funding from our major sponsors and pending announcement of details for the 2022 Regeneron ISEF. 
• 2021 Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate (TBC) Subject to funding from our major sponsors and pending announcement of details for  Broadcom MASTERS International. The selected student must be a prizewinner, a good communicator and be born after 17th May 2006.
• 2021 Broadcom MASTERS International Honorary Mention  (TBC) One student with a top entry from Years 7-8 will be selected as a reserve for the Broadcom MASTERS International delegate. The selected student, who will receive $100 in cash, must also be a prizewinner, a good communicator and be born after 17th May 2006.

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 Foundation 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.