The recent Young Scientist 2008 Awards presentation was a proud moment for all of us involved in MyScience – students, parents, teachers, principals, mentors and project team members from ACU, DET, IBM and Sydney University. This year, 50% of the awards in the primary category were given to MyScience students. There were over 500 primary school teams that submitted entries to the Young Scientist Award Scheme and only 24 finalists. Of these 12 were from MyScience schools: Beecroft PS, Beresford Road PS, Quakers Hill PS and Quakers Hill East PS. In addition, seven teams from both Beecroft PS and Quakers Hill Public School were each given a Certificate of Excellence, a secondary award also indicating submissions of a high standard.
The Budding Young Scientist Award, the K-2 equivalent of the Young Scientist Award was given to students from Quakers Hill Public School.
The Arup Built Environment Award, given to the primary entry that best demonstrates scientific/engineering efficiency, resource planning, structural design and/or environmental sustainability was awarded to students from Beecroft Public School.
In his address to the audience on behalf of the NSW Minister of Education, Lindsay Wasson, Director of the Department of Education, Western Region paid tribute to the efforts of those involved in MyScience and acknowledged the impact the program has made in primary science education so far.
Congratulations to all the award winners and their teachers, principals and mentors!
