Scotch College

Challenging, rewarding day for science competition award winners

Four talented Scotch boys enthusiastically participated in a prize-giving ceremony and workshop in Sydney last November.

Words: ALEX DENNIS • YEAR 10

Last November, a prize-giving ceremony was held to acknowledge the achievements of students who received perfect scores in the Rio Tinto Big Science Competition.

Approximately 35,000 students from all over Australia participated in the competition, which was held in May 2007. Of the 35,000 entrants, 74 students achieved perfect scores. Of these, four Scotch boys were invited to the ceremony at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Dinesh Giritharan of Year 7, Edwin Huang and Eric Hsiao of Year 8 and Alex Dennis of Year 9 attended the ceremony, which included a two-hour science workshop and presentation of the awards.

We first participated in the workshop, which aimed to challenge our minds and make us think in new and different ways. The first challenge we were given was to build the best possible structure we could with limited materials and limited time. In our groups, which included award winners from all over Australia, we were also asked to think about and discuss the seriousness of global warming. We then had to design a product which would communicate the effects and dangers of global warming to the public.

The final part of the ceremony was the presentation of the awards to the students. Dr Alan Finkel, a neuroscientist who co-founded the science magazine Cosmos, gave a keynote address to the prizewinners and parents. He talked about some of the important decisions he has had to make throughout his life about his career options and education. He also discussed some of the greatest scientific projects which are currently being undertaken, and the effect they are having on modern science.

Among other projects, Dr Finkel spoke about Blue Brain, which is aiming to create a computer simulation of a tiny piece of the human brain. This task, he explained, is almost impossible to achieve with modern-day technology, but when accomplished will signify a huge advance in understanding the complexities of the human brain. The keynote address was very enlightening and gave a great insight into the immense work being undertaken in modern science.

Mr Cameron Jones, senior adviser for the environment at Rio Tinto, then presented the prizewinners with their awards.

Overall the day was a valuable learning experience that gave a great insight into modern science and also recognised the achievements of the students who had received perfect scores in the competition. GS

Alex Dennis (left) with other award winners in the Rio Tinto Big

Science Competition

Alex Dennis receives his award from Cameron Jones, Rio Tinto