Oliphant Science Awards registrations now open for all R to 7 Students.
Growth rates in employment in STEM occupations have been far above average in recent years, when compared with other career opportunities. It is projected that high levels of growth will continue into the future, with above national average payrates for most STEM employees. Supporting students to enter the Oliphant Science Awards is a wonderful way to further develop interests and skills in Science and Maths.
Seacliff Primary began supporting students with Oliphant Science Awards entries in 2007. That year, our students won an Advertiser trophy for their efforts.
In 2009, one of our students was runner-up Young Scientist of the Year for South Australia.
In 2010, our Year 1 and 2 students scooped up 20% of the awards available to Junior Primary students across the state.
Students teaching other classes about their Oliphant Science discoveries.
2015 Oliphant Science Awards winners from Seacliff Primary School.
Several of our students, over the years, have had their entries automatically passed on to the National BHP Science and Engineering Awards after judging, due to quality and inventiveness.
Some years, of course, we have had no wins or highly commended, despite some incredible offerings being submitted, but that’s just how competitions go. (Our most recently awarded entries were in 2019).
Hopefully, the satisfaction for the students is in being creative, investigating about a topic of interest, collaborating with others, linking with community specialists, gaining new skills, knowledge and understandings, achieving personal goals and inspiring future ambitions, rather than in winning.
Every now and then, we hear satisfying stories of past students now successfully employed in STEM careers.
We recognize all of the parents and carers who have worked so hard to support their children with Oliphant Science Awards entries in the past.
Seacliff Primary will be offering Oliphant Science Awards involvement for all of the students of the school, R to 7, again this year. You will be notified on your Qkr app when payment and registration opportunities are open.
Students sharing their Oliphant Science learning with the school’s staff members, during staff meeting.
Most teachers prefer to have students do all related work at home, with parents, although they support through their general Science, Technology and Maths programs. However, some classes will be running in-class focuses with all of their students. Check with your child’s teacher to find out their preferences.
Cost of entry will be $19 for a group entry, (up to 3 students partnering up, for certain categories), and $11 for an individual entry. Categories are Games, Models & Inventions, Multimedia, Photography, Posters, Science Writing, Science Inquiry and Programming, Apps & Robotics.
Year level groups for entries will be R to 2, Years 3 & 4, Years 5 & 6 and Years 7 & 8. If, say, a Year 6 works on an entry with a Year 7, the entry will be judged in the Year 7 & 8 category. If a Year 4 teams up with a Year 5, the entry will be judged in the Year 5 & 6 category.
Parents will be responsible for uploading their child’s entry, (or UP students may be able to do this themselves).
Relevant dates for our school, which may be different from those on the SASTA website, include:
- May 27th, (Thursday of Week 5, Term 2): School registrations close
- July 1st to July 21st, (mainly school holiday dates): Entries for the following categories to be uploaded on the Oliphant Science site:- Multimedia, Science Writing, Scientific Inquiry, Reports for Computer Programming, Apps & Robotics.
- Monday 16th of August, (Week 5, Term 3):- Entries for Models & Investigations, Photography, Games and Posters must be delivered to the teacher prep room at our school.
Due to COVID restrictions, the SASTA Oliphant Science Open Day will possibly be virtual and online, as it was last year.
Seacliff Primary does not support entries in the Crystal Growing category, due to difficulties with obtaining necessary materials.
Please Google ‘Oliphant Science Awards 2021’ for further information and to download a useful information booklet.
Please email brian.schiller977@schools.sa.edu.au (Year 3 Teacher for 2021), with any questions or discussion, and watch your Qkr app.
