Chemical Education Group

Chair

Ian McMahon
Thebarton Senior College, Ashley Street Torrensville SA 5031
Phone: 08 8352 5811, Email: ian.mcmahon@tsc.sa.edu.au

News

<click to download 2006 activities>

Competitions and Awards

• Merit Award for top marks in Chemistry in the SSABSA year 12 exam
  
  Left: Jasmine Blight of Trinity College receiving her year 12 (2005) Merit Award in Chemistry, from Chair Keith Quast (L). Luke Thompson (R) is the proud Head Master.

   

• Below: Jasmine with her parents.
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Crystal Growing Competition

• Chemical Analysis Competition

• Stranks Medal (criteria and nomination form)
  Key dates: Nominations close 30^th June
                  Selection announced 30^th September
                  Medal awarded before 3^1st December.
  

• Murder Mystery held at Flinders University. Late in term 2. <Click here for 2006 Flyer> (See Events for dates)
  Contact: Dr Stewart Walker. 
  Below: students from Salisbury and Seaford High Schools at a previous Murder Mystery.
  
  
  
  

• National Chemistry Quiz
  

• Oliphant Science Awards

  Proud winners of OSA from previous years receiving certificates from Chemical Education Group Chair, Ian McMahon. (Click on thumbnail to view a larger image):

    

SA Science Teachers Association (SASTA)

• SASTA Calendar - Home Page

• SASTA Professional Development page

Other Activities for Students

BHP-Billiton Science Awards

The BHP Billiton Science Awards are Australia's most prestigious science awards. Every year, Australian students and teachers are invited to enter the competitive awards - students for research projects and teachers for their contribution to the classroom and science education. Run in conjunction with CSIRO , Australia's premier scientific research institution, the awards are open for entry from February to early July each year, with the winners announced in early October. The Awards have been sponsored by BHP Billiton since 1981 and are also managed by BHP Billiton.

The Siemens Science Experience

A programme for students in year 9 run nationally and in South Australia through the three Adelaide Universities. http://www.scienceexperience.com.au/

National Youth Science Forum

This National programme for year 11 students (entering year 12) is held in Canberra in January of each year. The residential 2-week programme explores various aspects of a career in science and engineering, and looks at options for tertiary study. Applications are accepted up until 15 May each year for the following January forum. Applications are processed through local Rotary Clubs with final selection for the highly competitive places determined towards the end of July. The quota for South Australia is about 26 students each year. http://www.nysf.edu.au

Rio Tinto Australia Science Olympiad

Students competing the National Qualifying Examinations must be in year 11 or lower. To be eligible for consideration as an RTASO scholar, students must: - hold an Australian passport or be eligible to obtain one by March; - be under the age of twenty years in July; and - not intend to enrol at a University before July. Schools are invited to nominate up to 4 students each in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Examinations. Additional registrations may be accepted where it can be demonstrated that students have shown outstanding ability and commitment, for example through their involvement in extra-cirricular preparation activities. Each year, the top 100 candidates in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute National Chemistry Quiz are invited to sit the Chemistry Olympiad National Qualifying Examination. http://www.rtaso.org.au/www/index.cfm

Australian Student Mineral Venture

The Ventures are 10-12-day summer schools that are aimed at attracting more of Australia's brightest students to enrol in minerals industry courses at university. Applications for ASMVs are sought from students in upper secondary school, who may be interested in a career in science or engineering and be willing to consider careers in the minerals industry. ASMVs are presented throughout Australia each year, with up to 40 students chosen to attend each Region. Each Region has its own program, but all aim to cover aspects of the Australian minerals industry, including geology, geophysics, extractive metallurgy, surveying, environmental science and mining, mineral, electrical and mechanical engineering.

The vacation programs allow students to find out about careers, lifestyles and opportunities in the minerals industry and investigate university courses that would suit their abilities and preferences in terms of subjects such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology and biology. The ASMVs are fully residential and supervised, with an ASMV Administrator responsible for each Region's program. Hands-on activities are emphasised, and student participation is required through various activities and projects. Applications generally close in September for the following year's ventures in the South East, Central East and North East regions. http://www.asmv.org

Science and Engineering Challenge

The Science and Engineering challenge, or the Challenge as it is better known, is an outreach program conducted by the University of Newcastle. It involves up to 260 students engaging in a number of fun and exciting activities related to science, technology and engineering. The main aim of the Challenge is to encourage junior students to study science at the HSC level, and it's working!

Teachers - If you would like your school to participate in a Challenge competition please contact the Science and Engineering Challenge office and they will put you in contact with a Challenge nearest to you.

Community Members - If there is no Challenge currently held in you local area and you would like to start one, please contact the Science and Engineering Challenge Office for further details. www.newcastle.edu.au/group/challenge/index.html