ASTA iCubed Science Awards Presentation Honours Top Young Scientists

The ASTA iCubed Awards, a national science competition celebrating the three I’s – inquiry, innovation and ingenuity – of Australian school students, held its awards ceremony on 25 March, recognising the brightest young minds in science and technology. The virtual event featured esteemed guests, Professor Lyn Beazley AO, Dr Bobby Cerini, Deputy Director of Questacon, and Tony Hunter, Food Futurist, who presented the prizes to junior and senior students, and messages from Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, the Hon Ed Husic.

Across the country, either as classroom tasks or independently, students from kindergarten to year 12 complete authentic independent scientific research projects or design innovative new technologies. Science and engineering competitions in each state encourage and support students and recognise their success. ASTA President Margaret Shepherd said ‘These national awards recognise some of the most promising young scientists in Australia. Nationally we are looking at the best of the best. We received 103 nominations from students who excelled in their state science and engineering competitions.’

The projects demonstrated a great deal of creativity, innovation, and technical skill. With projects ranging from new technologies to reduce heat stress in building designs, innovations to support environmental sustainability and inventions to increase health and safety.

Of these 103 projects, judges selected 8 finalists for consideration by a senior judging panel that included representatives from the Australian Academy of Science, AARNet, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, CSIRO and the National Science Teachers Association in the USA. Projects were evaluated on their scientific merit, technical skill, innovation, and potential impact and benefits to society, with NSW students claiming many of the awards.

ASTA President Margaret Shepherd congratulated all participants, saying, ‘I am thrilled to see so many young people passionate about science and technology. Your creativity and ingenuity are inspiring, and I have no doubt that you will go on to make significant contributions to the scientific community and to society as a whole.’

The federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources also shared a message of support and congratulations to the winners and all nominees, highlighting the important role that science teachers play in inspiring their students to be passionate and curious.

‘To the students nominated here tonight, the winners and the finalists, congratulations on all of your achievements. The ASTA iCubed Science Awards is a wonderful initiative showcasing the best of our emerging scientific talent and creativity. Talented and driven young Australians like you are going to be part of Australia’s future.’ said Minister Husic.

‘We were blown away by the quality of the entries,’ said the judges. ‘Their projects are a testament to the strength of science education in this country. The students demonstrated not only scientific excellence but also a deep understanding of the social and environmental issues that affect our world. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their achievements.’

Tony Hunter, a Food Futurist, provided a keynote for the ceremony, focusing on how traditional agricultural practices won’t be sufficient to feed the expected 11 million entities on Earth in 2050. He noted that our increased demand for innovative and creative ideas to solve global challenges can be solved by the brilliant young scientists that competed in this year’s competition.

The ASTA iCubed Awards were sponsored by Questacon and UNICEF. Final projects can be viewed on the virtual fair: https://i3awards.org.au/i3-virtual-fair/ , including NSW award winning projects:

Grand prize winner for Ingenuity – Ellie Cole from NSW

Driving towards healthier air. Invention of a new device to optimise air quality for vehicle occupants in the tunnels of Sydney: The Car Canary.

Grand prize winner for Innovation – Tim Wilson from NSW

Cuddle and Comfort Chimp: an innovative soft robotic sleep aid.

Grand prize winner for Inquiry – Nevada Guiance from NSW

Determining the Quenching Mechanism of a Coumarin Fluorophore by Ascorbate: Experimental Confirmation of the Inner Filter Effect.

Highly Commended – Ibrahim Ozcan from NSW

Intermediate Innovation Award – Emma Zhang from ACT

Omega-type metamaterial with low-loss design elements and a negative refractive index at the 21-cm line.