Building passion and enthusiasm for science and technology in Queenslands young people and unleashing the potential

for growth in the number and quality of future science and engineering professionals who will play their part in the development and enrichment of Australia.
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS 2013

Information for Schools 2013

ATSE Wonder of Science aims to build passion and enthusiasm for science and technology in Queenslands young people. The program is for students in years 6-9 in Queensland schools with a particular focus on schools in rural, remote and indigenous communities. The program has the support of Education Queensland and Regional Executive Directors.. The Wonder of Science challenge involves students undertaking a research project that forms part of their study of science for Term 3. They work on their research project over a period of 7 weeks and then attend a student conference where they present their findings through a competition. The students also respond to questions about the findings. Prizes are awarded to the winning team from each year level. Highlights of the program include: Science project that is compatible with in-class curriculum topics. Support from young research students in the ATSE Young Science Ambassador program and Industry Ambassadors to aid teachers in the promotion of science in the school and support with the science project. Visits will be in Terms 2 and 3. Magazine styled website with regular general science articles and articles that support the National Science Curriculum. Ask-the-Scientist service where teachers and students can ask questions of the Young Science Ambassadors. Industry interaction with students via visits of Industry Ambassadors to schools. Visits to schools by UQ Science demo troupe Program structure: The program is open to students in grades 6 to 9. Schools are invited to nominate classes that will participate in the program as part of their study of science for Term 3. Successful nominated classes will participate in the ATSE Wonder of Science challenge. The students in the class will work in teams of 4 and develop a research project over the 7 week period of the program using a given topic based on the curriculum. This is not an enrichment activity, but the study of science for that year level for that part of the Term. The topics are drawn from the QSA curriculum and are: Year 6 - Earthquakes may or may not produce a tsunami. Investigate Year 7 - Design a solar vehicle to complete one revolution in 10 seconds.

 Year 8 - Design a Rube Goldberg machine to pop a balloon. Year 9 - Changing salt levels can have an impact on eco systems. Investigate this phenomenon. While students will work in teams, they will write up their findings in individual reports. Teachers will be provided with an assessment matrix to assist in this part of the Terms assessment. Towards the end of the 7 week period, the teacher will choose a team of four students to represent the class at a student conference in your local area. This year the conferences will be held in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Emerald and Dalby with others to be added based on demand and resources. Students will present their findings at the conference by means of a competition involving the same year level from other schools. The challenge involves a school team presenting the findings of their research. This is followed by a team from another school responding to and challenging these findings. The reporting team then has an opportunity to reply to the challenge. The judge, or juror, also has an opportunity to ask clarifying questions. A scoring matrix will be supplied before the competition. There will be two rounds, in a round robin format, followed by finals between the highest scoring two teams in each year level. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team from each year level. The Wonder of Science Program will cover transport costs of student team members and their teachers attending the student conference. As the Principal is the Accountable Officer, all communications from ATSE will be through the Principal. Similarly, ATSE will not accept any duty of care obligations. These remain the schools responsibility. Teacher support: ATSE Young Science Ambassadors will provide face-to-face support to schools and ongoing support via email, Skype etc. The Young Science Ambassadors are enthusiastic research students selected from participating Queensland universities. Sponsoring organisations have also been invited to nominate Industry Ambassadors whose role is similar to the Young Student Ambassadors. Schools will be visited by the UQ Science Demo Troupe Ongoing support will be available to individual schools during the 7 week period when classes are doing their science project. Student and teachers will have, transport and TRS reimbursement available. The program support staff will advise the level of support to be provided to each school. Reimbursement will reflect individual schools geographic and transport challenges. Costs will be covered for one team of four students and one teacher to accompany the students.