2023 STANSW Young Scientist Awards Presentation Ceremony
Sponsored Awards
Primary Environment Award
Awarded to the primary school project that best addresses a significant environmental issue or adds to our understanding of the natural environment
Thomas McCloskey , Newington College , Sitting on the fence : a scientific study of whether nocturnal urban wildlife uses the top of backyard fences as pathways to other gardens
Driven by scientific curiosity and a love of wildlife , Thomas used a motion-detecting wildlife camera to investigate what nocturnal species may have been using his backyard . Analysing data from 102 videos captured over 62 days , he found that a family of ringtail possums were using the fences to move between houses as well as cats and black rats .
STEP Environmental Award
Awarded for the best project relating to environmental protection and conservation
Isabelle Fisher , Roseville College , Investigating the effects of an established arbuscular mycorrhizal network on seed germination and seedling growth for Acacia linifolia and Acacia ulicifolia
Isabelle ’ s research demonstrated that the presence of a mycorrhizal ( fungal ) network had a positive impact on the rate of germination and seedling growth of two Acacia species . This finding could have direct and immediate relevance to local bush regeneration methods for native species , many of which have very specific requirements for germination .
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