Science Education News (SEN) Journal 2017 Volume 66 Number 4 December 2017 | Page 15

ASSOCIATION NEWS 2017 Young Scientist Awards (continued) 2017 STANSW Young Scientist Presentation Ceremony hosted by the University of Wollongong Dressed in specially-designed Sebel shirts, adorned with ISEF medal and lanyard full of pins, the Young Scientist 2017 ISEF finalists took an active role in the running of the presentations. Positioned on the main stage as guests of honour, the ISEF finalists assisted in the presentation of a certificate and cheque to each category winner and Eleanor Lawton-Wade even read out some of the awards. An added feature of the evening was the grape-coloured Postura-Max chairs that the girls were sitting on. Sebel Furniture organised for the Young Scientist logo and the Sebel graphic that adorns the ISEF shirts to be heat-stamped onto the Sebel chairs. During the night the 2017 ISEF students received numerous deserved commendations, and it was significant that three of the seven US representatives backed up with new award-winning projects for this year’s Young Scientist Awards. On Wednesday, 1st November, the University of Wollongong hosted the STANSW Young Scientist Awards Ceremony for the fifth consecutive year. 400 finalists and guests attended the ‘Celebration of STEM’, with a record 109 students receiving awards, 13 more than our previous best set last year. We had 57 primary and 52 secondary finalists and 58% of all prizes were won by girls. 38 NSW schools were represented at the event, with 16 DET schools, 16 Independent schools and 6 Catholic schools. Nine of these award-winning schools were regional schools. Our 2017 STANSW Young Scientist Coordinator, Ann Hanna, was the MC for the event, and Associate Professor Rodney Vickers welcomed all visitors to the University of Wollongong. He later presented awards to the K-6 scientific investigation winners with the help of Macinley Butson, the 2016 Sebel Young Scientist of the Year. Interview with our first ever ISEF 1st Place Grand Award winner To recognise Macinley Butson’s outstanding feat of winning a 1st Place Grand Award at the 2017 ISEF competition, Stuart Garth, the Young Scientist ISEF Director, interviewed Macinley about her Smart Shield, her ISEF experience, and the subsequent trip to Sweden and her TED talk that followed. Macinley Butson (left) and Associate Professor Rodney Vickers (right) presenting Will McKenzie, Dubbo South Public School, with his investigation award. 2017 ISEF Finalists share their amazing Los Angeles experience A special multimedia presentation was premiered during the Ceremony, featuring the 2017 ISEF experience of our all-girl team. The video showed all five major awards won by our team, and provided an excellent snapshot of the intensity and enjoyment of that special week. 15 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 66 NO 4